Sunday 28 July 2013

SACRED HEART CONVENT HIGH SCHOOL - AHMEDNAGAR: STUDENTS' VALUE EDUCATION ORIENTATION

SACRED HEART CONVENT HIGH SCHOOL - AHMEDNAGAR: STUDENTS' VALUE EDUCATION ORIENTATION ; July 26, 2013:
Thanks to an early booking, over six months ahead, by the school principal, Sr. Toynette, that over five hundred and ninety students were able to participate in a day's Value Orientation Program. Fr. Glenford Lowe and Mr. Rochwyn Fernandes animated the sessions ' Living the Life you Love' and 'living by a Value compass' for two hundred and eighty five students of STD X and the three hundred students of STD IX respectively. On behalf of the school management, Mrs. Saji Bhatt welcomed and introduced the guest speakers. Present also were two Argentinian Voluntary doctors Mr Lito and Mrs. Belen. Floral bouquets were presented to the guests by various students. 
Both the sessions began with a Prayer Song 'Sarweshaam, Swastir Bhavatu'. The prayer of blessing over all was really welcome - a blessing for peace, health, joy, happiness and auspiciousness too. After the prayer song, Mr. Fernandes took the students through a moment of prayer meditation, that also incorporated moments of rhythmic breathing and  connecting with the 'lights' and 'shadows' of one's daily student life. It was an opportunity to slow down and relax too. He then briefly presented the works undertaken by AVEC. Mr. Fernandes also introduced Fr. Glenn and praised him specially this day as he marked the second anniversary of his kidney donation.
 Fr. Glenford Lowe, then took over the Value Orientation program. He challenged the students right from the start to value their life and their gift of time and to live a meaningful life and make a worthy contribution to society. Through the use of a PowerPoint presentation and connecting with everyday examples, personal testimonies, group reflections and sharing, he was able to challenge the students to start living a life guided by a Value compass. "Direction in life is more important than velocity. It is not how fast you run, but whether you are on the right track. Reset or reconstruct your value compass today and go M.A.D - make A Difference", he advised them.
Both the students of STD X and STD IX really took part in the whole program very attentively. One could sense an atmosphere of serenity and a shift in attitude to life among the students. Taking the students through number of Diamond Values, Fr. Glenford was able to spell bound the students attention for over two and a half hours each. On behalf of the students, Additi Fulari and Saurabh Nachan proposed the vote of thanks.
A number of students came forward to write their comments in the AVEC appreciation log book. 
"We would always like to meet you in future. Your counselling will help us to become good citizens in the world. Thank you so much" - Yash Mhankale X-A
"Thank you Father. we were really happy to see your guiding spirit for us. We would be happy to see you in future and accept your words of advice" - Karan Patil X-B
 "Thank you Fr. Glenn. One important thing that I have learnt today is to value our parents. god has chosen them for us and we should learn to accept them and love them" - Akash Somoni X-C
"Thanks Father. Excited and jubilant to get a new path towards life and meaningfully too. Our parents are our platinum. This has become clear to us. God has a plan for us and we have to find it. thanks once again" -  Yash Jaggi X-D
 "It was a very great session for us. The most important value I learnt today is that we are born, not only for ourselves, but in fact for others. It would be great father, if you come again" -  Bhandari Pooja X-A
"It was truly a wonderful and exciting session. Thank you Father. the values cultivated by you will help us in our future to bloom in life. the day will be memorized and stored in our minds forever. thank you" -  Shivani Devi X-D
"Father Glenn, I really was touched by all the values and facts that you have shown us. I will never forget the important value of forgiveness in my life. I was lucky enough today to be present for this session. My parents used to tell me that 'a kind heart is a fountain of gladness' and so is your heart. Thank you for being with us, to touch us with these values which will definitely help us in our future. Thank you" - Mehwish Shaikh Sohail X-B
 "It was a great session. Thank you Father for sharing your great experience and time and we wish that you come again to sacred heart School and share your experience" - Samuel Sonawae, Anish Jaggi amd Darsha Gandhi IX-A
"It was an effective orientation which would really bring a change in ourselves. We are ready to Make a Difference and put all these values in place" -
 "Thank you for enlightening our minds and for me it was a great session" -  Mrukaan C. Talreja IX D
On behalf of the students of STD IX, I would like to t\hank you Fr. Glenn for guiding us on the path of life" -  Supriya IX-D
"It was a great experience, very good points were discussed and delivered, we want to that you for your great speech" - Preksha Jain IX - C
 "It was really mind blowing session. Thanks for giving us more information and encouraging us" - Manali Bora IX -C
"Thank you for conducting these sessions, 'cause it helped me to discover myself and who I am. It truly inculcated many values in me. Thank you" -  Sayyed fatima IX-C
 "Thanks for this relaxing and good lecture." - Reena IX C
"Thank you Father for this awesome session. We can't describe it in words. It taught us the meaning of life" - Shraddha Pawar IX-A
"Thank you Father Glenn. It was really an inspiring session. we will try to practice all that we have learnt today. thank you once again" - Sucha Chobhe IX - A
"Thanks for this session. We really enjoyed it every much and we have learnt many values from it" -  Neha Sareen IX A