The presence of Catholic Mission in Dhariwal takes us back to the British Raj, when in A.D. 1938, a Belgian Capuchin priest of the Diocese of Lahore, Rev. Fr. Evarist put his feet on this land and started a mission here. This mission established its roots in full depth under a British Capuchin priest, Rev. Fr. Lawrence, who arrived here in 1956 and took abode in a rented house in Dhariwal town. In 1959, Fr. Lawrence bought a piece of land on the National Highway in Sohal at the outskirts of Dhariwal Town, for a Church building and a Parish office. More land was purchased by him in the following years for agricultural purposes under the local Parish Station.
In 1969, the Parish received its first Indian Capuchin priest in Rev. Fr. Edward. In1970, Rev. Fr. Symphorian Keeprath OFM Cap. was appointed the Superior of Dhariwal station. He made and dedicated the local Church building to St. Teresa of Lisieux in November in the same year. In the following year, 1971, he started an English medium school in the name of Little Flower English School. In this same year, Fr. Symphorian Keeprath was appointed as the first Bishop of the Diocese of Jullundhur, and he left the Parish into the hands of Rev. Fr. Guido OFM Cap. Rev. Fr. Jose Kurian OFM Cap. was appointed as the Principal of the School.
In 1973, Rev. Fr. Tobias OFM Cap constructed the school building, and in the year 1974, Fr. John Prakash OFM Cap took charge as the Principal of the School. In 1977, Fr. Simon Kottoor OFM Cap was appointed the Principal of the School, who was followed by Br. P. M. Peter OFM Cap, Fr. Matthew Ullat OFM Cap., Fr. Paul Koodapoozha OFM Cap., Fr. Martin Poothokaran OFM Cap. and Fr. Abraham OFM Cap..
In 1988, the Capuchin Friars handed over the local Parish and the School to the Diocese of Jalandhar. Rev. Fr. Mathew Nilappana was appointed as the Principal and to assist him Bro. Franco (the Emeritus Bishop of Jalandhar) was sent. Thereafter, the Religious Sisters took charge of the School, and Rev. Sr. Liseuex Varanam FCC became the first Principal and in the same year, the name of the school was changed to ‘LITTLE FLOWER CONVENT SCHOOL’. In 1991, Rev. Sr. Annie FCC was given the charge of the office of the Principal, who along with the Director of the School, Rev. Fr. Roby Kolenchery made successful efforts to upgrade the school to 10th standard in the year 1998 under the ICSE Board.
Sr. Annie was followed by Sr. Merlyn FCC, Sr. Lucy FCC, Sr. Ancilin FCC and Sr. Divya FCC as the successive Principals of the School. Sr. Annie was again appointed the Principal in 2013, and retired from her services in 2017. In the same year, Rev. Fr. Joseph Manalumparayil took charge as the Director of the School and undertook the big project of the construction of a new block of the building of the School. During this time, Sr. Soumya FCC was the Principal in office. In the year 2019, Sr. Regina Paul FCC assumed the office of the Principal, who with the Director, Rev. Fr. Joseph Manalumparayil, in the Golden Jubilee year, upgraded the school to 10+2 level to fulfill the demands of the region. Rev. Fr. Jose Padayatty took charge as the Director of the School in 2022.
Since the Diocese of Jalandhar took over the reins of the School, the following Directors have led the school administration:
- Fr. Mathew Nillapana
- Fr. John Thekkevaliara
- Fr. Roby Kolenchery
- Fr. Thomas Nedumgattu
- Fr. Jose Edakunnath
- Fr. Joseph Kokkatt
- Fr. Davis Alappatt
- Fr. John Grewal
- Fr. Joseph Manalumparayil
- Fr.Jose Padayatty (till date)
The School had a humble beginning in the year 1971 and in the year 1991, when Sr. Annie took charge as the Principal, it was up to 7th standard and had a strength of about 300 students. In the year 1998, when the School was upgraded to 10th standard, it had about 1500 pupils. Since the last decade, the School has maintained its strength of about 2500 pupils. This year (2023) has the school commenced its +1 batch for medical and non-medical students.
The School is committed to serve the needs of the region for the best educational environment and services for their dear ones in the changed scenario of the world in general and the society in particular.
The School gratefully recognizes the blessings of the successive Patrons of the School:
- Bishop Symphorian Keeprath (Founder Patron)
- Bishop Anil Jose Thomas Couto
- Bishop Franco Mulakkal
- Bishop Agnelo Gracias, the Apostolic Administrator
We are greatful to all the Former Chairpersons of the diocese and Rev.Fr.Jose Palakuzha for guidance and leadership as the Chairman of the ‘Diocesan Board of Education – Diocese of Jalandhar’.
We gratefully acknowledge the services of the other various priests who served as assistants in Dhariwal Parish
We also appreciate the service of all the Sisters whose dedicated efforts have taken us to the present heights. The craftsmanship and the skills of our industrious teachers, who have served this institution and those who are still in its service, have been a catalyst in the formation of a bright career of so many successful men and women of the region; and the school is always grateful to all of them.
Who can ignore the laborious services of the non-teaching staff? All these men and women who have served the school in different non-teaching activities and those who are still serving, their service is so precious, because it is they, who keep the whole infrastructure ready and prepared for the teaching-learning process.
We are indebted to the parents who have been showing interest in the School by entrusting their loving children into our care. Without the trust of the parents and the support of the local folks, the success of the School could not be possible.
We remember all our shining gems, who have brightened the name of the School in different spheres in different parts of the world.
May God bless all who enter Little Flower Convent Sen.Sec.School, Dhariwal compound.
