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A new logo and a donation drive for 160 items marked the completion of 160 years of The Alexandra Girls’ English Institution (School). Unveiled at the Founders Day event in the school hall on September 1, 2023, the logo in vibrant house colors "balances tradition and innovation” and symbolizes their "energy, passion and harmony.” The items that students may collect as donations include stationery, school supplies, non-perishable food items, toiletries, clothes and pet supplies. A weekly schedule of items to be collected has been drawn up. Recipient organizations are being identified. This year also marks the 100th year of the school’s Girl Guides group. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Welcoming the audience, principal Yasmin Kavina reflected on the journey of the Institution since its founding. "As we celebrate this remarkable milestone, let us remember that education is not just about imparting facts and figures; it’s about igniting the flame of curiosity, nurturing the seeds of potential and fostering a sense of purpose,” she said. The program included a colorful performance by students house-wise, showcasing the culture of four non-English speaking countries — Spain, Japan, Columbia and South Korea — with reference to their national anthems, a popular song, and a dance. The "Inter-House Globe Trotting Experience” showed how popular South Korean pop music is with the girls as was evident from their loud screams, whistles and cheers when the group performed. Spanish and Japanese dances too drew thunderous applause as did the Columbian music. As stated their press note, "Alexandra turned into a global village and opened a window to the world, devoid of all cultural barriers.” The show was preceded by an exhibition on show-boards of the culinary traditions, prominent personalities and scenic beauty of the four countries. Office bearers of the Guides group and of the parent-teacher association were felicitated.
Year-long celebrations are planned: cultural and literary events, fine arts and performing arts, sports events, alumni meetings, et al. "It’s a great time to remember the school’s past as it prepares for an even brighter future,” stated their note.
Manockjee Cursetjee founded Alexandra Native Girls’ English Institution at his Villa Byculla residence with half a dozen girls studying under an English lady superintendent Ms Smith on September 1, 1863, noted Dr Preeta Nilesh, a reader in history at the V. G. Vaze College (see "The power of the mind,” Parsiana, August 21, 2009). "Manockjee aspired for moral and intellectual transformation of Indian girls.” Three months later Manockjee lost his eldest son Heerajee to cholera. On his uthamna he created a nucleus of a fund for the establishment of the girls’ school with Rs 4,000. The school was named after Princess Alexandra of Denmark who "had been extolled as a noble woman,” noted Nilesh. She was married to Albert Edward, then Prince of Wales and later King Edward VII.
"The word ‘native’ at that time did not carry pejorative meaning,” stated Dr Sheryar Ookerjee, past chairman of the school. "It merely meant of the ‘nation’” ("Ageless at the Alexandra,” Parsiana, September 21, 2012). The first batch of students, all Parsis passed the matriculation examination of the Bombay University in 1890.
The Bombay government sanctioned a free plot of land on the Esplanade as well as a building grant and the foundation of Albert Hall was laid by Sir Richard Temple, governor of Bombay in 1878. The building, on Waudby Road, designed by Khan Bahadur Mancherjee Murzban, the executive engineer of Bombay, was built in Gothic style — a beautiful and conspicuous edifice, noted Nilesh. (Albert Hall was demolished and replaced by a more practical but prosaic structure in the 1960s). The school was renamed The Alexandra Girls’ English Institution in 1916. Amongst its students was Madame Bhikaiji Cama, noted chief guest Darius Khambata then advocate general of Maharashtra at the 150th anniversary of the school. The school today has 819 students on their rolls of which 37 are Parsi.