Staff-student interactionwithin healthy avenues of the school and on the sporting field can potentially yield immense constructive benefits to the holistic dynamism of the formation and growth of the students. Sporting events have always been a source of great interest and entertainment. The excitement is much more for youngsters/students. However, a staff-student interaction on the playing arena has always brought a greater level of interest and excitement. Staff-student matches would be a definite 'cannot-be-missed-out' event for all. The staff with their age and experience would otherwise always be in command in the school premises. However, for such matches, the senior staff members have often felt some lacuna and discomfort, given theirweaker agility and the smarter skills of their younger sporting counterparts (the students). But at the end, such interactions help us imbibe the values of respect, team-work, sportsmanship and a zest for life.

Volleyball or Football, St. Xavier's RampuraphulStaff Team had it all...

To add to the excitement and spice up the curriculum of the students, a volleyball and football match was organized between the staff and students of St. Xavier's School, Rampuraphul, who spiritedly competed against eachother. Such interactions infuse traits of competition, sportsmanship and team spirit in our pupils. The high voltage matches were watched by the teachers, employees, students and was graced with the presence of the Chief Guest Fr. Peter Rodrigues (Local Superior of the Bathinda Local House). The staff volleyball team was led by Mr. Gurpinder Singh. His leadership skills came to the fore as the staff team won the match 20-18, despite the vigorous and tough fight from the students. The football team was led by Fr. Remy Cardozo (Principal) who ensured that the staff team won the match and completely sealed the day in favour of the staff. Losing the football match 2-1, the students were left with a challenge to improve their sporting skills and to wait for sweet avenging moments in the coming years.

Big Bellies & Lack of Practice let down St. Joseph's Staff Team

-Mrs. Sukhpret Kaur (St. Joseph's High School, MandiDabwali, Haryana) A football match between St. Joseph's school team and St.Joseph's staff was held on 17th February 2017 on the school ground of St. Joseph High School, Mandi Dabwali, Haryana. The staff team was captained by Fr. Selvaraj Peter (Manager) and included Fr. Jerry Lobo (Principal), Fr. Christopher Masih (Parish Priest of St. Joseph's Church), Fr. Stephen Dias (Assistant Parish Priest of St. Joseph's Church) and teachers. Ashish Gill (Physical Education Teacher) was the match referee.
The match on the whole was evenly contested. The first half saw many missed chances on both sides. Some exceptional super saves by the defenders and goalkeepers were worth television replay material. The atmosphere was euphoric with earpiercing encouragement coming from all corners.
During the second half the staff team came well organised and led a calculated attack on the opposition team. Mr. Naveen Sahil, Mr. Antonio Rodrigues, Fr. Jerry Lobo and Bro. Kuldeep Lakra displayed some excellent skills and almost converted their shoots into goals. However, the student's team goalkeeper made some exceptional super saves and denied the staff any consolation for their efforts. Matters grew worse for the staff team, when their goalkeeper fractured his leg and was taken to the hospital. The set-back to the staff was taken advantage of by the student's team who scored the lone goal of the day. If the staff team contests next year, they would invariably need much more stamina, more practice hours on the ground and good fitness levels to avoid more mid-match causalities.

Patriotic celebrations have had a regular format of singing the national anthem, singing some patriotic songs, giving some fiery speeches and raising high-pitched passionate slogans. Such expressions are special and do the needful of instilling love for our Motherland. However, presenting a creative message on such auspicious days would add to the perpetuation of patriotic memories. The Republic Day and the Independence Day will always remain extra-ordinary avenues to very subtly and powerfully bring out messages of being committed to serve our societies and the nation at large.

Shradha Devi's Indomitable Spirit acknowledged at St. Xavier's, Sirsa

Republic Day celebrations at St. Xavier's High School, Sirsa, Haryana was celebrated with great patriotic zeal and fervor evident by the presence of large number of students notwithstanding bad weather & unseasonal rains. Fr. Savio Fernandes (Vice Principal) responded to the circular which directed the school management to invite differently abled persons, preferably a woman with 70% and above disability level. Accordingly, Mrs. Sharda Devi graced the occasion as the Chief Guest. Shradha Devi, a differently abled polio victim had a powerful message to the staff and students that morning. The audience witnessed her indomitable spirit as she climbed the stairs of the stage all alone. The sight of her struggle to climb, with difficulty yes, but with confidence and determination stirred across a strong message. Hoisting the tricolor, in a type of a sitting posture made many realise how fortunate they are in having the faculties of their body secure and adept. Shrada Devi, in spite of her condition has raised two children and lives an exemplary family life as a wife and mother. Though physically flawed, Shradha's spirit and family life will remain as an outstanding example of a determined citizen of our nation.

A Good Family will Contribute in building a Good Country

Republic Day celebrations at St. Xavier's School, Rampuraphul included a spirited group singing competition where soulful patriotic songs were staged with a good presentation of costumes and props. The mood was all set for the finale where we would proudly shout out slogans honouring our Mother India. However, this Republic Day we had a refreshing addition - a However, this Republic Day we had a refreshing addition - a soul-stirring play titled 'Mukti'. The play kept the audience well focused to extract out a deeper message of contributing towards building our families and from there building our nation at large. Mr. Deepak Matwala, a former teacher of the school and a goldsmith by profession, is a multi-talented personality who leads a troupe of talented artists and stages thought-provoking plays in local Punjabi. Deepak, who is also a music teacher at his own music centre was very creative through the play he directed with due details in place. The performance was commendable in striking the right cords by making the students introspect about their own family life. Knowing well the strengths and flaws within the context of his native locality, Deepak brought out the prevailing negative and constructive traits that are predominant in the society. The students were teary-eyed as the play went on. Deepak highlighted and affirmed the need of the sublime disposition of the children to render due respect for their parents.

Extra-curriculars allow students to pursue interests outside of a standardized academic context. These activities offer opportunities for students to learn the values of teamwork, individual and group responsibility, physical strength and endurance, competition, diversity, and a sense of culture and community. Extra-curricular activities provide a channel for reinforcing the lessons learned in the classroom, offering students the opportunity to apply academic skills in a real-world context, and thus contribute towards the much needed holistic formation of the youngsters.

Make in India Projects at St. Xavier's Rampuraphul

St. Xavier's High School, Rampuraphul had a thought-provoking Parent Teacher Meeting (PTM) on 18 March, 2017 as they closed the academic year on an interesting note. With the sweltering summers already in, the school staff invited a local potter who impressed the staff, students and their parents with his pottery skills. He encouraged the purchase and use of earthen utensils and elaborated on the wisdom of the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi's 'Make in India' project. Days earlier, the students were guided by their teachers Prem Lata, Nisha Jatta, Suman Kumari and others in the preparation of creative and innovative projects. The same projects were at display and explained to the proud parents who were contended to note that their children are well guided towards creative dynamics of education.

Arts & Literary Weekend at MMJSV, Narnaul

When we look at our school (Mata Mariam Jan SevaVidyalaya, Narnaul, Haryana), we gaze at a building whose hallways are filled with laughter, classrooms with discoveries, every inch, every stone rounded with the effect of a holistic approach to education in the course of the wondrous 25 years gone by (the silver centenary celebrations of the institute are on and the closing of the centenary celebrations will be held on 1st December, 2017). Keeping aflame such a spirit of holistic formation, the school has already organised a number of activities this year (89 activities to be precise).

The Arts & Literary weekend was a unique initiative by the staff to kindle the flame of making education a medium of interest, enthusiasm, wonder and excitement. The program attempted to let the children know well that they are immensely gifted with varied capacities and that they ought to bring such inherent talents to the fore. Excellent paintings and refreshing poems and write-ups from the students helped them and the teachers to know more about the latent talents God has gifted them with. The arts and literary program was enlightening in the sense that it helped the children understand their capacities and also challenged them to hone their skills as they grow up. The program helped the students understand how to express their feelings, interests, frustrations, queries, etc. by way of their innate capacities and find soulful expressions via art, colour, language and rhyme.

Fr. Eulalio Fernandes (Principal of St. Xavier's School, Bathinda) appointed as the Co-ordinator of the CBSE schools in the districts of Bathinda, Mansa, Barnala and Ludhiana of the Panchkula Area of the CBSE Administration could be read as a recognition of the Society's contribution in the educational ministry in the Northern expanse of our country. St. Xavier's Higher Secondary School, Bathinda was also chosen as the city examination co-ordinating school.
St. Xavier's School, Rampuraphul making their maiden trip overseas (to Dubai) will remain a noteworthy mention in the history of the school.
A variety of programs, activities, annual days, seminars, etc. in our schools have always featured regularly. However, a Mother's Day celebration would always remain a perennially refreshing celebration, where we acknowledge the sublime pedagogical and powerful dynamism of a mother's sincere and perpetual love and sacrifices for her children (refer to the writeup of the Mother's Day celebration at MMJSV, Narnaul).

Fr. Eulalio Co-ordinates an Impeccable Conduct for the Board Examinations

Fr. Eulalio Fernandes was appointed the Coordinator for the CBSE schools in the districts of Bathinda, Mansa, Barnala and Ludhiana of the Panchkula Area of the CBSE Administration. (Fr. Eulalio is the first member of the Society of Pilar to be entrusted such a role by the CBSE in the Panchkula Area). The CBSE – Regional Office of Panchkula recently entrusted this responsibility to Fr. Eulalio. One of his first responsibilities was to ensure the good conduct of CBSE examinations for 2017 in parts of the Panchkula Region which involved ensuring the smooth conduct of examinations in 223 schools in the nearby districts and 9 city centers. St. Xavier's Higher Secondary School, Bathinda, Punjab was chosen as the city examination co-ordinating school. It is indeed noteworthy that under the able and vigilant coordination of Fr. Eulalio, the around two months long examination schedule was incident free. The entire process involved meticulous preparations and executions of varied roles and responsibilities from various committees and sub-committees. The CBSE-Panchkula Region caters to institutes in the states of Haryana, Punjab, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh and the union territory of Chandigarh. Congratulations Fr. Eulalio! May St. Xavier's Bathinda continue on this path of shouldering responsibilities of leadership and service !

First International Tour of St. Xavier's,Rampuraphul

Twenty five students of St. Xavier's High School, Rampuraphul accompanied with Fr. Remy Cardozo (Principal), Fr. Peter Rodrigues and two other staff members traveled to Dubai for the maiden international tour of the school. The five day tour scheduled during the third week of January has etched some exciting memories of learning, exploration and adventure. Dubai is the largest and most populous city of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) which captivates its visitors in awe and with much to ponder; given that it is a desert city which has developed extensively, despite the many natural constraints. The city stands out as a special destination that mixes modern culture with history, adventure, world-class shopping and entertainment. The touring group was mesmerized visiting the Miracle Garden, Ski World, Desert Safari, a few malls and other venues in the city. The thrill of high speed drives was best experienced while at Ferrari World. The visit to the iconic Burj Al Arab and Burj Khalifa (which are among the world's tallest edifices) provided for some incredible views stretching into the Persian Gulf and the amazing expanse of the city. Views from such heights they never climbed before will hopefully instill in the youngsters, the drive to aim high and determinedly reach the heights of their dreams and aspirations in life.

Mother's Day Celebration at MMJSV, Narnaul

- Mr. Sahaya Raj (Mata Mariam Jan SevaVidyalaya, Narnaul, Haryana) Mother's Day was celebrated in the Mata Mariam Jan SevaVidyalaya, Narnaul, Haryana campus on a bright sunny day. The children, right from toddlers to seniors, staged varied performances which expressed their acknowledgment of their mother's love and sacrifices. The performances highlighted the sublime role of a mother in a family and the society. There were subtle presentations conveying about the sacrifices a mother undergoes in the course of giving birth, nurturing and equipping one's child to forge ahead in today's society with values and love. It was an opportunity for the students and the mothers as well, to reflect on some deeper realities associated with motherhood, such as that a 'mother is an embodiment of God's love on earth'; that 'a mother is a model of sacrifice' (she sacrifices her own dreams, needs and desires, and even her own life to raise her child) and that if there is a dearth of genuine and true love in the whole wide world, one ought to reflect on and turn to one's mother and experience her deep and lasting love for her children. The management and staff joined in expressing their appreciation and encouragement to the mothers. The mothers were very contended to see their children express their love for them. The mothers also had an opportunity to take center-stage when they were invited to participate in the fun-games organized for their entertainment and interaction.