My School – St. Joseph’s High School, Umerkhadi (1932 – 2025)

Byhumaayun@gmail.com

My School, St. Joseph’s High School (1932 – 2025), Umerkhadi, Mumbai, has always been more than just a place of learning for me — it has been a family, a foundation, and a memory etched in time.

Photograph of St. Joseph’s High School, Umerkhadi — classrooms, teachers, and alumni memories captured by Humayunn N. A. Peerzaada.

On 24th January 2007, the school celebrated its Platinum Jubilee (75 years) of imparting education to boys and girls of South Mumbai — years filled with smiles and tears, joys and sorrows, successes and failures. Thousands of students have passed through its corridors, carrying with them lessons that shaped their futures.

The school’s foundation was laid on 19th March 1930 and it was inaugurated on 24th January 1932. Its motto, “Virtute et Labore” — “By Virtue and Hard Work” — continues to inspire every student. Dedicated to Saint Joseph, the school also stands close to the beautiful St. Joseph Church and its serene Grotto, just minutes away from Sandhurst Road station.

Over the years, the school grew from an elementary Portuguese school (1875) to an English middle school (1930), and finally into a full-fledged high school by 1932. With its well-equipped computer lab, refurbished science laboratory lovingly built by Baker Sir, and an Audio-Visual room, it always strived to stay ahead in providing holistic education.

I still remember the Kabaddi corner, where we played endlessly, the morning assemblies, and the staff rooms filled with warmth, laughter, and occasional discipline. Each teacher left an indelible mark —

  • Punjani Sir (fitness and sports),

  • Anwar Sir (drawing and gardening),

  • Marie Teacher (ever-smiling, everyone’s favorite),

  • Semi Teacher (strict but caring),

  • Dabir Teacher (missed when she moved to Poona),

  • Dalvi Teacher (simplicity of Hindi reflected in her nature),

  • Sushila Teacher (so loving, a true darling),

  • Nigam Sir (who called me Humayun Kabir),

  • Mistry Teacher (her Parsi simplicity),

  • Philomena Teacher, Doyle Teacher, Pinto Teacher, D’souza Teacher, Kashyap Sir, Baquar Sir, Nainan Sir… and so many more. Each one shaped us, disciplined us, and loved us in their own way.

I still cherish those school benches scribbled with names, the Saint Joseph Parochial House next door, and the sight of boys rushing to Derby Maidan during recess just to glance at the girls across the street.

My SSC year of 1980–81 remains unforgettable. Our class anthem became “Om Shanti Om” from Rishi Kapoor’s Karz. I sang, Agha (my dear friend, wherever you are) made music with his mouth, and together we created joy in every free period.

Time has flown. We are now spread across the world, doing different things, but carrying with us the values of our school. Whatever we are today, it is because of our teachers.

Long live St. Joseph’s High School, Umerkhadi.

God bless all our teachers.

👉 Go down memory lanes and cherish these videos and photographs of retired teachers and school:

Photograph of St. Joseph’s High School, Umerkhadi — classrooms, teachers, and alumni memories captured by Humayunn N. A. Peerzaada.

This article, photographs, and videos are a humble tribute to all students and teachers who still carry St. Joseph’s High School in their hearts. All these social platforms were created in love, and for the love of the school, by Humayunn Niaz Ahmed Peerzaada (80–81 Batch), so that ex and present teachers, along with ex and present students, can stay connected, celebrate shared memories, and keep the school’s legacy alive.

P.S. May these memories continue to connect us all, across time and distance. ✨

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23 Comments

  1. great site on the school…i’m from class of 84/85. Anyone from the same batch please contact me….

    Reply

  2. Humayunn,

    I was in the same class of 1980/81 as you at St. Joseph’s. Nigam Sir was our class teacher.I still remember the pinic we went to in the 10th grade to Lonavla. The Briyani we had was to die for. I loved the pictures and the Videos you posted on this site you did a fabulous job. It brought back a lot of nostalgic memories. I haven’t been to St joseph’s since 1989. Hence I was brousing the net to find out about my alma matar.

    Regards

    William

    Reply

    1. Hi William how r u ? grt meeting u over here … thnks so much for liking both the pictures and the video … the reason to put these things together is for all of us who are far and still miss their teachers and school … pls keep coming back as i will upload some nostalgic stuff soon …. lots of regards
      Humayunn

      Reply

      1. Humayunn,

        I am doing just fine. I would certainly come back to the site in the future. Congrats on your successful Modeling and acting career. Let me know if you act in any of the Zee/soni tv Soap’s. I do try to catch up with India/Mumbai by watching Zee/Soni.Having leaved aboard for the last 20 years. You have done very well for yourself and made us proud.

        I think you graduated in the same year as me. Not sure if you were in my class we had 10th A,B classroom. I was in Mr Nigam’s class 10th B.

        Here is my email williamheredia@hotmail.com

        Do keep in touch.

        Regards

        William

        Reply

      2. Hi Humayum ! All I have to say Thank you ! I dont remember u caz u were senior to me ,I passed out in 1983.

        Reply

      3. Dear Humayun,

        Great job – really heart wish compliments, the positive energy you have to do things is amazing.

        On your face book especially the memories of St. Joseph School; once again I feel going back to school, Inshallah during my next visit to India I will go with my sons and visit Umerkhadi and the school lanes.

        Just to remind you we have met couple of times I am Shamoon Patel’s friend (Shamoon is Pappu bhai’s brother).

        Anyway wish you all the best for your dreams and wishes. If anytime if you visit Kuwait, please do let me know.

        Kind regards,
        Salim

        Reply

  3. My name is Ivan Fernandes. I am an ex student from St. Joseph High School. I graduated from 10th grade (SSC) in the year 1982-83. Thank you very much for bringing back some sweet old memories. I still remember Nigam sir, Kyashap sir, and all my other teachers from our school. It was very exciting to see the school building layout. Presently, I am settled in the U.S. (California). I remembered all the teachers that you mentioned in the video and pictures. The name Humayunn and William sounds so familiar but still cannot recollect some memories together with you guys. I think that I remember Sajid. Do you guys remember Jawad, Feroj, who topped our school in 1983, Jeremiah, Savio, etc. It would be nice if we all had a high school reunion.

    Reply

    1. Humayunn,Ivan,
      I used to live in Sunnyvale CA, up until 2001. Now I live in Iowa. California proved to be very expensive for me. I would love to keep in touch with Humayunn and you. Humayunn is my classmate but I still don’t remember him it has been a long time since we have graduated nearly 30 years.

      Here is my email williamheredia@hotmail.com.

      I will be in India for a couple of weeks in June. I will be in Mumbai for only a day. But would love to visit the School.

      Reply

    2. Hey Ivan ! I think I remember u ,Lets see if u remember .Anyways dude Humayun made my year .I m in new york sisnce last 22 yrs.I am very much in touch with Jawad and Nadeem Parkar .Email me ur phone number would love to catch up.
      Reza Najafi

      Reply

      1. Hi Reja,

        I hope you remember me, I left to Kuwait when I was in 7th grade to Kuwait and a very much junior batch from Salim Mehdi’s & Aziz Pinzara’s batch Oh gosh I was a great fan of you and Jawad – 2 bike riders with ur stunts going around the school with your small blue bike and another bike.

        Now I am based in Kuwait working for Dean & Deluca Kuwait – I am sure you know this gourmet store from New York where you find all the artisinal products from all over the world. I do visit New York regularly and if anytime if we get the chance we will meet inshallah.

        Brother any news about Salim Mehdi – if you do have his contacts please forward it to me.

        Its really nice to meet our old school mates.

        Great Work done by Humayun – I really admire his work (keep it up Brother Humayun)

        Well looking to hear from you soon.

        Kind regards,
        Salim Mulla

        Reply

  4. Hi Humayun,
    My name is Anis Tinwala and we were classmates in 10th Standard (80/81 batch). Hope you remember me.
    Good to see you in lime light (Modelling / Acting etc).

    Since long I have been looking for Nostalgic Moments of our school time. Luckily I found your Blog and was very happy to see 80/81 batch mates and our School Teachers / Principals photographs.
    Really appreciate your thought & efforts for the wonderful work you have done to bring school mates togethter thru your blog.
    Keep in Up & Keep in touch.
    God Bless.

    Reply

  6. Thank you so muchh Humayun uncle for this wonderful video upload … was almost into tears and nostalgia climbing every step of my school building … I wish can live my school life again

    Reply

  8. Hi Humayunn, Do you remember Rajesh Kamath used to sit besides you in the class ? 🙂 Good to see you here.

    Reply

  9. Hi Humayun,
    My name is Anis Tinwala and we were classmates in 10th Standard (80/81 batch). Hope you remember me.
    Good to see you in lime light (Modelling / Acting etc).

    Since long I have been looking for Nostalgic Moments of our school time. Luckily I found your Blog and was very happy to see 80/81 batch mates and our School Teachers / Principals photographs.
    Really appreciate your thought & efforts for the wonderful work you have done to bring school mates togethter thru your blog.
    Keep it Up & Keep in touch.
    God Bless.

    Reply

  10. Hi,
    It was a wonderful video. Refreshed my memories. Felt like I was watching my school days live.
    I’m Ms Naseem Semy’s daughter. I showed the entire video to her & she smiled and tears started rolling down her eyes.

    Reply

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