ST. STANISLAUS HIGH SCHOOL, BANDRA: VIII STD ORIENTATION

ST. STANISLAUS HIGH SCHOOL - BANDRA: STD VIII VALUE ORIENTATION PROGRAM

March 16, 2013: The AVEC team today visited St. Stanislaus High School - Bandra to conduct a three-hour Value Orientation program for 208 students of STD VIIII. The Principal, Fr. Jude welcomed the guest speakers and introduced them to the students in the school auditorium. This was the first of its kind for the students. 

Mr. Rochwyn Fernandes, Project Coordinator of AVEC began the session with a brief introduction followed by a Prayer Song that invoked blessings on each one. He then took the students through a time of personal relaxation coupled with a fantasy meditation that enabled the students to sync with their breath and the daily activities of a student. Most of the students took this session seriously. He then introduced Fr. Glenford Lowe, sdb - Director of AVEC, and invited the students to pay attention to the session ahead.

Fr. Glenford Lowe began the session by asking the students to look at the level of their contribution to society and their outlook of life. The theme for the day was: 'Live your Life by a Value Compass'. "If your life is not guided by a Value Compass, then you are bound to be lost along the way", he said. The students were asked to self evaluate their life in terms of being a 'Light house', a 'Wheel barrow' or a 'Magic Bouncing Ball'. Light house students have a firm Value based foundation and it helps them to shine their light and save lives too, wheel barrows have no inner drive, they need to be constantly pushed around. Magic bouncing balls look nice and colorful on the outside but are directionless and unpredictable too. Using the examples of Kia Scherr and little Ryan Well's Foundation, he challenged the students to start Making A Difference too.

In the next session that followed, Fr. Glenford, with the help of a PowerPoint presentation, spoke to the students about Twelve Important Diamond Values and Skills that were necessary to live a Value based life. He spoke on the need to reset one's Value compass and to set a direction in one's life. The important Values given were: the Power of a Winning Attitude, the Synergy in Team Work, the Value of communicating Effectively even our 'sad stories', the energy in Confidence, the joy in Creativity, the nobleness in Motivating and Leading others, the Quality of Multitasking and Prioritizing one's schedules, the need to learn to 'fall forward' and learn from criticisms, the art of being accountable and transparent, the need for a well Balanced life in Body-Mind-Heart- Soul and lastly, living a Life of Abundance. With the use of a number of powerful Video clips and true life stories, the students went through this three hour program with an open heart. Though it was a bit  long and tiring, being at the end of a day, they were still able to get the messages clearly. Sr. Vera, resource personnel from AVEC also participated in the event.

                                

Sr. Gloria, FMA, Vice Principal concluded the day with a vote of thanks on behalf of the students and management.A few students came forward to write their observations in the AVEC log book: 

"It was a very good session especially with the inspirational videos too. The point that struck me the the importance of the Value of Team Work. There was much more that impressed me but I have no time to express it now" -  Warren D'Silva VIII-A

 "It was a very interesting session and we learnt many important Values and we should be focused on our future" -  Rahul D'Silva VIII - B

 "It was an interesting session. We had many things to learn. One thing that I would like to share is that we must never give up in life and always go for it. The most important for me also the Value of Team work" - Jesdin Raphael VIII - C

 "This session was required because it was necessary to enlighten us at this important time of our exams. It makes a lot of efforts for AVEC to give these wonderful thoughts and Values for life. Thank you to much AVEC" -  Ansh Shah VIII - D

Thanks to Fr. Jude, principal of the School and Sr. Gloria for inviting us for this Orientation program. We pray God's blessing on each one of the students and wish them every success in their examinations.