Situated in the sylvan surroundings of Bangalore, flanked by the golf course on the one side and overlooking Bangalore’s major land mark, the Vidhan Soudha, Sophia High School is one of the finest examples of premier English education in the city. Founded in Jan. 1949, Sophia is enriched by a synergy of charisms of two saintly religious women; St. Madeline Sophie Barat, and St. Julie Billiart, the Founders of the Society of the Sacred Heart and the Congregation of the Sisters of Notre Dame respectively. Mother Catherine Andersson of the Religious of The Sacred Heart was the founding Principal of the Sophia. The school is placed under the patronage of Mary, Mother of Jesus. The motto of the school is “Truth and Universal Love”
The School was affiliated and accredited in 1957 to University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate, Delhi, which was later transferred to Delhi to the Council for the Indian School Certificate Examination (CICSE)
In 1972, Sophia High School Bangalore was handed over to the Sisters of Notre Dame.
Over the last 63 years , eleven principals have served this prestigious Institution: the founder-principal Mother Catherine Andersson served from 1949 to 1958 followed by Mother Ivy Bourke (1958-61), Sr.Bertha M Wilcox (1961-67 and 1971), Sr. Celia Braganza (1968-70), Sr.Mary Vaune (1972-79), Sr.Mary Anima (1980-85), Sr.Mary Joan(1986-89), Sr.Jesslin(1989-92), Sr.Mary Kripa(1993-2003), Sr.Mary Sandhya (2003-2010). Sr.Mary Priscilla has been serving as Principal since December 2010. When the school grew large in numbers,the Junior Section of Sophia was deftly propelled by Sr. Anupa, Sr. Mala, Sr. Sujata, Sr. Aneeta and at present Sr. Rosilin.
Sophia has been churning out incredible human potential since its inception. Thousands of young women have passed out of her sacred portals and have become distinguished personalities both in the country and abroad. Her thousands of present students and alumni are the irreplaceable wealth of Sophia High School.
Hundreds of teaching and non-teaching staff members, unparalled in their dedication, have served Sophia, giving her the status of a superior institute.
The toils and faith of the members of the Institute of the Sacred Heart and that of the Sisters of Notre Dame are etched in gold on the pages of Sophia history.
Milestones
 1949: The three pioneer sisters of the Society of Sacred Heart of Jesus, mother Catherine Andersson, mother Ivy Bourke and mother Dorothy Bullen began the school under the name “Convent Of Sacred Heart” with just 17 children.
1950: The convent was recognized as a primary school by the department of public instructions of the Mysore Government.
1952: The school was upgraded to Middle School Level and recognized by the government
1953: Student leadership was recognized.
1954: The Duchesne building with two floors was built.
1956-57: The school was recognized as high school by the government.
1957: The name of the school was changed to Sophia High School. The school crest and motto “Truth and Universal Love” were chosen. The school song was composed by Mother Andersson.
1958: The first batch of Sophia appeared for the ISC eleven year course examination. Six students appeared and Rowena Mathais stood first in India,Ceylon and Pakistan.
 1960-61: Construction of more buildings.
1965: Centenary celebration honouring Saint Madeline Sophie Barat was held on her 100th death anniversary.
1968-69: Introduction of school uniform.
1969: Introduction of nursery classes.
1970: The Sisters of Notre Dame collaborated with the management of the school.
1972: Sisters of NOTRE DAME take up Sophia Administration
1974: Sophia Silver Jubilee Celebrations.
1980: First issue of Sophia news bulletin “Sophia Says It” was brought out.
1981: Construction of Additional floor to Barat Building. Introduction of school diary.
 1982: Construction of basket ball court and nursery park.
1986: Introduction of computer classes in Sophia.
1991: Introduction of interact club, Sophia Parent Teacher Association.
1996: Upgrading of boy’s classes upto std. IV.
1997: Grand Preparation for celebration for Golden Jubilee of Sophia High, Brochure; Fashion show; Charity show; Build Sophia brick by brick; Golden jubilee souvenirs.
1998: Sophia enters her Golden year! Holy Eucharistic celebrations, Cultural celebration; “Sophia Run” by Sophia students; Walkathon by Sophia parents; Notre Dame inter-high school meet; Charity ball by members of Sophia Old Girls Association; Grand Carnival Sopiesta I in the month of November.
1999: Process for the Commencement of Std. XI -Arts, Science and Commerce stream Up gradation of Sophia to ISC (Plus Two) – new Biology lab, new Computer lab, new Library and new Administrative rooms were built along with a new ISC block of class rooms.
 2000: Inauguration by Mr. Francis Fanthome, Chief executive and secretary of ISC Council. Commencement of class XI.
Sister Mary Kripa awarded P.R.S.I award for excellence in educational service for the year 1999 which included a citation, a shawl and a memento
2002: Graduation of the first batch of ISC – 51 Students.
2003 Sep 30: Farewell to Sr. Mary Kripa Principal of Sophia after a tenure of 10 years and 10 months and welcome to new principal Sr. Mary Sandhya.
2004: Introduction of mentoring classes in the Middle and High School.
Out reach program with the children of the Street Children’s Home –Bosco Mane at Chamarajpet.
2005: Permission to construct Sophia auditorium. Ground Breaking and laying of the foundation stone for Sophia auditorium on 8th Dec 2005 by Rev. Arch Bishop Bernard Moras in the presence of Sr. Mary Jayanti, provincial superior, Sr.Jaya, Sr. Prathima and the Notre Dame Sisters, PTA, Staff and Student representatives.
 Fund raiser activities begun in Aug 2005
• India’s first 20-20 Cricket match at Chinnaswami Stadium – Aug 19, 20, 21, partially sponsored by Sophia.
• Launching of Raffle by Nisha Millet and Lathika Baliga – Sophia Alumni .
• Sophiesta II- Grand Carnival – 2,3,4 Dec 2005.
• Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dream Coat – a broadway musical by Lloyd Webber and
Tim Rice at Bishop Cottons Boys School auditorium by Senior Students.
• The Greatest Show on Earth, by Carl Crack and The Magic Basket staged by the Primary and Pre-primary Students.
• Mega Concert by Sonu Nigam in Chinnaswami Cricket Stadium initiated and conducted by Sophia PTA, Mr. Arun Ponnappa and Team.
June 8, 2005 – The grand beginning of Notre Dame Academy Choodasandra (Extension of Sophia High School).
November 2005 – Inauguration of the new basketball court.
• 2006: Re-introduction of BMTC buses (11 numbers), Sophia as a pilot school for the ‘Safe Road to School” project of the state Government
• Introduction of the Yoga Lessons for class V – XII
2007 June: Introduction of Smart Card for Staff Attendance.
2007 June: Blessing and Inauguration of the basement and ground floor of the new Aud. Block.. This academic section is (Middle School) named CUVILLY in memory of the birth place of Saint Julie Billiart, The spiritual mother of the Sisters of Notre Dame.
2008 : Feb 11,12,14th Inauguration of the Sophia Auditorium.
 Dignitaries present- Governor of Karnataka Rameshwar Thakur, Dr. Kiran Muzumdar CMD Biocon India, Dr.Devi Shetty, Mr.Anil Kumble, all Sponsors and benefactors, Visiting Sisters of Notre Dame from abroad and Sr. Mary Jayanthi. Arch BP. Ignatius Pinto emritus and Retd Ambassador Mr. Alan Nazareth.
August 2008 – Farewell to Sister Aneeta and Sister Rosilin takes over as the Primary School Principal.
Nov 2008 – Sophiesta III grand carnival to help build school for Notre Dame School Theegarajupally A.P.
December 2008 – Sophia Diamond Jubilee Celebration (1949 – 2009)
June 2009: Sophia to welcomes ‘The Missile Man Of India Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam’ (the former President of India) to interact with students.
2010: welcome to Aloysia Children – from Angel’s Orphanage as Sophia out reach program.
Inauguration of the Sky walk built children friendly by BBMP especially for Sophia.
Farewell to Sister Sandhya and Sister Priscilla takes over as Principal
 June 2011
• Addition of one more section from Std V to Std XII (from 3 sections to 4 sections)
• Uniform for workers
• new school bus
June 2012 – Smart Board technology introduced.
Grant Carnival ‘Sopiesta IV ‘ planned to assist the management in the construction of NEW MATER BUILDING.
For more details visit : https://sophiahighschool.org
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