Dengue Awareness Campaign

DENGUE AWARENESS CAMPAIGN

St. Joseph’s High School,

Wadala

29^th October 2013

The sickness is indeed a cause for concern in the city of Mumbai, the state of Maharastra and our country India. Dengue has taken its toll on the health of unsuspecting ordinary citizens, and if not checked, can prove to be fatal, as is happening with the people in our country.

It is indeed praiseworthy to notice the resoluteness of the government and Education department to conscientize the public and fight the sickness. Our school teacher representatives were part of the Dengue Awareness program that was organized by the Education Department for the staff of the many schools in Mumbai. The knowledge gained at this seminar was shared by the teachers with the entire school staff community at a staff meeting. 

The focus of the campaign has now shifted to the students of the school who are made aware of the causes and ill-effects of this dreaded sickness.  The Primary section and the Secondary section are given inputs in groups by our staff members Mrs. Manjusha, Ms. Sagaya Rani, and Mr. Somnath.  The students gather either in the AV hall or the school hall for an AV presentation that highlights the meaning of the term, the mosquito that is the carrier of this sickness, the breeding places of this mosquito, the remedies for sickness, solutions to protect ourselves, and above all the need to keep our surrounding clean. The explanation was well documented and supported by striking pictures and images.  A discussion would follow the AV presentation where the students would resolve to take the necessary measures to spread awareness of the dengue sickness and also the means that need to be taken for prevention and cleanliness.

A specially designed handout enumerating the do’s and don’t’s to safeguard against this dreaded disease has been prepared by the teachers to be handed over to every student – a small step to take forward this campaign and keep Mumbai safe!

Let the light of God touch us – the Diwali Prayer service

St. Joseph’s High School,

Wadala,

28^th Oct 2013

The conclusion of the first session of the scholastic year marks not only the beginning of a well-deserved mid-year break but also allows time of preparation for the festive Deepavali season.  The secondary section of the school today ushered in this beautiful festival of lights through a quiet and meaningful prayer service.

The mood in the hall was just right – sober stage-lighting and a calm prayerful ambience.  The guests – Fr. Godfrey D’Sa (Rector), Fr. Bernard Fernandes (Principal) and Ms. Nicole Britto (Vice-Principal) lit the samay (lamp) as a devotional bhajan played in the background.  The readings from the holy books – the Bible, the Koran and the Bhagavad gita were read and this was interspersed with some rich commentary and insights by the leader, Ms. Joanna Fernandes. 

Fr. Godfrey D’Sa, in his address to the assembly, touched on the salient aspects of the Diwali festival – the return of Rama from exile, the victory of Krishna, and Laxmi pujan – all of which signify the triumph of good over evil.  He exhorted the gathering to allow the light of God to touch and transform them this Diwali season. 

A beautiful dance – that was also performed earlier on at the inter-school dance competition ‘Festival of Love’ – by our students showed that love is still the answer for peace and harmony in the world.  A heartfelt rendition of the profound hymn ‘Make me a channel of your peace’ by the entire assembly summarized the mood at the prayer-service.  The environment and its care and protection are something that will always be close to our heart.  Master Vismit Chavan shared a few green initiatives that could be practiced by each of us this Diwali season, making it thus an even meaningful and a bright shining festival.

A remarkable prayer service to mark the festival of Diwali, and a commendable team effort by Ms. Joanna Fernandes, Ms. Cressieda Murzello and students to get it organized! Thanks.

Happy Diwali!

Assembly - IV B

Working Together With The Local Community

- Ms. Sunita D’Souza

St. Joseph’s High School,

Wadala,

1^st October 2013

The two comperes of Std. IVB warmly welcomed everyone in the school hall. They highlighted the theme for the class assembly viz. to make everyone aware of the rights and responsibilities they are entitled to, and which must be put into action. The backdrop held the words depicting the theme for the class assembly. The Chief Guest for the assembly, Fr. Bernard Fernandes, was escorted in the school hall by Mrs. Matilda Fernandes (the Headmistress of the Primary Section).

A prayerful beginning was followed by the song 'People Over The World' sung by a group of students dressed in ‘global’ costumes. The song reflected their desire for universal brotherhood, peace, sharing, understanding and love. A group of students with hands held together with a display of unity marched on the stage singing melodiously the action song, 'Bind Us Together' imploring peace and unity.

Charged with the theme of cleanliness, tidiness and modesty, some students then performed a lively dance with brooms and mops. It portrayed the joy in one’s work and pride in wearing the school uniform - dignity of labour as well as the expression of love for the school they call their second home!  The dance, the banners with the messages based on cleanliness, tidiness and modesty, and the unfurling of the paper rolls to reveal the words - 'We Love You' 'St. Joseph's High School, Wadala', all had a touch of creativity.

It was now time for the members of the local community to take the stage. The students dressed in the costumes of the members of the local community they represented - Greenline Team, Don Bosco Shelter, Safe Kids Foundation, Doctors, Traffic Police, Parishioners, Municipality and the School Canteen- spoke about the ways in which they reach out to our school. One student in turn emphasized how they as students could help the local community by following the rules and becoming good citizens. In the power-point presentation that followed, three students had the words 'cleanliness, 'tidiness' and 'modesty' pinned onto their costumes. They conducted the power-point presentation with an express desire to entreat cleanliness, tidiness and modesty.

Fr. Bernard then addressed the students. He thanked the students and their class teacher, and praised them for the innovative and informative presentation on the theme for their class assembly. He reinforced the theme on cleanliness, tidiness and modesty through a series of questions and answers. Later, the winners of the Friday competitions were awarded their certificates. Fr. Bernard congratulated the winners of the ‘Best Out Of Waste’ competition and complimented them for the fantastic works of art they created out of waste material.    

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

A Day in the Sun (and Water) – Class Picnics!

St. Joseph’s High School,

Wadala,

18^th October 2013

The excitement was palpable; the atmosphere charged and laden with anticipation of the unfolding of the exciting activity of the day. The restless birds had trooped in as early as 5.30 am.  By 6.30 am, the Adventure tour buses were lined up on the quiet lanes of Nathalal Parekh road and the adjoining flyover leading to Wadala (E) to transport the eager students to their class picnic destinations. The energetic volunteers of the Adventure tours sporting red t-shirts and caps stood ready to escort their charges to the awaiting marked vehicles.

The entire school (including the Kindergarten students) had the itinerary chalked out for the day’s class picnics.  The Jr. and Sr. Kg. were to visit the sprawling Patwardhan gardens at Bandra (W); the Primary section opted for the scenic Panormic Resort at Karnala, Panvel; the picturesque Silent Resort, Manor was the destination for the lively group of students from Stds. V to VIII; the students of Std. IX took the long ride to their picnic spot, Sargam Water Park, Vasai; while the batch of Std. X chose to spend some quality time at Suraj Water Park, Thane.

After a common prayer at the start of the day at school, there was a beeline to the main gates of the school to board the vehicles specially arranged for the occasion. The bus journey – to and fro – though a little long, provided enough mirth and entertainment for the picnickers as there were wise-cracks, shayaris, songs and the like.  The picnic spots and swimming pools offered ample moments for fun, relaxation, swims, games and the usual banter associated with such excursions.  The delicious food and snacks capped the thrill of the fabulous outing.

 Thanks to the management for a special day set aside for the class picnics, as also the meticulous planning for the same; to the staff for their cheerful, yet mindful presence among us; and to the excellent support staff and volunteers of Adventure tours who left no stone unturned to give us the best.  Signing off feeling invigorated yet grateful!

Rising up to our potential - Assembly II B

 I Have The Right To Explore Learning And Make The Best Use Of My Potential!

-Ms. Sunita D’Souza

St. Joseph’s High School

Wadala

27^th August 2013

The two comperes dressed in formal attire, warmly welcomed everyone, especially the guests Ms. Nicole Britto (Vice-Principal) and Mrs. Matilda Fernandes (Head teacher), in the school hall.  The backdrop held a cut-out of the sun in the centre with its rays pointing to the following messages - ' Be Active', 'Be Safe', 'Be Respectful', 'Be Up-To-Date', 'Be Punctual', 'Clean Well', 'Not To Interfere'! The panels on either side of the stage held the words,  'Co-operate with your teachers' and 'Be on time'.

The skit presented by the students was a beautiful depiction of some scenes in the classroom that gave some wonderful messages to the audience - completing work, prayer time and punctuality, handling disturbance in class and being aware that competitions benefit us. Some students held banners during each scene such as - ' Work - Keep It Up-To-Date', 'Be Punctual', 'Do Not Interfere With Others' and 'Co-operate with Teachers' and 'Be Involved In Activities'. A group of students provided examples of activities like sports, drawing, singing, dancing, etc. where they were presented with opportunities to make the best use of their potential.

The group of students who sang the song, 'It's I Who Builds Community' melodiously sang the lyrics as they built it up with the words 'It's You', 'It's We', 'It's Love', 'It's God' to express their desire to bring about a positive change in the community together! One of the students held the banner with the words - 'Let's Work Together and Help Each Other.'

Through the power-point presentation, two students exhibited the rights and responsibilities that every student must practise daily. 

They highlighted the following -

I have the responsibility to co-operate with teachers and other students to make sure that lessons proceed effectively,

I have the responsibility to keep up-to-date with required work, 

I have the responsibility not to interfere with other students' right to learn, 

I have the responsibility to be punctual, to attend school and to take part in activities that will be of benefit to me.

Ms. Nicole then addressing the students described the true meaning of the word 'potential'. She got the students to name the activities that they were interested in - playing football, drawing, singing, dancing, etc. These she said, along with one conducted by the students of Std. II B, are examples of opportunities presented to us to maximize our potential. She congratulated the class teacher and all the students of Std. II B for their beautiful presentation of the theme for the week. She stated that every student has the right to explore learning and make the maximum use of his potential.

The yellow house students were congratulated by Ms. Nicole and awarded certificates for winning the Friday weekly activity:  Stds. I & II - 'Stepping Stones', and Stds. III & IV - 'Paper Blowing'.    

The assembly ended with the singing of the school anthem.

Assembly presentation on rights and responsibilities by Std.IV A

Rights and Responsibilities Go Hand In Hand

- Ms. Sunita D’Souza

St. Joseph’s High School,.

Wadala

24^th Sept 2013

The two comperes of Std. IV A warmly welcomed everyone in the school hall for their class assembly. Ms. Nicole Britto was the special guest for the assembly. The theme for the assembly was - I have the right to be provided with a school in which I am not in any physical danger. I have the responsibility of telling teachers about any defective building or fittings and also the responsibility not to destroy school equipment.

The assembly began with two well presented skits depicting practical examples from the students’ daily life.  In the first skit, the students spoke about the importance of saving water and the steps to avoid unnecessary wastage and leakage. In the second skit, the students were made aware of care and concern for school property such as library books that need to be handled well. A group of students recited, with conviction and enthusiasm, a poem titled, 'Rights And Responsibilities' to remind us of some of our rights and responsibilities.

In the power-point presentation that followed, examples of how school property should be taken care of were cited and the duties of students were listed. Placing our school in the hands of God, a group of students then soulfully sang the hymn, 'Bless Our School', seeking His guidance and protection on us always.

Ms. Nicole then addressed the students. She congratulated the class teacher and the students for their wonderful class presentation. The winners of the Friday Activity - Elocution Competition - Ian D'Souza (Std.IVA), Umang Achalia (Std.IIIA) and Daniel Teddy (Std.IIIB) received their awards from Ms. Nicole at the end of the assembly.

Everyone then stood at attention and sang the school anthem with due reverence.

Mumbai City champs in basketball and Handball

A BAGFUL OF ‘MUMBAI CITY’ TITLES

St. Joseph’s High School

Wadala

12^th October 2013

St. Joseph’s High School has produced yet another dream run in sports.   In a space of seven eventful days, our basketball and handball teams brought home four ‘Mumbai City champions’ titles.  Competing against the very best in the Mumbai City championship organized by DSO, our u-14 and u-17 basketball and handball teams came out trumps to annex the title in each of the categories.

Our boys, blessed with tremendous skill and determination, rose to the occasion when it mattered most. The DSO tournaments that are held for a shorter duration are a test of stamina and mental strength, besides skill.  The u-14 basketball team went into the finals of the tournament all guns blazing and come up with a stunning display to outfox the opponents and home favorites, Shishuvan, 44-24.  Earlier on the team had overcome the opposition with relative ease – they beat Cathedral 31-11 in the semifinals, Campion and OLGC in the preliminary rounds.

The u-17 basketball team too made it to the finals of the DSO tournament without breaking a sweat – though the tournament was played in oppressing heat – outclassing their opponents in the preliminary rounds.  They however had to step up the tempo in the semi-finals to win 29-17 against the formidable Navy Children school team.  The score line of the finals played against Anjuman Islam does not indicate the close fight between the two teams.  Eventually, our boys did make it look easy with a final score 59-36.  This is the second consecutive year that our team has won the Mumbai city championship.  They now go on to play the zonals.

Taking a leaf out from the basketball team’s book, the handball teams produced a near flawless effort to claim the Mumbai city championship titles in both the categories: u-14 and u-17.  Like basketball, the back-to-back games were grueling sessions, and our teams lived up to their top billing as champions in this sport.  The u-14 handball team made short work of their opponents Gopi Birla (finals) and GD Somani (semifinals) to win the championship title. The u-17 handball team brushed aside the challenge of G D Somani in the semifinals before putting up a gutsy display to outsmart Gopi Birla in the finals.  The teams now qualify for the zonals where they will meet the very best of Mumbai, Thane, Navi Mumbai, Kalyan-Dombivili, Ulhasnagar-Ambernath, Bhayander-Mira Road, Vasai-Virar and Raigad.

The coaches Mr. Raju and Mr. Somnath in basketball, and Mr. Raj in handball equipped the teams with the necessary tools for motivation and inspiration – proof enough of their tremendous commitment to their task and responsibility.  Three cheers!