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!