JOSEPHITES OUT FOR 'LET'

JOSEPHITES OUT FOR 'LET'

Gurpreet Singh Lamba

St. Joseph’s High School,

Wadala

26^th September, 2012

A very exciting day it was for us students (leaders) of St. Joseph’s on 21^st Sept 2012 as we were setting out for our leadership camp to Don Bosco Lonavala. The journey by bus commenced at 1.30pm with a short prayer by our Principal. We were accompanied by our Principal Fr. Bernard Fernandes, our Headmistress Ms. Nicole Britto, Ms. Cressieda Murzello, Mr. Tony Desa, and Mr. Avinash Gracious. Upon reaching Lonavla, we were welcomed by the Rector, Fr. Cletus D’Souza, and were served some light snacks and a cup of tea. Thereafter we were directed to the dormitory where we kept our luggage, and readied ourselves for a walk around the campus.  We were led by Fr. Bernard, who briefed us about the niceties of life in the boarding – not many of us were familiar with this way of life – and the happenings at the place.  As we walked, we reached Maria Ashiana, an institute for street children, where we saw the boys cleaning the place, helping each other and playing with one another.  We noticed that for these children the others around were their family. We were moved by this sight. Along the way, we saw the vast green grounds – a rare sight in Mumbai – and we could not resist the idea of a football/basketball game.  Fr. Bernard heeded to our request, and got a few aspirants to arrange for some sports equipment.  We had a great basketball match between the naughty ninth’s and the terrific tenth’s, while others enjoyed playing football, table tennis and badminton.

After the game, and then a quick bath, we were rejuvenated and ready for the first session. In the AV room, we were introduced to the team of Fr. Cletus, Sr. Caroline, Bro. Vishal and Sir Ryan who would together conduct the sessions on LET: LEADERESHIP EFFECTIVE TRAINING.

In the first session, Bro. Vishal explained the importance of a good leader through a video clipping on a game of football that showed the coach guide his team through effective communication; and then through an engaging blindfold activity with the message that a good leader has to be a guide and a good animator.

At dinner time, a well thought out arrangement in the dining hall, designed to bring together the Mumbai Josephites and Lonavla Boscoites helped create a bond between the two groups.  A lot of pleasantries were exchanged and personal information gathered over the dining table. This continued for some more time during the night recreation.

Another session in the night was conducted by Mr. Ryan who spoke to us about the five most valuable things that a leader should have: Goal Setting, Commitment, Passion, Visualizing things and Personal Belief.  It is the attitude, he said, that makes the lion the king of the jungle. It was necessary to communicate well, focus on our goals, motivate ourselves, and these would guarantee the making of a good leader. A movie was screened for us based on qualities of a leader.

It was then time to go to bed but the excitement and enthusiasm didn’t allow us to sleep much. We set out for a walk early next morning relishing the cool climate, savouring the sweet sound of the chirping of the birds, and delighting in the freshness of the early morning breeze.

After breakfast, the session was conducted by Sr. Caroline who involved us in some breathing exercises, and welcomed a feedback on the movie screened the previous night.  She left us with a very deep insight:  We carry something very important within ourselves, viz. ENTHUSIASM! Before lunch, we went shopping for chikki, fudge, farsan…these specialities of Lonavala still attract crowds to the sweet shops. After lunch, it was Fr. Cletus all the way. He compared two great personalities, HITLER and CHAPLIN, who differed totally from each other.  Fr. Cletus enlightened us on the topics of leadership and team, and summed up saying that it’s our attitude not aptitude that raises us to great altitude!

It was time to head back to the shores of Mumbai. With our bags on our shoulders, and armed with additional skills and attitudes on leadership, we bid good bye to the beautiful people (and the place) of Lonavala.  

Josephites aboard Science Express- Biodiversity Special

Josephites aboard Science Express- Biodiversity Special

- Tr. Cleo & Nimit Kamdar

St. Joseph’s High School,

Wadala,

24^th September, 2012

A 16 coach Ac train, designed for a mobile exhibition, named as science Express travels around India creating awareness about BIODIVERSITY. This train has been on the move since 5^th June 2012 and will continue its journey till 22^nd December 2012. The Express made its stop at Mumbai CST station on platform 13 on Friday 14^th September 2012 during the latter part of the night.

30 students of our school, divided into two groups, along with two teachers, Mrs. Cleo and Mr. Sunny, headed for the mobile exhibition with great enthusiasm. The students volunteered willingly to give a helping hand towards the good cause of creating awareness among the citizens of Mumbai, especially school children, through this biodiversity program.

The students and the teachers, after having attended an orientation session a day prior to the exhibition, were as keen as mustard to take up the responsibilities assigned to them. The boys were briefed about the rules of the exhibition and the tasks at hand.  While some were trusted with the duty of guiding the people to the exhibition, the others were authorized to register the schools and the students that came from near and far to attend the biodiversity program. Still others were depended upon to direct and instruct the people to vote for the National Microbe. The following eight microbes had enrolled for the National Microbe contest:

1.       Captain Phogo

2.       Wily Wild Yeast

3.       King Cole

4.       Longy Lacto

5.       Sunny Spiro

6.       Mighty Mucor

7.       Ready Rhizo

8.       Bold Blue Mold

We had the fortune to take a tour of the Science Express train. Inside the train there were animals and flowers found all over the globe, and fossils of ancient times. There were experiments and displays on the study of the universe, our ecosystem, de-polluting the environment, etc. Hands on experiments in Mathematics and Science were conducted on the lab aboard the Science Express. Sixteen of our students managed to complete all the experiments successfully and were awarded the JOY OF SCIENCE certificates.

PARYAVARAN MITRA was a program conducted for teachers. Its aim was to guide and build positive environmental actions at individual, community, national and global level. The growing concerns of the environment and the related topics such as Water, Waste Management, Energy, Biodiversity, Culture and Heritage formed the pivotal themes of the Paryavaran Mitra. The former erudite President of India, Dr. Abdul Kalam is the brand ambassador for this project.

The BNHS India (Bombay National History Society) conducted a slide show on the flora and fauna in Mumbai with an emphasis on the need to protect these important and rare species, which if not nurtured could be extinct in the years to come.

Our group of Josephites rounded up their volunteering-cum-learning experience at the Science Express train with a wealth of knowledge and a desire to contribute more to society, in particular, our environment. The group did get a special mention from the organizers, especially the BNHS for their selfless work and enthusiastic response.  It feels good to be part of a worthy cause. 

An honoured visit of our Provincial, Fr. Michael Fernandes

An honoured visit of our Provincial, Fr. Michael Fernandes 

-Casiola Fernandes

On 18th September, 2012, an erudite personality stepped into the school for the annual visit.  Warming up to the students and the staff in his convivial and simple style, Fr. Michael Fernandes, our Provincial made the day and the visit a memorable one for all. The students and staff of St. Joseph’s High School, Wadala, were busy preparing themselves for this momentous occasion – after all, it is Don Bosco in our midst once again- and were eagerly awaiting his arrival.  

The day began with the assembly in the school hall. The Provincial and the guests were welcomed with the guard of honour by the school leaders looking dapper in their blazers, and then escorted to the dais for the felicitation.  Master Neel Mehta, the school leader, addressed the Provincial on behalf of the management, staff and the students, and the assistant head boy, Master Sandesh Ramraje, feted him with a potted plant, symbolic of our greening endeavors. Paying glowing tributes to the Provincial, our Principal, Fr. Bernard Fernandes, introduced the honoured guest to the assembly. Thereafter, Fr. Michael Fernandes, in his own inimitable manner, kept the audience spellbound with a couple of tongue twisting riddles and a message to be rejuvenated from the energy within each of us.  

This time around, in the presence of the Provincial, it was the turn of Std. VIA to present their message – Energy powering modern healthcare. Effectively guided by their class teacher, Ms. Joanna Fernandes, the students of Std. VI A piqued the interest of the assembly on this topic through a brilliant and creative presentation.

The Provincial, together with the Principal, paid a brief visit to the students of the Pre-Primary and the Primary section.  He endeared himself to the students with his wise-cracks and confabulations. In a meeting with the staff members, Fr. Michael spelt out the ‘Seven ways to be a good teacher’: 1. Respect, 2. Positive attitude, 3. Sense of humour, 4. Raising the bar,  5. Consistency, 6. Fairness to everyone,  7. Strong bonding with the students.  He ended his talk with these beautiful words: Kindness touches the hearts of students.  Fr. Provincial kept himself available to the staff for personal meetings, and after having met a few staff members, took our leave, after having spent some quality time with us.

Thank you, Fr. Provincial.  Long live Don Bosco! 

NCC CADET REPORTS

- Arpit Dedhia

The last quarter of the month of August proved a fruitful one for us NCC cadets of St. Joseph’s High School, Wadala.  We were posted at Military station, Wadala (E) from 22^nd to 31^st August 2012 for the Maharashtra Naval Unit Annual Training Camp.

NCC training is all about work, exercises and discipline. The time table at the camp was so designed to give us training in all these aspects, besides some regular moments for games and recreation that were interspersed in the daily schedule.  The day would begin as early as 6 am with PT and drills.  During the day, we would have the regular muster, parades, lectures on health, hygiene and discipline, and cleaning of the surroundings.  There was a special visit to the lion gate, where the majestic Indian naval ships could be viewed in all their splendor and glory. We were shown the naval ships INS Virat, INS Teg, INS Delhi, INS Trishul and INS Talwar.  We were fortunate to take a look at six submarines too. Some other interesting and engrossing features of our camp were the snake show, where we were briefed on the different types of snakes on display, and a peep into the disciplined march past of our seniors with rifles SRL8.  Brain and brawn were both tested at the elocution and tug-o-war contests.  We a trifle disappointed when the rifle shooting event and training was not held due to paucity of equipment (rifles).  The last night at the camp was a colourful one with cultural events and contests for the participants.

The NCC training camp provided us with the training of the necessary skills in parades, naval orientation, first aid treatment, social service, rope knots and semaphore (signal communication).  Together with Mr. Raj Reddy, our NCC master – who made it a point to visit us on a couple of occasions during the camp – we are ready (and certain) to scale greater heights in the naval skills and training. 

Safe with Safe Kids

SAFE WITH SAFE KIDS

-Bernard Fernandes

St. Joseph’s High School

Wadala

18^th September, 2012

Last year, in an effective tie-up with the Safe-Kids foundation, the school chose to blaze a trail in pedestrian safety. Safe Kids Worldwide is a global network of organizations with a mission of preventing unintentional childhood injury, a leading cause of death and disability for children ages 14 and under. The 23 member countries of Safe Kids Worldwide bring together health and safety experts, educators, corporations, foundations, governments and volunteers to educate families, create safer environments and advocate for improved laws to protect children.

Having completed some surveys with the students and parents – student walkability checklist, student behavioral survey (walking to school, crossing the road…), student traffic safety knowledge survey – and after having gained relevant information, the path was clear to further this study, and work on the hazards surrounding traffic safety.  The students were administered a post research survey. The working committee and a group of road safety professionals carried out the school zone assessment that served as a tool for further study and interventions.

MUMBAI ENVIRONMENT SOCIAL NETWORK (MESN) and BRIHANMUMBAIMAHAPALIKA SHIKSHAK SABHA (BMSS) were the partners of Safe Kids Foundation for conducting the Model School Zone Project in our school.  MESN was instrumental in carrying out a detailed research and assessment of the school zone, and presenting some noteworthy concerns and interventions. The members of this group highlighted a few concerns such as, lack of pedestrian safety and comfort, traffic congestion, Inappropriate and undefined drop off / pick up, parking, waiting zones, absence of legible road markings/signage's, wrong / no defined pedestrian crossings, Inadequate and inconsistent foot paths and high pedestrian  intensity edge. 

Their interventions and inferences were of greater significance.  Sample some of these:  Need to re-organize the school gates w.r.t.  intensity; defined, easily accessible and safer pedestrian crossings; slow, steady vehicular traffic flow with segregated pedestrian traffic,; bigger roundabout of appropriate size for easy and disciplined turning of all type of vehicles; restricted, defined, paid parking; defined, restricted, drop off and pick up zones – 2w/4w/bus; defined waiting area;  appropriately located legible signage’s.  The detailed study and recommendations, after being presented to the management of the school, were put forward, and discussed, at a stakeholders’ meeting on 10^th Sept., 2012, attended by the MESN group, BMSS heads and staff members, traffic cops, PTA executive members, social workers, representatives of our own management team, staff and students.

One of the notable features of this exercise was the contribution by our own students through Photo Voice.  Ten of our students were trained by the Safe Kids staff to bring alive the traffic hazards we face through photos taken from strategic points.  Parents, well wishers and teachers volunteered to accompany this group to the spots assigned to them to carry out their task.  The response was amazing – they clicked astonishing snaps to bring closer home some of the oft forgotten truths and facts of traffic hazards. The students were bold enough to paint a vivid description of the situation before an elite audience of professional s, social workers, educators and public servants at the stakeholders’ meet. 

The focus now shifts to the training program for the students and awareness programs for parents and the concerned public. There lies a greater challenge ahead of us. Time to jettison old habits and embrace refreshing, intrepid and safe practices to ring in the new!

For further information on Safe Kids foundation, visit the site:

 http://www.safekids.org/worldwide/model-school-zones/india/

ST. JOSEPH'S: U-14 MUMBAI CITY SOCCER CHAMPS

U-14 MUMBAI CITY SOCCER CHAMPS

St. Joseph’s High School, Wadala, walked away with top honours at the DSO organized football tournament. The u-14 school football team was crowned Mumbai City Champions when they won the finals against Bombay Scottish via the tie-breaker at Don Bosco, Matunga grounds on Saturday, 15^th September 2012. In a match dominated by our youngsters, but unlucky to find the back of the net on numerous occasions, the indomitable spirit of our boys triumphed. It’s rightly said that physical sports and sporting competitions aren't always won by the biggest and strongest. There has to be, and there is, a large mental aspect to it too. Whether it is in pre-event preparation, in-game tactics, dealing with pressure, and then performance review.  You have to give credit to the head coach of this particular team, Mr. Micahel D’Silva, and the assistant coaches, Mr. Tony De Sa, and Mr. Avinash Gracious. They have transformed this team from easy pushovers to formidable achievers. Guts, focus and sheer determination have brought this team thus far.   

It was a pleasing afternoon for the Josephites – however physically and mentally exhausted at the end of it – when they outclassed the much stronger and physically built Bombay Socttish team through some tactical and skilful moves. They would have been ahead by at least a couple of goals, if not for some floundering at the opponents’ goal.  Having played a goalless draw at the final whistle, our boys held their nerves to emerge victorious 4-2 in the tie-breaker.  Earlier in the day, in the semi-finals, our team won 2-0 against St. Paul’s, Dadar.  Our ace-striker Tej scored both the goals. In the run up to the semi-final, they had seen the back of Bombay International and Aditya Birla, scoring easy 3-0 and 2-0 victories respectively.   

With the DSO tournament shoe horned in the middle of a busy MSSA calendar, our students have hardly any time for a break and a well deserved celebration. They move on to prove their mettle in the MSSA tournament, and also fight for a place in the DSO zonals in the days to come. However, that can wait. As of now, let’s celebrate their mighty victory. Three cheers, young Josephites!  

Cast in a Green Mould : Green Ganesha Workshop

CAST IN A GREEN MOULD

-Ms. Sunita D’Souza

With the Ganesha festival just round the corner, 115 enthusiastic students jumped into the bandwagon of yet another greening activity.  The impetus for this program was already provided last year at the Green Ganesha workshop held at Don Bosco Matunga by the GreenLine team.  On Thursday, 13^th September, the students of the Primary and Secondary section were at it again – to put their creative abilities to the test at the Green Ganesha workshop at St. Joseph’s High School, Wadala.  Mrs. Sunanda Nivase from the Vidya Margam, Powai, organization, together with a team of ten members, was here to conduct this workshop.  Having equipped themselves with material (clay) from the shores of Powai lake, eco-friendly decorative material and paper plates needed for the workshop, the organizers were set to take the excited Jospehites by storm.  The participants were asked to sit in groups (about 15 in each), and handed a required amount of brown clay.  With the assistance and expertise of the volunteers, the youngsters got into their creative mould, as their hands (and minds) worked to carve exquisite designs of the Lord Ganesha.  The hall was bathed with an outpouring light of faith and hope.  There was a blend of aesthetics and devotion, creativity and hard work, concentration and excitement.  Deft finishing touches, neat decorations, pleasing art styles and vibrant colors were noticed in an array of green Ganeshas lined up for display.  Fr. Mayank from Don Bosco, Gujarat, and Ms. Devyani were assigned the difficult task of choosing the ten best idols prepared by the students at this workshop.  Encouragement for this venture came from different quarters – Fr. Savio Silveira Director of the GreenLine team, who too paid a surprise visit during the workshop, our Principal Fr. Bernard Fernandes and Headmistress Ms. Nicole Britto, the staff members, Mrs. Pavita Fernandes and Ms. D’Souza, and Ms. Devyani Singh and Ms. Parveen Shaikh from the GreenLine team.  

The green Ganesha’s have made their way to the homes of our school students.  May they find a place in many more families, homes, mandals and HEARTS of the devotees during this festive Ganapati season.

You have made a difference

YOU HAVE MADE A DIFFERENCE

- Casiola Fernandes

As I approached my school, something caught my attention outside the school gates on the morning of the 5^th of September. There was an unusual sight of vendors with roses, bouquets, cards and our school children had flocked around them.  The peddlers had sensed the pulse of the children and went about marketing their products in a way they only can.  A child was pleading with his father, “Please allow me to buy one rose for my teacher!” The parent could not refuse his child, at least on Teacher’s day!

Teacher’s Day is celebrated as a tribute to the valuable contribution made by teachers to the society for imparting knowledge to their students, enlightening the receptive minds and shaping their career. For the students, Teacher’s Day is an occasion to revere and honour their teachers, and display gratitude to them for their selfless efforts in shaping their career and enriching the education system in the process.

The students of Std. X of St. Joseph’s, Wadala left no stone unturned to make this day the best day possible for their teachers. They stayed late on the eve of the teacher’s day to decorate the offices, staff room and the school hall with balloons, festoons, flowers…and also fine tune the program for the following day. 

The day began with a prayer service, with our principal Fr. Bernard and the Primary head teacher Mrs. Matilda enlightening us with a wonderful prayer and reflection. The class felicitation followed immediately after.  Each class felicitated its class teacher and some other staff members assigned to that particular class. The children prepared small skits, recited poems, and danced for their teachers. Later the ‘student teachers’ of Std. X took over for one period, and very soon they realized that they had a lot on their plate – teaching, minding, correcting, reprimanding, cajoling.  Around this time, the staff members were treated to a tasty snack by the PTA executive body.  The focus then shifted to the school hall where the program was to take place.  All the students gave a standing ovation to the teachers as they entered the hall and took their seats.

The students of Stds. I and II came forth with a terse yet attractive presentation on the word TEACHER, while Std III and IV expressed their gratitude through the recitation of a poem.  The dance of the frisky boys of Std. IX boys exhilarated one and all, after which, a short play and the song ‘You have made a difference’ by Std. V rekindled within us teachers the flame of our precious vocation. It was a revelry of sorts as Std VIII performed their lively dance.  Fr. Godfrey, our Rector, then addressed the gathering and spoke eloquently on the importance of a teacher’s vocation vis-à-vis the other professions.  The song and dance continued with Std. VII singing the songs “Pyar deewana hota hai’ and ‘I love my teacher’. Last, it was the turn of the students of Std X to regale the audience with their creative skit that rightly ended with a song ‘You have made a difference”.  In a symbolic gesture, Fr. Bernard, Ms. Nicole, Mrs. Matilda, Ms. Cressieda, Ms. Marilyn, and Mrs. Thelma, joined in the last verse of this song dedicating it to the students. In his vote of thanks, Fr. Bernard, our Principal, made a special mention of the students of Std. X who were ably guided by Ms. Nicole, for the carefully planned and well executed program for the teachers.

A special treat awaited the teachers after the program. So off we went to put the shrimp on the Barbie – destination, ‘Spaghetti Kitchen’, Bandra. A sumptuous meal – a la Italia – capped the day’s proceedings.