St. Lawrence High School, Agaçaim, carries with it a proud legacy that began in 1964. What started humbly as St. Anthony’s School—the first primary school in the village—was established by the SFN Sisters of the Congregation of the Holy Family, Sancoale, under the leadership of Sr. Maria Celina do Carmo from Neura. With just five dedicated religious teachers and 113 eager students, the institution took its first steps in shaping young minds.
By 1966, as numbers began to dwindle, a new chapter opened through the vision of Rev. Fr. Geraldo da Costa, the first Diocesan Manager and Assistant to the Parish Priest, who with the consent of the congregation (represented by Sr. Mary Visitacão) took over the school. The registers of St. Anthony’s School were merged into what became St. Lawrence High School, formally established in the Parochial House of St. Lawrence Church. Soon, the student strength grew so rapidly that a dedicated school building became a necessity.
In 1970, Mons. Raul Nicolau Gonsalves, then Apostolic Administrator, laid the foundation stone for a new building near the church. Over the decades, the school grew under the tireless efforts of parish priests and managers, among them Fr. Druston da Conceicão Rodrigues, Fr. Bruno A. Diniz, Fr. Antonio Francisco Boaventura Barreto, Fr. Bernado Carlos Vito Alvares Fernandes, Fr. Eusebio Agnelo Ferrão, and Fr. Adrian Furtado. Their stewardship ensured that St. Lawrence High School became a cornerstone of education in Agaçaim.
The Golden Jubilee brought with it a modern three-storey school building, the fruit of Rev. Fr. Cristovão José Rosario Cristo Rei dos Santos Caldeira’s vision, the guidance of Rev. Fr. João Santana de Cristo Rei Colaço, and the generous support of the villagers. This spirit of progress has been upheld by successive managers, including Rev. Fr. Mario José Acacio Leitão, Rev. Fr. Aldrin D’Costa, Rev. Fr. Dominic Savio Rodrigues, Rev. Fr. Francisco Xavier Pereira, and the present Manager, Rev. Fr. Vicente Leonardo Leitão.
Leadership at the helm of academics has been equally rich, starting with the first Headmaster, Prof. Mario Nunes, and continuing through many dedicated principals and headteachers—each leaving their mark on the institution. Today, Ms. Lona da Silva leads as Headmistress, supported by the Confraria, carrying forward the school’s commitment to excellence.
St. Lawrence has always been more than a classroom. On the field, the school has made history: it proudly fielded Goa’s first girls’ football team and produced the first girls’ hockey team to win the North District Championship among D.S.E. schools. Over time, its students have also brought laurels in athletics, chess, and volleyball.
Academically, the school has set benchmarks with consistent 100% results at the S.S.C. Goa Board Examination in recent years. Many of its alumni have gone on to make a mark in society, a testimony to the institution’s role as a true alma mater.