LBO - Sessions on self esteem

Living by Objectives

- Master Kavan Napanda (Std. IX )

St. Joseph’s High School,

Wadala,

1^st October 2013

It was an activity that was designed to be completed in two weeks, but due to the unscheduled Ganesh vacations, the program got stretched to over a month.  The brainchild of Fr. Allwyn Misquitta, our administrator, the sessions on LBO (Living By Objectives) conducted for the students of Stds. V to IX, had all the ingredients for a healthy and effective personal growth.  Their aim was to build a strong sense of self esteem in the students as also impact our society with our meaningful contributions.

The first of these sessions was held on 22^nd August 2013 for the students of Std. IX, and it ended with the programme for the students of Std. VII on 30^th September 2013.  The session was a day long program filled with activities, inputs, games, video presentations, and sharing of ideas. Though the theme running through these sessions remained the same for all the classes, the topics and activities differed to meet the needs of the different age-groups. 

Every session began with an introduction by Fr. Rector and the Principal/V. Principal. They asked the students to make the best use of the opportunity placed before them – an important activity for that since it was held not on a holiday, but a school working day – that would enable them to think, reflect, pray and act.  Fr, Allwyn was ably assisted by Mr. Harry in conducting the engaging day-long sessions.

A motto given to all of us by Fr. Allwyn at the beginning of every session has remained etched in memory : ‘I know, I can, I will, I must. I think all is well, the best is yet to come.’ There were interesting video clips and power-point presentations with strong messages – ‘Love and Belonging’, ‘Health and Happiness’, ‘Self-Esteem’, etc.   The five quotients – Physical, Emotional, Intelligence, Relationship and Spiritual -for a healthy living and effective growth opened our minds to a deeper living.  Quizes, songs, and games were an integral part of these sessions that helped to unwind and recharge! We had fruitful discussions on the environment and the need to care for it.  The seniors were given important information on the ill-effects of smoking and drugs.

 Every class ended the session with a desire of wanting more of such invigorating and effective LBO programs. Such was the mark that the day’s program left on each of us! Thank you Fr. Allwyn and Mr. Harry – you have set us thinking and reflecting.  ALL IS WELL. THE BEST IS YET TO COME!

Leaders meet for a follow-up!

EXCELLENCE UNDER CONSTRUCTION!

-  Master Atharva Chaturvedi

St. Joseph’s High School,

Wadala,

27^th Septmeber, 2013

In a country where corruption abounds (sadly alongside the rapid strides of progress in education, technology, telecommunication…), our political leaders are hitting the headlines for all the wrong reasons!  In this scenario, change has to happen. And it has to happen with the future of tomorrow – yes, the young students. The Adhyayan team, besides working on quality assessment and methods in education, has set out on a mission such as this. The members of the London based Adhyayan team-  Ms.Amisha Modi, Viveki Pasta and Prerna Aneja - met a group of fifty young leaders from St. Joseph’s High School, Wadala, and Don Bosco High School, Matunga, to train them for a better tomorrow.

The meeting was a follow-up session of the eight-day leadership program conducted for the leaders at the beginning of this scholastic year. This meeting took place on 20^th September 2013 at Don Bosco, Matunga.  A tricky questionnaire for us, the participants, set the ball rolling for the engrossing session ahead.  This helped us to depict clearly the present status of the student council – our rights and responsibilities as student representatives, and those of the students we represent. There were questions that needed strong evidence to prove that our school was truly marvelous.   As the student leaders cleared their stormy minds to answer these queries, the organizers were presently amazed and marveled at the active involvement of the students in this activity.

The brief session for the leaders ended with the energetic participants playing their favourite ‘SPLAT’.  Thanks to the rocking Adhyayan team members – they were successful in their task of bringing about some change in the Indian mindset by presenting to them the slogan, ‘Tum Chalo To Hindustan Chale’!

Assembly: Std. I B - "Clean and Green Mission"

"Clean and Green Mission"

-Ms. Sunita D’Souza

St. Joseph’s High School,

Wadala

25^th September 2013

The backdrop held the words  'I have the right to have a pleasant, clean and well-maintained school and grounds. I have the responsibility to care for our school environment - to keep it neat and clean and to be prepared to remove litter'. 

The junior-most two comperes of the Primary Section from Std. IB warmly welcomed Fr.Bernard Fernandes (Principal), Mrs. Matilda Fernandes (Head teacher) and all the teachers and students for their class assembly. A group of students then took the stage to emphasise the importance of maintaining cleanliness by singing melodiously the action song, 'Bits Of Paper'.

Some students then enacted a short skit based on the theme for the week which was wonderfully displayed on the backdrop. The scene depicted was that of a teacher on duty during the break reminding the students on the playground to keep the play area clean. The teacher stresses the need of a healthy environment speaking about cleanliness in the class. She reiterates the message that we must keep our surroundings clean, with the words ‘Cleanliness is next to Godliness’. If we learn to keep our classroom, school and playground clean, we will learn to keep our city clean too. The students promise to do their duty.  After the skit, a group of students dressed in green kurtas recited two poems titled,"Clean Up' and 'Are You Helping?'  

There was a meaningful and thought-provoking audio-visual presentation on ways to keep our school clean by working together as a team, with enthusiasm, and being eco-friendly! Some students then held placards with the messages, 'Grow More Plants', 'Make Use Of Dust-bins', 'Use Mats', 'Do Not Throw Rubbish On The Way Or Ground' and 'Do Not Use Plastic Bags'.

Fr. Bernard then addressed the students. He thanked and congratulated the Benjamins of the Primary Section for the wonderful presentation based on the theme for the week. He spoke about the need to keep our school and our surroundings clean and how we must all do our bit to make the school cleaner and greener. 

The students whose Green Ganesha idols were selected as the 5 best in the Green Ganesha Workshop were awarded certificates. The prize winners at the different activites on Friday were also awarded certificates: Stds. I-II - Spelling Bee, Stds. III -IV - Handwriting Competition and Stds. I- IV - Teachers' Day Card Competition. 

The assembly concluded with the singing of the school anthem.     

Smart kids off the blocks!

St. Joseph’s High School,

Wadala,

17^th Sept 2013

Grabbing the opportunities that come their way, many of our students are learning the art of active and creative participation in events, and excelling in them.  Two such events have seen the students of our school return with attractive and famed rewards under their belts.

Earlier this month, in the Mumbai leg of the state level Wild Wisdom Quiz that WWF (World Wide Fund) India conducted in collaboration with GreenLine, enthusiastic kids from over thirty Mumbai schools showed up for the event at Don Bosco Matunga.  Our school was represented by the bright duo, Master Nakul Karwa (Std. VIII A) and Master Yash Pardeshi (Std. VII B). These two Josephites did the school proud by winning the second place at this inter-school event missing a well-deserved trip to Delhi by a whisker!

Master Aditya Dubey (IX B) and Master Yash Malhotra (IX B) took part in the Google Developers Group (GDG), Mumbai DevFesT 2013, held at Atharva College of Engineering, Malad (W) from 12-14 Sep 2103.  From 900 registrations, 300 were selected for this event. There were different programs spread over the three days of this event - App(lication) design, Social networking APIS and Gaming. Aditya won the prize for the most tweets – judged on the most number of tweets during the event that was close to three hours.  Working as a team, Yash, with his Ipad, would compose the tweets, while Aditya got them posted. Both received certificates for participation, and a t-shirt each for the maximum number of tweets. They were the youngest competitors in the entire group.

Congratulations to these our smart kids!

In the news - our football teams!

A sedate, but significant start for the school football teams

St. Joseph’s High School,

Wadala,

16^th September 2013

The inter-school football season is at its peak, and the teams from St. Joseph’s High School are not far behind in stealing the limelight or creating a flutter of two. Making the best of the limited facilities available to them for practice, in and around the school (Five Gardens), our teams have gone past the very best in Mumbai to win accolades for the school in the different inter-school tournaments conducted thus far.

The u-14 football team began the defense of the trophy they won last year in style.  In the first game of the DSO tournament, they outclassed Xavier’s Fort, Mumbai 4-0.  Thereafter, they were made to struggle for their ticket to the finals by formidable opponents, Guru Nanak and DPYA.  In the finals, after dominating the first half and leading 1-0, the valiant boys ran out of steam to lose to Bombay Scottish 1-3.  A praiseworthy effort indeed to bring home the runners-up trophy!

Our school u-17 football team, after making a silent yet praiseworthy march to the semi-finals of the MSSA organized Airtel interschool football tournament, lost the match, yet won the hearts of many for their gritty display. They beat the big guns such as St. Francis d'Assissi, Borivili, before brushing aside the challenge of formidable teams Colaba Municipal, Sacred Heart Worli, and St Paul's Dadar.  All the team players, by virtue of their qualification for the quarter finals won an 'Airtel' jersey for their brilliant performance.  Tej Bohara won the best player award of the tournament and also earned a ticket as a reserve with the select city team to visit Goa.

Mention ought to be made of the coaches, Mr. Michael, Mr. Tony and Mr. Avinash.  Their hard work, belief and dedication have helped our teams earn laurels and maintain a good record in the top tournaments in the city. Kudos to them and the team!

Teacher's Day Special!

Teachers – We love you!

- Master Atharva Chaturvedi & Ms. Sunita D’Souza

St. Joseph’s High School,

Wadala,

7^th September 2013

More than a developing country, India is a country with varied cultures. A significant event, the Teacher’s Day, is celebrated on the 5^th of September - the birthday of Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan who was the first teacher of our nation and the second President of our country. It is indeed a very memorable day for all Indians as they express their gratitude and appreciation towards their teachers. The students of St. Joseph High School, Wadala were equal to the task on this remarkable day.

It all began pretty well in the morning when the students greeted their teachers. The entire school building kind of gave a 'red carpet' feeling to all the staff members of the school. The day began with a prayer recited by Fr. Principal over the intercom to invoke God's blessings on the entire Josephite family.  A group of students sang a beautiful song seeking God's blessings on all the teachers, thanking them for their selfless service.

The students of every class along with the student - teacher representatives from Std. X presented special items for their teachers in their respective classrooms. All the staff members were assigned classes (besides the class teacher) and they were felicitated with bouquets, and specially prepared programs.  Later, a special treat sponsored by the PTA representatives awaited the staff. At this time, the student-teacher representatives from Std. X did a commendable job of supervising and teaching the students in the various classrooms. The budding teachers received an enthusiastic response from the students.

After the break, the staff marched into the school hall that bore a grandiose look with fascinating decorations and attractive balloons.  The students greeted the staff with a resounding round of applause, after which the students of Std. X stepped on the stage to perform a mesmerizing dance.  The cute little primary kids, with their melodious voices, presented the song 'Teachers Of Mine' that struck a chord in every teacher's heart.  The head boy, Master Moksh Jain, read an address for the teachers that encapsulated the influence of a teacher on the life of every student and the gratitude that the student holds in his heart for his teacher which lasts a lifetime.  Fr. Principal then accepted a bouquet on behalf of the entire staff, from the student representative as a token of appreciation and love. There was a humorous skit enacted by the students of Std. IX akin to 'Mind Your Language' that was thoroughly enjoyed by one and all.  The students of Std. VIII performed a dance to rhythmic popular songs and danced to their heart's content to express their joy.

The program continued with an inspiring speech by the Rector, Fr. Godfrey D’Sa, after which the students of Stds. V and VI presented a very meaningful skit on the importance of teachers in our life.  A group then sang the song 'In Your Hands' to express their thankfulness for their teachers who hold tomorrow's smile in their hands. The about-to-weep-in-glee audience was then brought back to their ‘feet’ when the students of Std. VII staged an astonishing dance performance.  The students of Std. X enacted a skit based on the theme 'Past and Present' in which they portrayed scenes from their lives after leaving school through flashbacks that evoked a wonderful range of emotions in the audience.  Some of the students of Std. X then presented a floral tribute and a laminated card, specially prepared and designed by them, to every staff member.

Alas!! It all came to end like a fairy tale dream when Fr. Principal proposed the vote of thanks. He thanked Ms. Nicole Britto for working behind the scenes to make this special day a success, as also the leaders and all others who were directly or indirectly responsible for their contribution to make this day beautiful and meaningful for the teachers. The programme was indeed exciting and it was as entertaining as the old Black & White Bollywood Movies!

It was time for the teachers now to be by themselves for some games and a meal together.  Ensconced in the comfortable chairs of the newly renovated parish hall, the staff members were in for a special treat of ‘fun-filled’ games, snacks and a sumptuous lunch.  Fr. Principal addressed the teachers and thanked them for all their work which makes a big difference in the life of a student. He reiterated that every teacher deserves credit that is due to him/her just like was done today, and much more! Every staff member was presented with a small token of love by the Management for their contribution to the school and society in moulding the lives of youngsters placed in their care.

In our country the ‘guru’ is adored and respected.  May we the students strive to honour, love, care and respect them.  May their tribe increase!