Lamphrang Nongspung relates the 50-year journey of Synod HS School
FROM A humble beginning, Shillong’s Synod Higher Secondary School at Mission Compound has in 50 years emerged among the top schools in the State. It has grown from strength to strength since it was set up by Welsh missionary Gwen C Evans in 1964.
The school made a landmark achievement in 2011 when one of its students Markynti L Nonglait bagged the top position in the merit list in the Secondary School Leaving Certificate examination of the Meghalaya Board of School Education. Two other students, Eleglaza Airiti Hujon and Nerisa Clara Marwein were fifth and ninth on the merit list.
“It feels really great to see that the people have now turned their eyes towards the school after the outstanding results in 2011. All these years, it was always about the elite schools in Laitumkhrah,” school principal DR Shullai said. She added that it has been a long journey for the school.
Going down memory lane, the principal recalled that Evans was able to start the school with the support of prominent local women T Shullai and Eileen Pariat. “In the initial years, the school was part of the KJP Girls’ Higher School as its English section. It started its operation from a very small house inside the premises of the KJP School with 34 students with in their green and white uniform,” she said.
Evans later roped in Lasubon Warbah as the third teacher along with herself and Pariat.
It was in 1966 that KJP Synod gave the school its own land where it is presently housed. After the land allotment, the teachers and students started to dig for the foundation of the school. It was an emotional moment for everyone connected with the school.
In 1968, the school faced a major setback after ill-health forced Evans had to leave Shillong and return to Wales. After her departure, Berthen Williams lent her support to enable the school to start its independent journey. Williams was instrumental in giving shape to the school building that was inaugurated on 14 August 1976 with B Mitta as the first principal.
Seven students of school were allowed to appear for the High School Leaving Certificate examinations as private candidates in 1979. It was its last year under the supervision of KJP School (since 1964) but it wasn’t until 1983 that MBoSE recognised Synod School.
Within a year of being recognised by the board, Baridalyne Nongkynrih brought laurels to the school by securing the sixth position in the 1984 HLSC examination. Nongkynrih currently is an associate professor at All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi.
The school celebrated its silver jubilee on August 14, 1989 where Evans was the chief quest. The State government had four months earlier recognised it under the deficit pattern.
Synod School had to wait almost 10 years after Nongkynrih’s feat for a student to bring laurel. In 1993, Ekta Rani Agarwal, currently an IT professional in Bangalore, bagged the sixth position in the 1993 board examination.
The school started its higher secondary section in 1999 in Arts section. Former urban affairs minister Roshan Warjri had inaugurated the section. Later, chief minister Mukul Sangma who came for the function to felicitate the three students who bagged the top positions in the 2011 SSLC examination, assured help for the school to open the Commerce section.
The Commerce stream commenced from August 14 last year, kicking off the school’s year-long golden jubilee celebrations in the chief minister’s presence. The school now has 1,600 students with more than 60 teaching and non-teaching staff.
During this 50-year journey, the school has produced eminent personalities like Padmashree awardee Bertha G Dkhar, State sports awardee and MCS officer Matsiewdor War Nongbri, Dr H Gordon Robert Hospital, Shillong and medical superintendent David Tariang.
Berthen Williams will be present during the closing function of the golden jubilee celebrations to be held on August 14. She will be unveiling the bust of Evans in the school premises. Evans died on April 11 this year.