Latins of Cyprus_EN

THE LATINS OF CYPRUS 22 One of the most important fields in which the Latin community of Cyprus has made a substantial contri- bution is education. The island’s Latin educational institutions, which have always been open to all schoolchildren regardless of origin, ethnicity or denomination, have educated tens of thousands of schoolboys and schoolgirls from all the communities of the island: Greek, Turkish, Armenian, Maronite, Latin and Jewish. As these institutions had boarding sections in the past, a large number of boarders from abroad also attended the Latin schools of Cyprus. Currently, only two Latin schools operate: the Terra Santa College in Nicosia and Saint Mary’s School in Limassol. The Terra Santa College is the oldest educational institution in Cyprus. It was established as a boys’ school by Franciscan monks in 1646 and was Educational Institutions initially housed next to the Holy Cross church. Since 1955, it has been operating in its own building in Acropolis, providing comprehensive education (Kindergarten, Elementary School, Gymnasium/Lyceum), while as of 1970 it has been co-educational; it currently has a total of about 400 students. Saint Mary’s School was established as a girls’ school by Franciscan nuns in 1923, under the name Terra Santa School for Girls, and was originally housed at the building where the offices of the Bishopric of Limassol are today. Since 1965, it has been operating under its current name in its own new building opposite the Law Courts, providing comprehensive education (Kindergarten, Elementary School, Gymnasium/Lyceum), while as of 2000 it has been co-educational; it currently has about 900 students. Both of these operate as private non-profit schools and cultivate multiculturalism. As of 2013, the l Terra Santa College's graduates in Nicosia (1957). l Typing class at the Terra Santa School for Girls in Limassol (1945). l The historic Terra Santa College in Nicosia.