National Cadet Corps – Firing report

St. Joseph’s High School,

Wadala,

26^th July 2013

An interesting and engaging activity was on the cards for the NCC cadets of our school.  Sixteen of these our cadets from the second year got an opportunity to take part in the Firing event that was held on 19^th July 2013  at I.N. Kunjal – Firing Range Colaba.   It was organized by 1 Maharashtra Naval Unit, Mumbai.  The firing gun was a .22 Rifle, from which every cadet was given a round of five shot to target.  It was a test of skill, concentration and accuracy.  Joel Fernandes was awarded the best shooter from among the 16 cadets.  The firing event ended at 12 noon, and the cadets together with their NCC master, Mr. Raj trooped back to school happy for the enriching experience.

In the school, the training sessions of the NCC troupe go on vigorously under the watchful eyes of their master Mr. Raj.  The cadets gather early mornings every Tuesday and Friday for energetic workouts in activities related to NCC as well as a disciplined march past.  Skill training and theory sessions too make up the organized training schedule for our cadets. 

Assembly - Std. IX B

‘Being Safe’ - Class Assembly:  Std. IX B

-          Master Vismit Chavan

St.Joseph’s High School,

26^th  July,2013

The students of Std. IX B presented a wonderful class assembly on the topic of SAFETY on 22^nd July 2013.  They put across the message ‘Being safe is our right and keeping others safe is our responsibility’ through an excellent presentation. There was a skit in which all the students took an active part in the preparation of the backdrop, charts as also its enacting.  The students were ably guided by their class teacher Mrs. Shruti Rogye.

            The comperes began the proceedings at the assembly with a succinct introduction. This was followed by two skits wherein the topic of safety in the school, and road safety were highlighted.  There was further elaboration of the topic through a short video on safety. A novel idea to pledge safety was next on the cards where every member in the assembly promised a responsible attitude in safety towards self and others.

            The assembly concluded with a speech by Fr. Rector reminding everyone present about their rights and responsibilities towards safety, and the singing of the school anthem.

U-14 football team: DSO Mumbai city runners-up

A confident beginning – DSO football tournament

St. Joseph’s High School,  Wadala

24^th July 2013

The inter-school sports are just over a week old, and our boys have made an impact on the games thus far.  The DSO organized football tournament for the u-14 and u-16 age groups was underway last week, and our young inexperienced lads proved their mettle in both the categories.

The class and determination of the two teams were evident when they outclassed some well known teams and powerhouses in football.  The under 14 team surprised pundits to bag a well deserved runners-up position in the Mumbai City championship after losing to the champions Don Bosco High School, Matunga, 1-0.  Earlier on they beat the strong Bombay International School 11-10 via the tie breaker.

In the under 16 category of the same tournament, the Cathedral school team put an end to the string of victories of our resilient team in the quarter finals.  Putting up a brave fight, our boys went down 1-0 to a stronger (height and built!) team, but won a lot of admirers for their gallant effort.

Mr. Tony, Mr. Avinash and Mr. Michael form a strong team of dedicated coaches that have brought our teams thus far, given the limited playing fields and opportunities.  Well done boys and coaches! 

My Opinion - Class Assembly: Std. IV B

MY OPINION

- Ms. Sunita D’Souza

St. Joseph’s High School, Wadala

24^th July 2014

The backdrop held the words -'I Have The Right and I Have The Responsibility To Express My Opinion At The Right Time And Place And To Be Treated With Respect'.The compere warmly welcomed everyone on behalf of all the students of Std. IV B. The assembly began by seeking God's blessings on everyone and thanking Him for all that we have received through the words of the hymn, 'O Give Thanks To The Lord'. The skit that followed was based on the need to express our opinions (child's opinions in particular) at the right time and place. The students expressed their opinions about topics like prayer, homework, cleanliness, healthy food, class work, P.T. periods, computers, good manners, etc.  Next a power point presentation was conducted by two students to spread awareness about CRY (Child Rights and You), an organisation which focuses on striving to achieve the rights of every child. They elaborated on the rights that every child is entitled to.

A group of students dressed in formal attire expressively recited the poem 'IN MY OPINION' with each letter of the title pinned onto their shirts. They stated that they would express their opinions truthfully, being sensitive and genuine. They thanked everyone for listening to their opinions, for believing in them and for making them feel special! A troupe of dancers rhythmically, and through graceful movements,  portrayed their opinion about stopping child labour, as they danced to the song 'Bezubaan'. Each one of the dancers held a banner with a message depicting the rights and responsibilities of every child. The closing act in the dance highlighted the importance of every child labourer securing his right to education.

Fr. Bernard (Principal) then addressed the students. He congratulated the class and the class teacher for conducting the assembly well and appreciated the efforts taken to make the presentations colourful and vibrant.  He reiterated the need for every child to be able to express his opinions making everyone aware that opinions are formed at an early age and must be heard and respected. He also urged the children that they must be careful while forming an opinion about matters that concern them.

Certificates for the Friday weekly activity were then distributed. Mrs. Matilda announced the names of the winners and Fr. Principal congratulated them as he handed over their certificates!

The assembly ended with the singing of the school anthem with due reverence.    

Class assembly - Std. IV A

THE RIGHTS OF A CHILD

- Ms. Sunita D’Souza

St. Joseph’s High School,

Wadala,

10^th July 2013

The first assembly of the academic year in the Primary Section was conducted by the students of Std. IV A on the theme ‘Rights and Responsibilities'. There was a great emphasis on the right to be happy and to be treated with understanding. Greater was our responsibility to treat others with understanding - not to laugh at others, tease others, or try to hurt their feelings.

The compere warmly welcomed everyone to the class assembly of Std. IVA. God's blessings were implored on everyone present and His guidance sought through the words of the bhajan, 'Hum Ko Mann Ki Shakti Dena'. 

The students of Std. IVA expressed the right to be protected against all forms of neglect, cruelty and exploitation. Some students enacted a skit to demonstrate the right to affection, love and understanding, especially the right to treat each other politely.  A group of students then held flashcards to focus on the rights and responsibilities thus making us aware of their value. Through the words of the poem, 'Children's Rights' some students wonderfully portrayed the rights entitled to every child.

In the power-point presentation based on 'Politeness' two students expressed ways in which we could practise politeness on a day-to-day basis. Out came the Golden Rule, 'Treat others how we would like to be treated', which summed up the gist of their message. 

Fr. Bernard then addressed the students and staff members. He congratulated the class and the class teacher, Mrs. Smitha Lewis for the beautiful, thought-provoking assembly. He drew the attention of the students to the need to practise politeness at all times keeping the 'Golden Rule' in mind, because every person has the right and responsibility to be treated with respect and treat others with respect too. He stressed that every child has the right to be spoken to politely and he in turn has the responsibility to speak politely with others. 

The students who won the 1st and 2nd places in the Clay Moulding competition were congratulated. The competition on the theme ‘Rain Creatures’ was held on 28th June 2013 as part of the Friday Activity for the students from Stds. I –IV.

The assembly concluded with the singing of the school anthem.       

Feast of St. Dominic Savio and Installation of leaders of school

Installation of leaders

St. Joseph’s High School,

Wadala,

7^th July 2013

It’s that time of the scholastic year when the leaders look forward with great enthusiasm and anticipation.  It’s their ‘installation day’.  The feast of Dominic Savio is the moment specially chosen to install our leaders, for the saint provides the right motivation, inspiration and exemplary holiness.

A special Eucharistic banquet celebrated by the charismatic Fr. Allwyn Misquitta set the tone for the day’s proceedings.  All the leaders who were to be sworn-in at the installation ceremony during the day were present for the mass in their elegant attire, as also a large gathering of students, parents and well-wishers.

The first group to march in for the installation ceremony was the primary section.  A prayerful beginning followed by the investiture of the primary section captain and vice-captain by the Principal, Fr. Bernard Fernandes, set the pace for the others to follow.  The house captains and vice-captains were installed by the Principal, Fr. Bernard F, the Vice-Principal, Ms. Nicole Britto, and the head teacher of the Primary section, Mrs. Matilda Fernandes. Thereafter it was the turn of the class teachers to install the monitors of their respective classes.   The leaders, looking graceful and smart, promised under oath, to be helpful, honest and diligent in fulfilling their tasks.

The installation ceremony of the leaders of the secondary section was a well-orchestrated event under the able guidance of Ms. Cressieda, Ms. Rina and Mr. Raj.  The guests of honour, Fr. Bernard Fernandes (Principal), Ms. Nicole Britto (Vice-Principal/Headmistress) and Mrs. Sangita Bhattacharya (Supervisor) were escorted to the dais by the dapper looking and disciplined guard of honor. With a sprightly spring in their walk, the leaders, beginning with the head boy and the assistant head boy, trooped in to take their oath and receive their flag/sashes from the guests of honor.  Following the captains and vice-captains of the houses, it was the turn of the class monitors to be installed by their respective class teachers.  The impressive ceremony drew to a close with a message and a vote of thanks by the Principal, Fr. Bernard Fernandes.  A clarion call was given to the leaders to be respectful, loyal, efficient and exemplary, while the assembly was encouraged to obey and cooperate with the newly installed leaders to take the school to even greater heights!

SETS program underway!

The SETS program is happening!

St. Joseph’s High School,

Wadala,

2^nd July 2013

The SETS (Special Education Teacher Support) program designed to assist the learning disabled students is underway in our school this scholastic year.   The forty students from Stds. II and III, carefully chosen through a process of observation, testing and diagnosis by their class teachers during the last scholastic year, will be placed in a specifically devised classroom under a specially trained teacher.  The focus will be on the development of skills in English and Mathematics.  A trained resource person will oversee the preparation of IEPs (Individualized Education Programs) for the students designed to help them reach the same level of proficiency as the other students of their class over a period of time.

A brief orientation program was conducted for the parents of these students on 28^th June 2013 to help them understand their child better and assist us in this educative process.  Fr. Edward D’Souza sdb, briefed the parents through an effective power-point presentation on the specific learning disability in a child, and the procedures planned to implement the SETS program in the school.  Present at the meeting were Fr. Bernard Fernandes (Principal), Ms. Nicole Britto (Vice-Principal), Mrs. Matilda Fernandes (Head teacher of the Primary section), Mrs. Manjusha (SETS teacher) and Ms. Nisha (resource person).

The parents could not thank the Management and the support team enough for this wonderful gesture and initiative that will help their children see through this difficult yet challenging phase and bloom into successful individuals.