History/New School/Full School/Modern School/The Conception/The Educational Reform /Important People/ Head teachers/End

History OF THE SCHOOL  

THE CONCEPTION

During the 1800’s, schooling started to find its rightful role in most districts on Mahé.  The growing need of such an institution became so evident that through the benevolent act of Father Ignace (a Roman Catholic priest), the RC Mission agreed to open a School at Anse Boileau in 1877.

The wooden building, with thatched, ‘latanier’ roof, was divided into three classrooms. The pupils who came primarily from the Anse Boileau district, were placed in mixed age and ability and had the opportunity to learn catechism, and elementary skills in reading, writing and arithmetic.

  In 1884 sisters of the Regina Mundi arrived at the School and they were to form an important part of the daily life of the School, thus commencing a series of nun Head teachers. In September 1893, they were replaced by sisters of Saint-Joseph of Cluny who stayed on until 1989.

DEVELOPMENT OF A New School

With the growing population of the district more classrooms became indispensable necessary.  Moreover, with the ageing wooden buildings, replacement was inevitable.  In September 1956, thanks to continuous pressure from Father Rogatien, the Parish priest, work started on the site.  Anse Boileau was to see a new generation of classrooms, built of bricks.

Eight months later, the first wing comprising of five classrooms, and a staff room, was ready.  The children moved in, in May 1957, with double feelings.  Delighted to be in the new spacious, and airy rooms, but also with a certain nostalgic feeling, especially when part of the decaying building was demolished.  The second wing was completed in August of that same year and the remaining of the old classrooms were pulled down.  With new furniture brought in from the technical center, the whole school was all set  for the third term, i.e. in September, 1957.

The new Anse Boileau School, with its ten classrooms, and a staff room, was officially inaugurated on 16^th September 1957, by the Vicar general, Father Angelin, in the presence of His excellency, the Governor, the Commissioner, Sir R. Surridge and the director for Education, Captain L. Westergreen, among others.  The 317 children with staff and the Head-Teacher, sister Gerard, were proud of their new School.

expansion into a MODERN SCHOOL

Two years after the opening of the new Anse Boileau School, all the seats were taken.  The classrooms were so packed that benches had to be placed along the corridor to accommodate the pupils.

Anse Boileau was serving pupils from Baie-Lazare to Port Glaud.  With the embryo of a modern School already in place, a new extension was necessary, awaiting the construction of new facilities to accommodate the secondary pupils.  Until then, upon leaving standard six (primary 6),  students who passed an entrance examination had to follow secondary schooling in Victoria.

Five additional classrooms were constructed, financed jointly by the RC Mission and the Government, and the secondary cycle was officially opened on 16^th February 1961.  Anse Boileau became a modern school.  The parents nightmares were alleviated.  Their children could continue their secondary education in their own district in they wanted to.

However, schooling was not totally free.  Pupils had to pay a fee of R10 every term.  Those who could not afford were assisted by the Government which at that time was assisting the Roman Catholic Mission to administer the School.

  metamorphosis (THE EDUCATIONAL REFORM)  

In 1970's, Anse Boileau School became a three stream School and started to make a name for itself - be it in the field of sports, academics, and so on.  Following the education reform in 1979, the Government took over the running of all the Mission schools.  The zoning system was also announced, implying that all pupils should attend school in their own district. The secondary cycle was abolished and replaced by nine years of free, compulsory,  primary education.  Thus Anse Boileau School accepted only pupils living at Anse Boileau.

In 1981 the National Youth Service (NYS) was established as the only Secondary institution.  This was a form of Boarding School where pupils stayed for two years. Thus, pupils leaving  Anse Boileau School had to attend the NYS together with other pupils from all the other Schools in Seychelles.  

Ten years later, in 1991, the Secondary cycle was reinstated in the district schools. Primary seven to primary  nine became Secondary one to secondary three respectively.  NYS was also reduced to one year and an additional secondary level was added to Anse Boileau School - the secondary four, which accommodated students from Anse Boileau as well as Baie Lazare.

a fully fledged Secondary School

In 1997, Anse Boileau School was split into a Primary and a Secondary School, with separate administration.  Anse Boileau Primary School was moved to a new location, adjacent to the old School. The Secondary School remained at the old location. Additional facilities were erected and old buildings renovated to welcome Baie Lazare students from secondary 1 to secondary 4.  Anse Boileau Secondary School became a 6-stream school.  With the abolishing of the NYS in December 1998, major reforms took place in the Secondary Schools.  New facilities were constructed to take in yet an additional level in Anse Boileau Secondary School - the secondary 5 level, in January 1999.

Despite the major changes and restructuring of the school, St. Mary's School, Anse Boileau School, and lately Anse Boileau Secondary School, has always been highly respected by the community. The School works very closely with  parents and other agencies and seeks to develop all aspects of the students life.  

Headteachers of Anse Boileau School

Some Important People who made it through Anse Boileau School.

History/New School/Full School/Modern School/The Conception/The Educational Reform /Important People/ Headteachers

Back to The Top