Sixty years in the life of one institution is certainly an achievement worthy of celebration, especially so, when the period has been on of steady progress and increasing usefulness for the institution. The Sealy Memorial High School has been fortunate ot attain its Shashtabdapoorthi and no wonder thousands of students, old and new, feel legitimate pride and joy in celebrating this auspicious event.

        On an occasion like this, it is but natural that the mind should hark back to the remote past of this school to have a glimpse of its humble beginnings, the various phases it passed through, the teachers and the taught that adorned and adored it and the beneficient influence it shed over the whole locality.

        On the 8th of Makaram, 1065, a small institution opened its doors with some twenty students on its rolls. The idea owed its inception to the philanthropic spirit and fore-sight of the late Mr.Achutha Menon, the head of the Parakkat House. The school more like a final school, was primarily meant to benefit the children of his house, but was thrown open to neighbouring children also. It was hoped that this institution would help the spread of enlightenment in the midst of the gloom then prevailing.

        The school was first located in a compound adjoining the Parakkat house. But thanks to the amazing organizing and administrative ability of its first headmaster, Mr. C.S.Subramanian Iyer it soon became popular, grew in strength and prospered, necessitating new premises. It was therefore shifted to its new house in the present site. In the construction of new and substantial buildings Mr. Menon had the whole-hearted and generous support of the local public. The school was named after that pioneer of English education in Cochin, the late Mr. Sealy of revered memory. There after the school prospered under the fostering care of Mr. Menon. New divisions and higher classes were opened and by 1893 the school became a full-fledged middle school catering to the educational needs of Tattamangalam and the adjacent villages.

        The school had the good fortune to have as its Headmasters men of rare and exceptional ability, men like Messrs. C.S. Subramania Iyer, K.K. Krishna Iyer, Veeraraghava Iyer, K.V. Subramania Iyer, C.Kunhi Krishna Panicker and P.S. Subramania Iyer, whose names have become almost house-hold words in this place. But for the organizing ability of Mr. C.S. Subramania Iyer the school would not have come into existence or developed so soon into a full-fledged middle school. Mr.K.V. Subramania Iyer who succeeded him was tactful in the handling of children, efficient and impressive as a teacher and was therefore much respected by all. Mr.Panicker was perhaps the strongest of the lot. He was a good disciplinarian. He improved the tone of the school and brought about all-round improvement. During this period the children of the school invariably secured more than one scholarship every year in Fourth class and Third form public examinations. Mr. P.S. Subramania Iyer was the last of the old batch of Headmasters. During his fairly long period of two decades the school worked smoothly. He was full of buoyant spirit which was almost infectious. Once inside the class he would be like a child, he would play, dance and sing. His teaching was interesting and impressive. No wonder the children loved him.

        The assistants who served the school during the period were equally capable. Men like A.K. Subramania Iyer, Gopal Sastri and Kuttan Menon, Rakku Menon and Kochu Menon were not only efficient teachers but took pride in serving the institution and enhancing its prestige. Under such able Headmasters and loyal and sincere assistants, problems of discipline never arose, the results were uniformly excellent and the school became one of the premier institutions in the state.

        The passing away of Mr. Achutha Menon did not affect the school, Mr. Vasu Menon, his brother, succeeded him as manager. Kind by nature and genial by disposition, he endeared himself to one and all. He loved the school more than he loved his children and contributed from his private funds large sums to the school. Hundreds of children benefited by his munificence in the shape of half-fee and full-fee concessions. He patronized local talent in the recruitment to the staff and saw that they were contented and happy. Under his stewardship the school made all-round progress.

        The steady progress and undoubted prosperity of the school induced the management even during its early years to raise the status of the school. In 1894 the fourth form was opened and next year, the fifth form. But for various reasons, the sixth form could not be opened and till 1899 the school continued as an incomplete High School. Messrs. K.K. Krishna Iyer, K.V. Veeraraghava Iyer, P.V. Sami Iyer, N.R. Sesha Iyer and Dharmaraja Iyer were some of the teachers who served the school during this period. In 1899 High School classes were opened at Chittur. The fear that mutual competition might be injurious to both schools and the location of the Chittur school itself midway between Chittur and Tattamangalam induced the Management of this school to give way to Chittur and do away with the high school classes. We cannot say at this distance of time whether the policy adopted by the management was wise or unwise. The net result of this policy was that this school had to wait for four decades to be raised to the High School standard again.

        The year 1 – 10 – 1035 was an important year in the history of the institution. Mr. Vasu Menon, the Manager was indifferent health. He feared that he had not many more years to live. His financial condition was not such as to ensure the stability of the school by meeting its growing needs. Circumstances like these induced him to approach the government with a request to assume management of the school.

        The government readily agreed to this proposal and thus enabled a longstanding, well-managed and prosperous school to continue its life with renewed vigour. All members of the staff were absorbed into government service and compensation was given to the manager. Thus the school started under government auspices.

        Except for the change in the management, the history of the school till the year 1117 (1942) was uneventful. In that year the question of raising the status of the school to that of a High School was taken up in all seriousness. The time was propitious. Thanks to the efforts of Mr. T.S. Ramachandran, the Director of Public Instruction, whose interest in the institution was almost paternal, the attempt was successful. On 31st Mithunam, 1117 the Director himself came down to Tattamangalam and issued orders raising the status of the school to that of a High School. There was jubilation throughout the town. The grateful public rose to the occasion and from public contributions instituted two endowments, the Kerala Varma Prize and the Rajarishi Prize in commemoration of the event. Individual endowments followed.

        Thereafter the progress of the school has been steady. The first batch of candidates appeared for the S.S.L.C. Examination in 1120. Within two years there was a phenomenal increase in strength. New divisions and classes had to be opened. The problem of accommodation became very acute, in spite of the construction of new blocks. As a means of relieving this congestion the girls divisions of the primary and lower secondary departments were transferred to the neighbouring Malayalam Girl’s School and that school itself was raised to a Girl’s Lower Secondary School. A new block of six rooms has been constructed this year. Still the problem of accommodation is as acute as before, which shows that the school is still growing.   

        It is now eight years since the school was raised to a High School. Throughout this period it has been producing excellent results in the public examinations and acquitting itself creditably in extra-curricular activities. In 1121 the school had the honour of winning the All-Cochin Cup for the best results in the S.S.L.C. Examination.

        A word about the Headmasters and assistants who were posted to the school, after the Government assumed management, will not be out of place. From 1110 – 1117

Mr. P.S.Subramania Iyer continued to be the Headmaster. In 1117 Mr. Subramania Iyer was transferred to Chittur and Mr. P.V. Doraiswami Iyer was posted as Headmaster. It was during his time that the school became a High School. When VI Form was opened, Mr. V. Subramania Iyer was first posted and then Mr. K.A. Viswanatha Iyer, as Headmaster. When the latter retired, Mr.A.S. Subbarama Iyer was posted in his place. Mr. Subbarama Iyer continued for two years as Headmaster. On his transfer to Nemmara Mr. C.A. Vaidyanatha Iyer was posted as Headmaster. Mr. Vaidyanatha Iyer now ably continues to guide the detinies of the institution. Of the Headmasters and Assistants who were posted to this school after the government assumed management and of such of the Assistants as belonged to the ‘Old Guards’ and still remain on the staff, I shall not say much. One thing however can be said without fear of contradiction. They have all been sincerely devoted to the school and have been doing their best to enhance its reputation in all possible ways.

        This record would not be complete without a word about the Old Boys. During the long period of its existence the school has produced hosts of successful men in almost all walks of life – Lawyers, Doctors, Engineers, Professors, Statesmen, Administrators and Businessmen. They could be seen scattered through out the length and breadth of India and even in distant places like London and Lisbon, Tokyo and Rangoon, Colombo and Kaulalumpur. They occupy places of trust and responsibility. Wherever they are, they have a soft corner of their hearts for the school and are ever ready to pay their homage to their Alma Mater. The enthusiasm and support evinced by the old boys in celebration of the Diamond Jubilee speak volumes for the abiding interest they take in this venerable institution and the affection which they feel at all times.

        May this institution grow from strength to strength and may it continue to lift the veil of ignorance from the people of these parts and point the way to progress through education.         

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