About St Roses High School

Guyana in 1847 (then British Guiana), when the first Ursuline nuns arrived in the then Colony, was making history. The first railway on the South American continent was nearing completion in the Colony. Only thirteen years prior to 1847 had slavery been abolished. Stabroek Market was opened in 1842 and in 1844, Georgetown became a city.

It was to this environment of on-going development that, in 1847, six Ursuline Religious and two postulants (women who want to join the convent) came to British Guiana, even though their families were, very naturally, alarmed when they heard of this dangerous undertaking to a far-off tropical country, and used every argument to dissuade them. They left the Ursuline Convent in Athlone, Ireland.

The six professed Foundresses were Mothers Mary Bernard Perry, Mary de Sales Molony, Mary Magdalen Doyle, Mary Regis O’Brien, superior, Mary Stanislaus Hearne and Mary Alphonsus O’Beirne. The two postulants later would be known as Sisters Mary St. Rose Tierney and Veronica Gavin. Sr. Mary Rose died only five years later in the Colony, at the age of twenty-five and Sr. Veronica followed her six years later. These women often used the railway to Rosignol, crossing the Berbice river to New Amsterdam, where the second convent was established in 1897.

1867 On August 31, the Secondary School for Girls (St.Rose’s) was opened with 4 students.

1851 St.Ann’s Orphanage was established.

1869 Large three-storied school built with a dormitory for boarders.

1925 Another three-storied structure was built as there were now over 500 young ladies enrolled in St. Rose’s. This structure abutted St.Rose’s School and contained a fine auditorium with graded floor and stage designed by Mother St. Catherine. It was the largest of its kind in Georgetown for many years. Funds were available through loans from Rome, England the generosity of the citizens of British Guiana.

1933 All children regardless of religious persuasion, race or language were accepted at St.Rose’s.

1935 First steps to the establishment of a gymnasium began when hooks and ropes 
suspended from the ceiling, vaulting boxes and horizontal ladders were obtained.

1941 Bicycle stands were provided to accommodate the increased number of bicycles being ridden to school.

1941 Students and teachers were no longer required to wear stockings.

1953 The boarding school was closed and work began on a new structure to accommodate the numbers of students requiring admission.

1954 The Marian Wing was completed and officially opened on May 4.

1967 New Physics and Chemistry labs built.

1969 Three additional classrooms built above labs.

1975 Young men were accepted as students at St. Rose’s.

1976 St. Rose’s and all other schools became state controlled.

About the badge

The Serviam Badge is a symbol of all Ursuline schools worldwide. Although St. Rose's is now a Government school, and is therefore no longer an Ursuline school, the Ursuline Badge was never changed, and the following is an explanation of its meaning

Pope Pius XI has said that the Badge of the Ursuline Schools, with the motto "SERVIAM" is a true symbol of Christian Education.

It bears a field of stars [the constellation Ursa Minor, in which the Pole Star lies], signifying the Eternal Heavens to which we must aspire. The Little Bear “Ursus” recalls St. Ursula, patroness of Christian Education and special patroness of Ursuline Schools.

Just as the light from the Little Bear leads up to the brighter light of the Pole Star, so our Ursuline Education helps us on to the knowledge of Truth, here symbolised by the Pole Star, and it is Truth which will guide us on our path through life.

The Ursuline badge bears a cross - whence comes all grace into the world, to remind us that all blessings of God flow from the Redemption.

The colour Green represents the virtue of hope, the colour Silver reminds us to be always genuine and sincere in all that we do.

Finally, there is the word “Serviam”, I WILL SERVE, which expresses our loyalty to Christ, and our desire to serve Him.

Let it be our resolution as Ursuline Pupils to serve Christ for the whole of our lives.