ST. MARY'S CONVENT - UDAIPUR: LEADERSHIP TRAINING

ST. MARY'S CONVENT: LEADERSHIP ORIENTATION

July 11, 2014

AVEC conducted its third Orientation program for 80 young school leaders of std VIII - XII from St. Mary's Convent - Udaipur. The theme for the day was "Making Value based Leadershifts". It was a very novel and creative Leadership program, the likes of which the students had never attended before. Thanks to the school Principal, Sr. Anusha Mathew for ensuring that 80 leaders could have a special moment for themselves and to clarify and imbibe important leadership qualities and skills.

Fr. Glenn helped the budding leaders to focus on important 'LEADERSHIFTS' that are essential today for effective leaders. He invited the students to move from being a 'Title without Leadership' to being a 'Leader without Titles'. The first exercise enabled the leaders to focus on the importance of Self Awareness and Self Management. Good leaders know who they are and how to live their life meaningfully. The simple paper exercise was an eye opener to all. It focused on having the right orientation to one's past and future and to make responsible choices. 

The students were then taught on the importance of moving away form living a life of blame and excuse and to start living their lives by the use of 'asking meaning questions'. The young leaders took time to identify their favorite 'excuses' and they wrote down an number of 'meaning questions' they would start asking themselves from today. "Questions are the answers itself" , he quoted from Anthony Robins. The young leaders were also challenged to be propelled by a 'Winner attitude', to work in Synergistic Teams, to Communicate effectively and to act creatively by 'always thinking higher'. See what all see, but think what no one else thinks!

 The importance of communication and problem solving was also touched upon. "When it comes to people, the most difficult to handle are not our enemies, but our very friends", he affirmed. When it comes to discipline, there are no friends. Every face must be the same. This is difficult but necessary to avoid being partial. He finally ended by challenging the students to make a difference. He finally ended with a song, Go light your World.

 The vote of thanks was proposed by Alefiya Magar from XII Humanities.
A number of younger students were invited to write their comments in the AVEC log book:
"From now on, I will shift to being a LWT rather than a TWL person" -  Minal Jain VIII B
 "I thank Fr.Glenn for such a great time and I ensure that I will make Udaipur proud" -  Sanskruti Joshi VIII B

 "I want to be a good leader and make a difference in the world"  Priyal Porwal VIII B
"I am very thankful and would like to say thank you" - Priti Meena VIII
"From now on, I will be a LWT person" - Sariya Khan VIII B

 "We got to know about the truth of being successful leaders. Thanks for making us realize the importance of our thoughts and attitudes" -  Arushi Metha VIII A

 "I enjoyed a lot and thanks to Fr. Glenn for such an excellent seminar which taught us to be great leaders" -  Isheri Sharma VIII B

 "Inspired a lot from this leadership seminar" -  A. Gupta VIII A
"We are really inspired from this seminar. Thank You for giving such valuable time for us"  - Ishita Kavitkar VIII A

 "Thank you Fr. Glenn for such a joyful time. We learnt as well as enjoyed your seminar" - Khushi Mukhiya IX B

 "Thanks for telling us the secrets to becoming a successful leader" -  Kaveez Fatima

 "Very good seminar, we have inspired a lot from you. Thank you" Harshita

 "Living a meaningful life now" - Preksha Deol IX C

Congratulations to all the young leaders of St. Mary's Convent. May God bless your life always and may the 'leadershifts' you learnt today guide you all to be Leaders with a Difference.

ST. MARY'S CONVENT HIGH SCHOOL: STD IX-X ORIENTATION

ST. MARY'S CONVENT - UDAIPUR: STUDENTS' ORIENTATION

July 11, 2014

For over 360 students of Stds IX-X from St. Mary's Convent, Udaipur, today was a unique day in their personal lives. For the first time ever, they took part in a meaningful moment of introspection. Thanks to AVEC for making it all the way from Mumbai to animate and challenge the students. Sr. Anusha Mathew, principal of the school. welcomed both Fr. Glenn and Mr. Fernandes to the school. The session began by introducing the students to participate in the inter faith prayer song ' Sarvesham Swastir Bhavatu'.

Mr. Fernandes took the students through a prayerful and meditative journey in to their lives and invited them to get in their with their inner selves through the help of a rhythmic breathing exercise. The students took part in the entire meditation on a very serious note. These moments really helped them to quiet down and relax too. Mr. Fernandes then introduced Fr. Glenn and welcomed the students to reflect on the theme for the day: 'My Life - A Valued Journey'

Fr. Glenn, started off by challenging the students to make the necessary choice to live a life that is focused more about 'direction' than 'velocity'. "In life, being on the right track is more important than arriving first", he advised them. "Because of our wrong choices, made in a moment of indecision and immaturity, we often get lost and even trade our value compass for other sign posts and as a result we get lost on the journey of life", he said. "Today is an opportunity to regain, reconstruct or reset your value compass in life", he affirmed.

The students were presented with some true life stories and models of people who throughout the world are Making a Difference. The likes of Ms. Ka Scherr, Ryan Hreljac, Malala Yousafzai and Immacule Ilibigaza were presented as role models; in spite of tragedies and youthfulness, they chose to be directed by a value compass. You too can start now, no matter where you have drifted too, to live your life as a Valued Journey.   

 With the help of a powerful, and creative Powerpoint presentation, Fr. Glenn was able to challenge the students to focus on the importance of living a life of contribution and meaningful living. using the exercises on the NOW moment, the Spiral of Life and the Wheel of Life the students were able to look at their entire life in a nutshell and evaluate themselves on a scale of 1-10. It was interesting to see the young students honestly evaluate their own lives and make choices for a better living. The numerous examples and insightful questions thrown constantly at the students were real eye openers.

 The session ended with a moment of invitation to 'Go Light Your World'. At the end of the session, a number of students came forward to write their comments in the AVEC log book:
"Very inspiring. We would all Make A Difference. Fr. Glenn is very motivating and surely it was a great opportunity to have him here. we are blessed to attend this seminar. Thank you" -  Shivanshi Nagar

 "This session was very motivating and I am sure, where ever we go, we'll always make a difference. He is definitely an eloquent speaker. We will be very successful where ever we go" -  Vartika Gupta X-B
 "Thank you for your valuable time with us" -  Mahek Pokharvia

 "A very inspiring, motivating session. We will make a Difference" -  Kaashefa Taskeen Sheikh X-B
 "Making us realize who we are. Very motivating and inspiring" -  
"Thank you Fr. Glenn for giving us such motivating points and I will surely Make A Difference" - Harshita Tak X-C

 "Thank you Fr. Glenn for giving us such good values. You are very inspiring and motivating to me. You changed my mind and life" -  Roefti X B
"You are very motivating and make us know who actually we are. he made us change in ourselves and am sure he succeeded in making us better persons. Thank you" -  Anjali Nair IX-C

 "He was very inspiring and motivating to us. We will surely go MAD in life. We will follow his advise and be a better person in life" -  Saumya IX-A
"His teaching will really encourage me in my career planning and one day we will be successful" - Nehal Jain IX-A

 "Father Glenn you made my dreams clearer to me. Thanks" -  Mishi Doshi IX-A
"You made it clear to me, who i am and showed me the way to make A Difference" - Gaurvi Jani IX "Fr. Glenn you are really very innovative and a motivating person. I am sure, after I have heard you, I'll make a difference in my life and in the lives of others too" - Jyestha Jain IX B 

 "I had a good time with you. I will remember you all my lifetime. Thank you and I will make a difference" -  Shloka Bordia IX-A
 "First of all, thanks for coming to ur school and enlightening us especially me. Many seminars were held but you inspired me seriously. Hope you will get all the spiritual success in life. I'll become the person you challenged us to be! Thanks again" -  Pragya Vashistha X C
"Thank you for saving my life before I could lose it" -  Bushra IX C

Congratulations to all the students for taking this entire session seriously and making a strong commitment to live your life as a Valued Journey.
may God bless you all and may your educative journey enable you to go beyond exams and make of your life a meaningful contribution to all.

ST. MARY'S CONVENT HIGH SCHOOL : UDAIPUR Students' Orientation

ST. MARY'S CONVENT HIGH SCHOOL - UDAIPUR: JUNIOR COLLEGE ORIENTATION

July 10, 2014

Thanks to Sr. Anusha Mathew, Principal for booking AVEC six months well in advance to conduct a Value Education Orientation program for 342 students of the Junior College. Arriving by train, after a long 17 hour journey, the session took place immediately in the well prepared  school auditorium. Sr. Anusha welcomed the guest speaker through a unique PowerPoint presentation. Floral bouquets were also presented by the students. Mr. Fernandes, started off the session with the usual prayer song that invited the students to seek God's blessings for peace, good health and abundance. The fantasy meditation and the awareness breathing exercise enabled to students to relax and focus more attentively. 

 Fr. Glenford Lowe was introduced by Mr. Fernandes. A huge round of applause erupted when the students were aware that Fr. Glenn was a kidney donor. Fr. Glenn guided the students through the next two hours by focusing on the theme: 'My Life- A Valued Journey'! Through a well prepared Powerpoint and an insightful and creative handout, the students were able to set aside prime quality time to focus on the life's journey. Citing examples of people whose lives are guided by a Value Compass; the like of Kia Scherr, Ryan Hreljac, Malala Yousafzai, Immacule Ilibigaza, he challenged the students to walk the MAD path - Make A Difference. "When our lives are guided by a Value Compass, the world in and around us changes", he exhorted them.

The next part of the exercise focused on the Present NOW moment, the Past and the Future moments of their lives. Through a series of meaningful questions, the students were, for the first time, able to really look at themselves from a different perspective and make the necessary 'qualitative changes' to reset their life's direction. Revisit their past was an opportunity to connect with their personal story and appreciate it from various dimensions. Reorganizing the future was an opportunity to hold on to their dreams and aspirations and to reach for the stars. The students also took the time to honestly look at their 'problems' and to write them on the sand. "Life is too short a journey to be bogged down by unnecessary baggage", he advised them.

 At teh end of the session, the school head girl, Roopreet Dhamija proposed the vote of thanks.
A number of students wrote their comments in the AVEC appreciation log book:
"It was really inspiring. It felt encouraging myself. I really want everyone to be lucky enough to hear Fr. Glenn. Am sure everyone who hears him will find something really meaningful" -  Shwetal Kandhari

 "It was really good and encouraging" -  Manali Parihar
"Touched different topics that the usual boring one. Was a pleasure hearing him. Thank you" -  Shifa Meyaji

 "It was an inspiring seminar. Felt very encouraging. Thank you" -  Nishika Mabhija
"I will be M.A.D. I will Make A Difference. thanks alot!"  Garvi Shekawat

 "This seminar was truly a candle in my life. I will surely be MAD" -  Viniya Goswami
"It was a nice experience meeting you people. Learnt a lot" -  Anusha Bhatia

 "It was really inspiring and encouraging and I hope this seminar works as a candle in my life. I will surely get MAD. Thank you Fr. Glenn for conducting this seminar" -  Habiba K

"It was a nice experience and opportunity to be present in your seminar. It encouraged me and all the students and we'll try our best to make a difference. Thank you" - Chhavi  Verma

"We'll get M.A.D! It was a pleasant experience to attend the seminar. We learnt a lot. This will really help us to be better persons in life and Make A Difference" - Office Bearers

Congratulations to the Staff and management of St. mary's Convent High school - Udaipur for this wonderful opportunity to organize this orientation program for your Junior College students.

CAMPION SCHOOL - FORT: STD VIII Value Education Orientation

CAMPION SCHOOL - FORT: STD VIII VALUE EDUCATION ORIENTATION

July 8, 2014

Seventy two students of STD VIII had the opportunity to be animated by AVEC. Mr. Paul Machado, Principal of the school warmly welcomed the guest speakers and introduced them to the students. Many of the Leaders had already taken part in a Leadership Training program organized by AVEC. The topic 'My Life: A Valued Journey' was presented in a two hour session to the students. The session began by invoking God's blessings through a prayer song for peace, good health, prosperity and abundance on all.  The students joined in the later half of the prayer song.

 Mr. Rochwyn Fernandes, AVEC Coordinator, enabled the students to slow down and focus on themselves through a meditative process that included rhythmic breathing. The students took this part of the exercise seriously. After the meditation, Mr. Fernandes introduced Fr. Glenn Lowe to them. He also recalled the kidney donation done three years ago and the important message of being more loving to all. "At the end of our lives we will be judged on how loving we were rather than on how right we were", he stressed.

Fr. Glenn Lowe took the students through a series of reflective moments and constantly challenged them to gauge their progress in life by a Value Compass. "In life, direction is more important than velocity!. It's not how fast you run that matters but whether you are on the right track that counts", he said. Using the true life stories of people who are making a difference, in spite of the tragedies that have befallen them, he challenged the students to get M.A.D - Make A Difference. People like Kia Scherr, Malala Yousafazai and Ryan Hreljac are examples of people who understood the sacredness of life and the need to live it abundantly for others.

The students were given the importance of asking meaningful questions in life rather than living a life of blame and excuse. "You have one life to live, live it well, with no excuses attached", he urged the students.  The invited to students to look at their lives as valuable and as an opportunity to leave behind a significant contribution. He spoke to the students on the need to have a winner's attitude, to work in synergistic teams, to have the courage to share their deep concerns and problems and to be confident in whatever they do. He challenged the students to think and act creatively rather than merely getting stuck in routine. "Remember, your yesterday ended with today's sunrise", he added.

The students were also advised to think and see the bigger picture. "You will not remain an eight standard kid all your life. You need to see ahead and go for your dream", he insisted. The need to live a balanced life was also stressed upon. The need to nourish oneself on the four levels of Body-Mind-Heart-Soul inspired many a student. the practical examples too, coupled with inspiring video clips enhanced the process. Finally, the students were made to believe in living a life of abundance. At the end the students were invited to come forward and write their comments int eh AVEC log book.

 "Really nice experience, learnt new values and much more positive views and mostly I'm sure we can do more in life" -  Manav Jhaveri VIII A

"Very nice for Fr. Glenn to guide us in the right direction. Be the best you can be!"  Viraj Raiyani VIII B

 "It was a very nice experience and I learnt a lot from Fr. Glenford. You guided me to the right direction" -  Kavit Vora VIII B

 "It taught me how to fix my broken Value Compass and really inspired me to become a good person" -  Siddhant Kathari VIII B

 "Fr. Glenford spoke to us about the compass of life and how we should get it back on track and also presented us with values to live our life in a better way" -  Shauwan Irani VIII A

 "Excellent workshop. Really helped me a lot. I am very happy about this session, I hope Fr. Glenn continues his good work and God blesses him" -  Farshid Daruwalla VIII B

 "It was a very nice experience. It helped me a lot too. i wish that Fr. Glenn visits our school every year" - Nikhil Thadhani VIII V

Congratulations to all the students of STD VIII - you were really hyper and enthusiastic all through. I pray God's blessings on each one and may your life be a significant contribution to self, others and God.