The school had its humble beginning as a middle school in 1921 at Kannadiyurumpu, almost one kilometer away from Pala town. It was instituted by the Franciscan Clarist nuns realizing the significance of women education in women empowerment. The school was named after St Joseph and was known as St. Joseph's English School.
Owing to the meager infrastructure and the limitations regarding the availability of land for developing the school, the governmental authorities directed the school management to shift it to a more convenient place with better access and transportation facilities. In response to this, the current campus of almost one Acre of land is purchased from Mr. Chackochan Olickal in 1923. Under the dynamic leadership of the Servant of God Rev.Fr. Mathew Kadalikattil and the Headmaster Sri. E V Unnicheria steps were taken to shift the school to Pala town. The staunch support of the superiors Rev. Sr. Margareetha Kochampazham and Rev. Sr. Josaphin Thoomkuzhi were instrumental in the shifting of the school to the current campus
Raising the fund to erect the building was a herculean task. Very. Rev. Fr. Anthrayos Kalappurackal, Very. Rev. Fr. Francis Kannamkulam, the members of Catholic Student's League, especially honoured personalities like Mar. Sebastian Vayalil, Very. Rev. Fr. Joseph Porunnolil, Very. Rev. Fr. Balthazar CMI, Sri K C Sebastian Kizhakkekara, Sri. A O Joseph Ancheri, The parish communities of Pala Cathedral Church, Lalam St Mary's Church and Lalam St George Church and the Meenachil Catholic Students Union ...all those hands on deck .. made the dream come true.On 18th May 1925 the school was shifted to the new campus near St Mary's Church Lalam with a new name 'St. Mary's English Middle School'. The school was instituted with Blessed Virgin Mary as the patron and heavenly intercessor. The official inaugural meeting was presided over by the Honourable Chief Justice, The High Court of Kerala, Sri. Raman Thampi.
The former Diwan Sri. E M Wats visited the school and opined to upgrade it to a high school. Thus the foundation stone for the high school was laid finally on in 1928 by Right Rev. Dr. James Kalassery, The building was completed in 1930. Permission was officially granted in the same year to start the fourth form. The headmaster Sri. E V Unnicheria resigned from the post after eight years of devoted service and in 1930 Smt. Mary Joseph Elavumkal B.A.L.T. took office as the headmistress. In the academic year 1930-31 the school was upgraded to St. Mary's English High School. The Fifth and the Sixth forms started in 1931 and 1932 respectively. in the academic year 1935-36 a primary school was also sanctioned.
In the academic year 2000-2001 the school was upgraded to a Higher Secondary School. Two Science group batches and a Humanities group batch was sanctioned to the school. Plus one classes started on 31st July 2000 in the Platinum Jubilee Memorial Block. On 19th December 2000 the foundation stone for a new higher secondary block was laid by Mar Joseph Pallickaparambil. The new building was blessed in September 2001. Rev. Sr. Mary Jose assumed office in 2000 as the first Principal. Rev Sr. Paulinose Maria ( 2001-2002), Rev. Sr. Francitta (2003-2004) and Rev. Sr. Philomi (2004-2009) served the office as the principals.
The school currently functions under the Corporate Educational Agency, Diocese of Palai
Marian Rally
'Marian Sodality' was regularly conducted during the early years of the school at Kannadiyurumpu. When the school was shifted to Pala town, this practice didn't resume for a few years. It was started again on 08th December 1935 under the leadership of Very. Rev. Fr. Thomas Thottiyil. After the holy Mass in the convent chapel on the same day Rev. Fr. Thomas lead a procession to the shrine of Mary immaculate which situated at the heart of Pala. Students wearing blue and green ribbons carried the decorated statue of Mary Immaculate in the procession. With the symphony of musical instruments and by the chanting of the Rosary and Marian songs, the nuns, teachers and students proceeded to the shrine in a holy procession. After the prayer ceremonies in the shrine, the Rally moved back to the school premises. This Marian Rally is still continued without fail on 08th December every year and it adds a pious atmosphere to the feast which is celebrated as the festival of Pala.
Raising the fund to erect the building was a herculean task. Very. Rev. Fr. Anthrayos Kalappurackal, Very. Rev. Fr. Francis Kannamkulam, the members of Catholic Student's League, especially honoured personalities like Mar. Sebastian Vayalil, Very. Rev. Fr. Joseph Porunnolil, Very. Rev. Fr. Balthazar CMI, Sri K C Sebastian Kizhakkekara, Sri. A O Joseph Ancheri, The parish communities of Pala Cathedral Church, Lalam St Mary's Church and Lalam St George Church and the Meenachil Catholic Students Union ...all those hands on deck .. made the dream come true.On 18th May 1925 the school was shifted to the new campus near St Mary's Church Lalam with a new name 'St. Mary's English Middle School'. The school was instituted with Blessed Virgin Mary as the patron and heavenly intercessor. The official inaugural meeting was presided over by the Honourable Chief Justice, The High Court of Kerala, Sri. Raman Thampi.
The former Diwan Sri. E M Wats visited the school and opined to upgrade it to a high school. Thus the foundation stone for the high school was laid finally on in 1928 by Right Rev. Dr. James Kalassery, The building was completed in 1930. Permission was officially granted in the same year to start the fourth form. The headmaster Sri. E V Unnicheria resigned from the post after eight years of devoted service and in 1930 Smt. Mary Joseph Elavumkal B.A.L.T. took office as the headmistress. In the academic year 1930-31 the school was upgraded to St. Mary's English High School. The Fifth and the Sixth forms started in 1931 and 1932 respectively. in the academic year 1935-36 a primary school was also sanctioned.
In the academic year 2000-2001 the school was upgraded to a Higher Secondary School. Two Science group batches and a Humanities group batch was sanctioned to the school. Plus one classes started on 31st July 2000 in the Platinum Jubilee Memorial Block. On 19th December 2000 the foundation stone for a new higher secondary block was laid by Mar Joseph Pallickaparambil. The new building was blessed in September 2001. Rev. Sr. Mary Jose assumed office in 2000 as the first Principal. Rev Sr. Paulinose Maria ( 2001-2002), Rev. Sr. Francitta (2003-2004) and Rev. Sr. Philomi (2004-2009) served the office as the principals.
The school currently functions under the Corporate Educational Agency, Diocese of Palai
Marian Rally
'Marian Sodality' was regularly conducted during the early years of the school at Kannadiyurumpu. When the school was shifted to Pala town, this practice didn't resume for a few years. It was started again on 08th December 1935 under the leadership of Very. Rev. Fr. Thomas Thottiyil. After the holy Mass in the convent chapel on the same day Rev. Fr. Thomas lead a procession to the shrine of Mary immaculate which situated at the heart of Pala. Students wearing blue and green ribbons carried the decorated statue of Mary Immaculate in the procession. With the symphony of musical instruments and by the chanting of the Rosary and Marian songs, the nuns, teachers and students proceeded to the shrine in a holy procession. After the prayer ceremonies in the shrine, the Rally moved back to the school premises. This Marian Rally is still continued without fail on 08th December every year and it adds a pious atmosphere to the feast which is celebrated as the festival of Pala.
