Hubli city is situated about 20 kilometres south-east of Dharwad between Malnad and the Deccan plateau. It is the commercial centre and business hub of the North Karnataka region. It is an important centre for the Indian Railways too, as it is the headquarters for South Western Railway Zone and the Hubli Railway division. The quadrilateral super highway runs through the city. Climatic conditions are of the tropical semi-Malnad region, with no extremes. Hubli is also an established educational centre.
Providence and an outpouring of the Holy Spirit have inscribed our history by their blessings. The apostolic zeal of the Sisters at Tumarikop mission inspired the then Bishop Ignatius Lobo, of Belgaum Diocese to contact Mother Ernestine to request the Ursuline Franciscan Congregation to take charge of Fatima Group of Institutions run by the Diocese of Belgaum at Hubli. Sr Letitia Fernandes, Sr Responsa D’Souza and Sr Anita Pereira arrived in June 1970 and Sr Eliza Pinto, Sr Joanina Patrao and Sr Laurine Cutinha joined them later.
Having witnessed the committed service of the Sisters at Fatima, Mr &Mrs George Sybil D’Mello, who were running the St Michael’s English Medium School (Class I-IX) in the neighborhood offered it to the Sisters for sale, as they were emigrating to Canada. The Sisters immediately negotiated the land as well as the school for a reasonable price and took possession of it in December 1970. Thus divine providence made available to us a permanent property to establish a regular convent as well as a school.
The mission was new and the personnel were scanty. Miss Marina Belshar (1971-72), was in charge for a year and later Sr Precilla Mascarenhas (1972-73), took charge of the administration of the School for one year. Subsequently Sr Olinda Sequeira(1973-74), who already had teaching experience in schools at Vorkady and Narampady was appointed full-fledged headmistress of the primary section.. Sr. Bernarda (1974-80), then took over and her efficiency gave a facelift to the School. Having already obtained permission from the Education Department, the Sisters could focus exclusively on the academic activities and could bring excellent results. Sisters led by Sr. Joanina went around from house to house to raise funds for the first floor of the old building.
The growing demand for admissions was positively responded by the headmistress Sr. Margaret D’Souza. With meticulous planning and supervision she successfully added four floors to the school building. The old building was demolished in the year 2011.
Golden Jubilee of St. Michael’s School was celebrated with great pomp and show on 12 th December 2013. The Dias was adorned with precious jewels of our school i.e. the past headmistresses and teachers who toiled day and night to put up this esteemed institution in the heart of Hubballi city. They were honored with a shawl and memento. It was a great moment in the journey of St. Michael’s School. The institution places on record the skilled leadership given by Marina Belsher (1971-72), Sr Precilla Mascarenhas (1972-73), Sr Olinda Sequeira (1973-74), Sr. Bernarda D’Souza (1974-80), Sr. Bibiana Noronha (1980-90), Sr. Irene Mathias (1990-98) and Sr. Margret D’Souza from the year 1998 onwards.
To keep up with the rapid progress in technology and to provide child friendly education, the Sisters are constantly and endlessly striving with the Ursuline Franciscan zeal.