Hirebyle is a small village located in the Western Ghats of Chickmagalur District in the State of Karnataka. In 1960 at the invitation of Fr. Fidelis Pinto, Parish Priest of St. Joseph’s Church, Hirebyle the Ursuline Franciscan Sisters made their way to Hirebyle . A small house was given by the Parish as a residence that was occupied by the sisters on May 28, 1960. They christened it Sacred Heart Convent. Sisters Millicent Pinto, Alphonsa Fernandes and Precilla D’Sa were the pioneers.
Recognizing the educational needs of the locality, mainly of the estate laborers’ children, Sisters ventured to start a primary school with only 12 children on May 26, 1961. Sr Millicent Pinto became the first headmistress of the Sacred Heart Higher Primary School with classes held in the Convent.
The hard work and constant visits of the Sisters to the locality and nearby villages spread wide the fragrance of the value of education. Consequently the parents enrolled their children in the School. The School has had a record of 15 headmistresses. Sr Millicent Pinto (1960-61), Sr Precilla D’Sa (June 1961-October 1961) Sr Philomena D’Souza (Oct 1961-May1962), Sr Prima Rodrigues (June 1962-Nov.1962),Sr Clotilda J K (1962-63 ), Sr Hildegarde Rasquinha (1963-66), Sr Nelly D’Souza (1966-69, 1973-1980, 1981-82), Sr SyraVeigas (1969-73), Sr Santhosh D’Souza (1980-81), Sr Florence Sequiera (1982-1991), Sr Clarita D’Mello (1991-94), Sr Lilly D’Souza (1994-95), Sr CelomiaOlivera (1995-2004), and Sr Jeswita D’Souza (2004-2012) have all rendered committed service. The selfless service of these headmistresses who toiled hard for the development of the School is particularly praiseworthy. Sr Brigit PJ is the present headmistress of the School. 4,063 students have successfully completed their studies and passed through the portals of this School. 234 students are studying in the school at present.
There is a good infrastructure with a good school building plus other facilities. No fresh appointments of teachers by the Education Department causes great anxiety to the Management. Yet the Sisters are optimistic regarding the future of the School – for the love of God.