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!

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!