Establishment and Development of Mary Matha English Scool.

The great and yet humble beginning of Mary Matha began in 1996 with 11 children at Pilathara Parish campus, when Rev, Fr. Thomas Panackal was the Parish priest of Pilathara. It was a small beginning yet the school was able to attract the parents of the locality irrespective of caste and creed. When Fr. Jacob Kulangara became the Parish Priest and the Manager of the school, it was shifted to a spacious building in the large precincts, the present Mary Matha campus. Mary Matha School was indubitably the visionary dream of Rev. Fr. L. M. Zucol S.J. who encouraged the education of small children. Henceforth, sisters from the newly started Convent of the Holy Cross, played a pivotal role in the advancement of the school as they were appointed as Principals and teachers in the school. Sr. Jessy George, Sr. Fabi Joseph, Sr. Cicily Mathew, Sr. Sathya Sebastian etc. are a few among them to be remembered with great appreciation and gratitude for shouldering the great responsibility of nurturing the school which was in its infancy stage with great care and love.

At that time, the people of the locality being economically backward, the fees collected were to be too low and affordable for the poor Catholics and others. It is during this time, Fr. George Painadath took charge of Pilathara parish. He was very much interested in the education of children and in the progress of the rapidly growing Mary Matha English School. It was at the momentous stage of growth, Rev. Fr. Antony Pius was appointed as Parish priest of Pilathara and manager of the school. He too worked tirelessly to get sufficient fund for the further development of the school and constructed in a record time a new block with well-equipped 10 class rooms, a well-furnished office, an updated science laboratory, a well-resourced library, and separate toilets for girls and boys.

It was at this period that Sr. Mercy Augustine an efficient and good disciplinarian was appointed as principal of the school. Fr. Pius, the school manger, along with the whole-hearted co-operation of Sr. Mercy Augustine worked meticulously to get CBSE Affiliation for the school. Though, they faced many obstacles in that process, by the grace of God Almighty and the powerful intercession of Mary our Blessed Mother, the school finally got affiliation for a period of three years. It became a full-fledged affiliated school with classes from K.G to X. It was during this year the school celebrated its 10th Anniversary. It was a wonderful occasion to express gratitude to all the principals and managers who toiled hard to reach the school to such a height of fame and to be one of the best and leading institutions in the locality and the diocese of Kannur.

In the year 2008 June, Rev. Fr. Jacob Jose took charge of Pilathara School and also as manager of the school. He too was very much interested in the field of education. He systematically worked hard to improve the infrastructure of the school and for the further affiliation of the school as well as for the sanction to raise it to a Senior Secondary School. Year 2008 was also one of the most rewarding years since the inception of the school as this year had the esteemed task of felicitating the first batch of class 10 students all of whom passed with flying colors. At this time the school gained the renewed affiliation for another 5 years and so the second batch of class 10 students could write their exam without any impediment.

In the year 2009 the construction, of new block with three separate well equipped Science Labs started. In the same year, Sr. Rita Vincent an experienced teacher and skilled administrator took charge as the principal of the school. By this time the strength of the school had reached up to 500. That academic year also our 10th class students passed the board examination with 100% result, some even came up with A1 grade in all subjects. The inspection took place at the end of March 2011, by the grace of God and the powerful intercession of Blessed Mother Mary, the school got the sanction for the Senior Secondary. This year the management in collaboration with the staff and PTA members, celebrated the 14th Annual Day of the school along with the blessing of the New Block by His Excellency Rt. Rev. Dr. Varghese Chakkalakkal the former bishop of Kannur Diocese. By the academic year 2012-2013, the strength of the students was more than 1000. Moving along with the technological advancement, Mary Matha School also equipped itself with technology by installing Smart Classrooms in a quite a few classrooms which helped teachers to make the class more interesting, updated and creative. School was also able to create a well-equipped band set.

In the year 2014 June, yet another efficient and experienced teacher, Rev. Sr. Bindu George became the principal of Mary Matha English School. She was a strict disciplinarian who strived her best to keep up the spirit of this great temple of learning. It was in the year 2016 April, Rev. Fr. Dr. Joy Painadath took charge of Pilathara parish and the manager of the school. Apt to his name he was a joyful person who spreads the fragrance of joy wherever he went. He was very much interested in the overall development of the school as well as the growth of each individual student.

In the year 2019 June, Sr. Rani Joseph, a dynamic academician and experienced person in school administration took charge of the school as principal under whose leadership the school attained multi-dimensional growth. She has taken the school to a greater heights with her visionary leadership. She still continues to tap the resources and potentials hidden within the teachers and the students by introducing various new activities in the school.

In 2021 April Rev. Fr. Benny Manappat became the parish priest of Pilathara Church and the manager of Mary Matha English School. He is a visionary leader with far sightedness and aesthetic sense. Within a short span of time he changed the appearance of the school and made the interior and exterior of the school magnificently beautiful and eye-catching. The school campus and the building are made safer with strong gates wherever it is required. We gratefully acknowledge the generosity of His Excellency, Rt. Rev. Dr. Alex Vadakumthala for the spiritual assistance and logistic guidance he extends as well as for granting the fund to modernize the school to its present status. Under the leadership of Sr. Sathya Sebastian and with the constant effort and hard work of the non-teaching staff we have a well maintained flower garden which gives a panoramic look to the school. It also helps students to develop eco friendly culture and aesthetic beauty.