Former Principals

Rev. Fr. V.G. Lambert SJ Oct. 1934 – Dec. 1937

The first Principal, Rev. Fr. V.G. Lambert, an ex-army officer, did not consider regularity and order, the monopoly of the army and drilled the boys in hard work. He considered spirituality the source of character building. He gave the school the distinctive stamp of his spirit. In a short period of over three years, he raised the school from humble beginnings to a position of strength. He built a large hall (Lambert Hall) to double up as classrooms and named the School after Edmund Campion. Fr. Lambert also introduced the school Anthem “The Campion Way” and designed the School Emblem with the motto, “Cur Hic Statis?” (“Why stand ye here?”)

Rev. Fr. T.A. Fleming SJ Jan. 1938 – Dec. 1942 & Nov. 1948 – June 1954

Fr. Fleming joined the school in its infant days, namely in 1935, and was its Headmaster for two terms. Though a stern disciplinarian, he was nevertheless loved by his students. Many old boys also remember the force of his “backhand” to this day. A highly qualified Marine Engineer and a marvellous teacher of Mathematics, Fr. Fleming worked ceaselessly to put the institution “on the map” (in his own inimitable words). The two important achievements of his stewardship were the acquisition of an adjacent compound of three and a half acres for the school and the construction, to a large extent, of the “de Rozario Building”.

Rev. Fr. J. Hession SJ Jan. 1943 – Nov. 1948

Fr. Hession, a witty, humorous, and gentle priest, served the school for nearly 30 years right from its infancy. The greatness of Fr. Hession lay in his excellence as a teacher of the English language. He was a broadcaster over All India Radio, and a speaker whom few could equal. He started the School Sodality in 1940 and remained its head till his death in 1969. He was also primarily responsible for starting the Campion Old Boys’ Association (C.O.B.A) in 1946. During his tenure, in the 1946 High School Examination, Campion boys secured the first four State ranks, a unique feat that is yet to be equalled.

Rev. Fr.J.Koilparambil SJ June. 1954 – Dec. 1957

Fr. Koilparambil, who was an amiable person, showed a keen interest in the development of the school. He was the first Indian Headmaster. He added Stds. I and II to the school. He gave the students a new uniform, namely, Oxford Blue Pants and White Shirts. In 1957, he published the school’s first magazine called the “Campion Annual”. The Mendonca Building stands as a monument of his achievement.

Rev. Fr.A.J.Tamby SJ Jan. 1958 – Dec – 1964 & Jan. 1969 – Dec. 1972

Being an ex-army man, Fr. Tamby was known for his strict enforcement of discipline. He introduced the Weekly School Assembly, the NCC’s three wings, and the Sea Cadet Corps. The School Chapel and the Fleming Pavilion are his contributions. Fr. Tamby, who elevated the school to great heights in academics and sports, during his tenure, was also instrumental in bringing the Montfort Brothers of St. Gabriel to manage the school in later years.

Rev. Fr.T.M.Mathai SJ Jan. 1965 – Dec. 1968

Fr. Mathai, a soft-spoken man, incapable of uttering even a harsh word, impressed many by his simple living and high thinking. His empathetic nature was largely responsible for the remarkable success achieved by the school in studies and sports during his stewardship.

Rev. Fr. R.W.Macedo SJ Jan 1973 – Dec. 1974

In 1972, when the Jesuits handed over the school’s management to the owners, the Diocese of Tiruchirapalli, Fr. Macedo, a Jesuit and former Campion student, was appointed Headmaster as an interim measure. Though young then, Fr. Macedo had the claim and aplomb of a sage. He ensured that the school maintained its excellence in various fields of activity during the ‘transition’ period.

Rev. Bro. John of the Cross, sg Jan. 1975 – May 1978

Bro. John of the Cross, the first headmaster among the Montfort Brothers of St. Gabriel, an experienced educationalist, strove to make the school a “bee-hive, buzzing with many co-curricular activities.” He instituted several clubs. In recognition of his work in the field of education, the Tamil Nadu Government conferred on him, while in Campion, the State Award for Teachers for the year 1975.

Rev. Bro. Antony of Padua, sg June 1978 – May 1980

Bro. Antony of Padua, a young, enthusiastic, energetic, and vibrant man, evinced a keen interest in upgrading the school to the Higher Secondary level. The Unity Building stands as a monument of his tenure.

Rev. Bro. Anslem, sg June 1980 – May 1986

Bro. Anslem, a man of boundless energy and a large heart, laboured to give added vitality to every field of the school’s activities. He introduced the Std. X Common Revision Tests for the Anglo-Indian Schools of Tamil Nadu. He inaugurated the National Service Scheme (N.S.S.) in Campion. The establishment of a mini-zoo, a concrete basketball court, a common prayer room, a couple of tennis courts and the Golden Jubilee Building are among his contributions. He was conferred with the 1981-1982 State Award for Teachers by the Tamil Nadu Government and with an Honorary Cultural Doctorate in the Philosophy of Education at the 38th Annual Conference of the World University, Tucson, Arizona, U.S.A.

Rev. Bro. Sebastian Joseph, sg June 1986 – May 1991

Bro. Sebastian Joseph, a stern disciplinarian who could brook no errancy, revitalized the institution’s quest for excellence. He established a Toy Library-cum-Resource Room for the primary school children. Alive to the need of the times, he introduced Computer Science for high school boys and formed the Environmental Conservation Group (Ecology Club). The Montfort Building that houses the Primary section is his contribution.

Rev. Bro. John Berchmans, sg June 1991 – May 1993

Bro. John Berchmans, a man with implicit trust in God laid stress on value education and endeavoured to make Campion ‘a temple of learning’. He constructed ‘Mariagam’, a new residence for the brothers.

Rev. Bro.A Selvanathan, sg June 1993 – May 1999

Bro. Selvanathan, a man of limitless energy, strove to infuse the school with a vitality that invigorated every activity with new life. He revamped the teaching and learning process in Campion, and established a Retiring Teachers’ fund. Among his many contributions, the most noteworthy are a multi-media centre, two office rooms, an intercom network, two school buses, two concrete basketball courts, a swimming pool, an assembly stage, a sports complex, a roller-skating rink, a canteen, Campofez (an inter-school cultural competition), the Std. XI Common Examination for the Anglo-Indian Schools of Tamil Nadu and permanent recognition for the Higher Secondary section.

Rev. Bro. S Michael, s.g. June 1999 – May 2002

Bro. Michael, a simple, experienced administrator, ensured that Campion’s pursuit of excellence went forward with the most cordial relationships. With more sagacity than authority, he ably steered the school into the new millennium. He was honoured with the 2001-2002 State Award for Teachers by the Tamil Nadu Government.

Rev. Bro. S Soosairaj, s.g. May 2002 – June 2008

Bro. Soosairaj, a young, dynamic Brother is blessed with an inheritance bequeathed by a host of dedicated priests and brothers, and devoted lay men and women. No challenges can daunt him, no task lies beyond him. He believes that with God everything is possible. It is with this spirit that he walks boldly in the footsteps of his pioneers and predecessors in whose memory he has raised the Indian Mission Centenary Building. This edifice of love and service with its modern infrastructure, while commemorating the commitment of a century, expresses its architect’s vision – that Campion goes forward in God’s design.

Rev.Bro. J Jesuraj, sg July 2008 – June 2011

Bro.Jesuraj, a man of deep faith and great wisdom, worked hard to translate all the great things he envisioned for Campion into reality, through prayer and meaningful action. He was honoured with the National Best Teacher’s Award in 2008. Bro. Jesuraj, who saw promise and potential in every child, laid strong foundations by embedding values and ethics in the hearts of everyone through a new trend of reach-out programmes. The school celebrated its Platinum Jubilee during his stewardship.

Rev.Bro. M.Arul, sg June 2011 – May 2015

Bro.Arul was a resourceful and effective administrator and a staunch disciplinarian, who introduced Meditation and Eco-spirituality as a way of life. At the heart of the campus, he laid a lawn and made it a botanist’s delight by surrounding it with a variety of potted plants. He chose to restore the lost vibrancy of colours to the spectrum of life at Campion by steering the school to reach new heights of excellence.

Rev. Bro. S.Soosairaj, sg June 2015 – May 2017

Bro.Soosairaj, an alumnus and a dynamic principal, strove to make Campion surge forward and excel as the best school in the state. He was honoured with the State Best Teacher’s Award in 2007 and the National Best Teacher’s Award in 2009. He constructed the Indian Mission Centenary Building, which houses a well-equipped English Language Laboratory. He also introduced an e-learning programme with smart boards in all classrooms and a digitalized library. He is the founder of the Montfort Social Service Guild. Above all, as an ardent lover of Nature, Bro. Soosairaj ensured that all students carried a sapling in their hearts to restore to earth the grandeur of God.

REV. BRO. DR. M. IRUDAYAM, sg June 2017 – May 2019

Bro. Irudayam, a visionary par excellence, revamped the educational system in Campion. With his spiritual dynamism, anchored in faith and values, he strove to shape Campionites on the anvil of time-honoured traditions. The COBA-Montfort Auditorium became a reality during his stewardship. Under his able guidance, Campion soared high to inspire generations in the Montfortian Way.

REV. BRO. L. JOSEPH SAHAYAM, sg June 2019 – September 2020

Bro. Joseph Sahayam strove to be true to his calling and faithful to his mission, ensured that results, not attributes defined his leadership. Exuding grace, calm and contentment, he lent a certain wholesomeness to the academic scene during the COVID-19 Pandemic period. He managed situations with sagacity and sensitivity and played a crucial role in shaping the course of events that helped Campion make a remarkable recovery during the rough and challenging times. His short tenure, characterized by a wise middle-of-the-road approach to vital issues, left an indelible mark on Campion’s development trajectory. The Grotto in the Swimming Pool, to house the statue of Our Lady, was built during his principal-ship.

Rev. Bro.R. James PaulRaj, sg September 2020 onwards

Bro. James Paul Raj, a man of exceptional kindness and generosity, dedicated to fostering a balanced approach to education and sports. He created an environment where students thrive holistically by prioritizing academic excellence and encouraging athletic and cultural participation. He constructed quarters for the welfare of domestic workers and a visitor’s hall near the school Chapel for the benefit of the primary school parents. He installed LED walls at the school entrances to display real-time information and create an impactful presence.
His notable contributions include a badminton court, a table tennis hall, a basketball court and a gym. He covered the Unity building with a roof to protect it from the rain and the sun.
During his tenure, our beautiful chapel, a sanctuary and a place for reflection for the students for the past 64 years was renovated and rededicated to “Regina Mundi”, the “Queen of the World”. He constructed a state-of-the-art tennis court commemorating 50 years of Montfortian presence in Campion. Buoyed by his constant care and unwavering support, our athletics and sports teams reached the ultimate point of perfection. At the 2024 Republic Day Sports meet, our rally team, under the 17 category, achieved a new state record by clocking an astonishing 43.74 seconds, marking a significant milestone in Campion’s athletics history. Recognizing his immense contribution to the cause of education, the Government of Tamil Nadu honoured him with the State Best Teacher’s Award in 2023. Under his visionary leadership, Campion gears up to celebrate its Nonagintennial Jubilee this year.