According to old records of St. Paul's, the first Old Boys' association came into being in 1906 during the Rectorship of the Rev. E.A. Newton. For some unknown reason, it was given the rather unusual name of "Old Paulinians' Club." This Club's aims were "to foster in every way the spirit of loyalty to the School; to act as a bond of union among Old Boys'; to bring a cricket and hockey team to play against the School annually, during the Pujahs; and to hold an annual dinner in Calcutta in the course of the cold weather."
The President of the Club was to be the Rector, assisted by an Honorary Secretary and three
members to be elected at the annual general meeting of the Club. All Old Boys of St. Paul's were
eligible for membership, and so were all the members of the "educational staff." The annual
subscription was to be Rs. 6. The Old Paulinians' Club flourished for a few years, but then appears to have become defunct.
It was with the coming of Mr. Goddard that, in 1934, there was a revival of Old Boys' activities with the formation of the Old Paulite Association. Its aims and objects were similar to the previous Club's with minor modifications including an enlarged General Committee to manage its affairs.
Over the past four decades, the OPA has functioned in fits and starts, with some periods showing a spate of activities while, in some years, the Association did very little. In the last ten to twelve years, however, its annual dinners, held jointly with the Paulite Parents Association, have been extremely popular and well attended. One of the most memorable event was the Farewell Dinner held by the OPA for Pa, Mr. LJ Goddard and Mrs Goddard on August 17, 1964, This was attended by over 250 guests including some distinguished educationists and other public dignitaries. The brochure published on that occasion remained until now the most authoritative record of St. Paul's.
The OPA continues to be popular. Moving with the times, the Association has plans for greater
activities in the years ahead, and has now the closest connection with the School. The Association is grateful to the Rectors, Leslie Goddard and his dynamic successor, David Gibbs, for the continued support, guidance and help they always accorded the OPA.
TO CONTACT THE CALCUTTA OPA, PLEASE WRITE TO:
OLD PAULITE ASSOCIATION
C/O B.B.W.A
27, NETAJI SUBHAS ROAD
CALCUTTA 700 001
WEST BENGAL, INDIA
EMAIL: opa-cal@zubin.com
The above information was reprinted from an article written on the OPA by "SM" which was printed in the St. Paul's School Commemorative Volume 1823-1973.