|
 |
|
Beginning
of School |
|
|
Growth of the School:
The Managing Committee spared no pains to acquire buildings
as and when possible. In 1920, it reconstructed No.76, Big Street.
In 1927 it purchased No.40, Big Street, and in 1938 it acquired
No 41, Big Street. In 1941, twelve rooms were added to the main
building The plan the rebuild No. 40/41, Big Street into 20
rooms could not be implemented in 1942 because of the rest4iction
by the Corporation and the Government. The Managing Committee
did not let go any chance of acquiring any land adjacent to
the main buildings or in the vicinity as the accommodation problem
had become chronic with the4 increasing strength of the school.
In 1950, with Governmental interference, the rented building
west of the northern quadrangle and two houses west of the southern
quadrangle were acquired.
In 1948, the committee adopted the shift system to tide over
the accommodation crisis and the centenary celebrations Committee
made it a point to celebrate the Centenary by raising the three
storeyed building comprising 24 rooms. The School had the good
fortune to have Mr. K. Srinivasan of "The Hindu" as
the President of the Managing Committee which enabled the Centenary
celebrations Committee to raise funds easily and profusely to
carry out its programme and it is in no mean measure due to
the tireless efforts of the tall personalities who were closely
associated with the managing committee and we are fortunate
that Mr. V.T. Rangaswami Iyengar who is associated with the
school for nearly 75 years is now at the helm of affairs to
carry on the dedicated work with zeal and joy. Mr.V.T. Rangaswamy
Iyengar has endeared himself to the school by his undiluted
love for his almamater and has won the hearts of not only his
colleagues but also all the employees by his maganimit6y, erudition
and godly nature.
Rt. Hon'ble V.S. Srinivasa Sastriar who was the Headmaster of
the School for nearly seven years, left behind a definite stamp.
That was in the beginning of this century. Then came a gigantic
Headmaster Mr P.A Subramania Iyer, who was the head of institution
for 22 years (1916 to 1938) who moulded the routine and efficiency
of the school being a postmaster in the art of teaching. Thus
a succession of able Headmasters enabled the school to maintain
the high traditions of the school. Next, mention must be made
of the popular and dynamic Headmaster during the grand celebrations
of the centenary of the school and who was instrumental in the
monumental work of raising the Centenary block. As Headmaster
he widened the activities of the School in various spheres.
During his leadership the school opened the Engineering Section
of the Diversified course, undertook long tours to North India
to widen the vision and experience of the teachers, enlarged
the participation in exhibition, arts and crafts, encouraged
the fine arts section of the teachers and boys, introduced the
N.C.C., induced different associations like the Parents Association,
Old Boys Association, Teachers Association etc. to extend their
co-operation to build up the tone and name of the school, and
last but not the least made the teachers take active part in
professional associations like the SITU and made the teachers
attend in large number the annual conferences convened at different
places, he himself setting up a good example by being an office
bearer and by becoming a member of the legislative council to
work for the welfare of the teachers Even when he become an
M.L.C., he always declared that he was more proud to be the
Headmaster of the Hindu Higher School than being an M L.C. For
he always felt that it was the school that gave him all honour
and he never failed to bring honour to the school which brought
him honour.
Mention must be made here that Sri T.P. Srinivasa Varadhan was
responsible under the able and benign guidance of Sri K. Srinivasan
of "The Hindu," for negotiating and acquiring for
the management nearly 100 grounds of land at a nominal price
at Raja Annamalai Puram and that deal later enabled the committee
to encash the land at a much higher price to enable the management
to build a fine magnificent building for the Hostel in Big Street
itself is now called the Hindu Educational Organisation Hostel.
Thanks to the foresight of that mighty Headmaster who enabled
posterity to acquire a good hostel which now houses boys of
the Hindu Higher School and also the Hindu Higher Secondary
School affiliated to the Central Board of Secondary Education
under the same management.
The rebuilding of 40-41, Big Street into pucca building enabled
the library, laboratory, and the Engineering section to move
to that building relieving congestion in the main building.
|
|
|
