Monday 30 September 2013
Saturday 28 September 2013
St. FRANCIS HIGH SCHOOL - BORIVILI
ST. FRANCIS HIGH SCHOOL - BORIVILI
TEACHERS' VALUE ORIENTATION SEMINAR
September 26, 2013: AVEC for the first time was able to make an inroad into St. Francis High School - Borivili, thanks to the Principal Bro. Jose and Mr. Agnelo Pereira for following up with the AVEC office. Fifty three Teachers were able to participate in a full day's "Management By Values" (MBV) seminar. The words of welcome and introduction was made by Teacher Petal D’Souza. She welcomed the guests and hoped that this would an opportunity to introspect into one's life and make a difference.
Mr. Rochwyn Fernandes, AVEC Project Coordinator, thanked one and all for the warm welcome and invited the participants to listen to an inter faith 'Prayer Song' - Sarveshaam, Swastir Bhavatu'. The teaches were then taken through a short fantasy meditation coupled with moments of 'Rhythmic breathing', that enabled the participants to relax, slow down and focus on their positive energy and to exhale all that was toxic and negative. Mr. Fernandes, then introduced Fr. Glenn to them and made a reference to his 'kidney donation' as a model for significant contribution.
Fr. Glenn took the teachers through a progressive journey of 'Managing One's Live by Values'. The journey began by inviting the teachers to start making 'Qualitative Changes' rather than mere 'Quantitative changes' in their lives and in the lives of their students. The well spring of 'qualitative' changes begin with a 'perspective change'. "What you see., is what you get!". Perspective changes lead to procedural changes too. "Today's session is an opportunity to make a slight 'qualitative change' and any shift in one's Value system will have a quantum shift in the larger society around," he said.
Using a lot of everyday examples, that contribute to more back-sliding than progress in life, was put across in a very humorous manner. A powerful PowerPoint presentation was backed by a lot of true life episodes - from the 26/11 terror attack to understanding the 'attitudes of the young people today'. He also focused on the important aspect of moving from looking at themselves as fulfilling a mere 'Career' to responding to a 'Vocation'. With the use of small groups sharing, personal insights, or solving the 'puzzle of constructing a perfect school' - the participants were able to slowing introspect on their own personal journey and to look at how they view Value Education and also to focus on the importance of 'aligning personal values' with that of the 'institutional values'.
In the final part of the session, the teachers were asked to plot their Value Map based on the 'Brian Hall-Benjamin Tonna Value map'. The importance of the Value of WORD was also stressed. The participants took part in the entire exercise in a very attentive and enthusiastic way. In the midst of a plenty of humor, a lot of insights and thought provoking questions were randomly thrown at the teachers for their personal reflection and change. The four hours passed by so quickly.... no one realized how quickly time flew!
“Thanks Fr. Glenn for the wonderful seminar we had. It was
very inspiring and will help us to instil theses values in our children” - Tr.
Shirley
Friday 27 September 2013
VALUE EDUCATION COORDINATORS' FORUM 2013 at Don Bosco High School - Matunga
VALUE EDUCATION COORDINATORS' FORUM 2013
held at Don Bosco High School - Matunga
for 210 teachers from 120 schools
"EMBRACE VALUES: ENRICH LIVES"
To view the album or download the photos, please click on the link given below:
Tuesday 24 September 2013
Prayer Service Gandhi Jayanti International Day of Nonviolence & Peace
Prayer Service Resources
To view or download the prayer service,
please click on the link given below:
Thursday 19 September 2013
MARY IMMACULATE HIGH SCHOOL - KALINA: LEADERSHIP TRAINING
MARY IMMACULATE GIRLS' HIGH SCHOOL - KALINA: LEADERSHIP TRAINING
September 16, 2013
Thanks to Sr. Jessy, Principal of Mary Immaculate Girls' High School - Kalina, that eighty young school leaders were able to participate in a full day's 'Leadership - Leadershift' session. The theme for the program was 'Leading By Values'. The Leadership program was animated by Fr. Glenford Lowe and Mr. Rochwyn Fernandes from AVEC - Matunga. Sr. Jessy introduced the guest speakers. The session began with a prayerful hymn that implored God's blessings of abundance on one and all.
Fr. Glenn invited the students to look at their role in schools as 'Leaders with a Difference'. Citing the early school days of Hon. President Pranab Mukerjee in Kirnahar Shib Chandra High School in West Bengal's Birbhum district, he explained how the young Pranab developed leadership qualities and skills of communication that paved the way for future leadership roles too. "Today is an opportunity for you all to make a 'Leadershift' - stop being mere disciplinarians in school, and start leading by example!" he exhorted them.
The young leaders from STD V-X, were taken through a whole journey of understanding the principles of good leadership and the necessary 'leadershift' that each one was expected to make. The entire program was highly activity based with a moment of process-reflection for each activity. The first focus on 'Self Awareness'. Good leaders are aware of their inner landscape that is reflected in their outer world too. The young leaders were invited to spend reflective moments on their 'past-present-future'. The students were then broken up into various smaller groups where they shared their life story.
The young leaders were also enabled to focus on the following other value based qualities necessary for good and effective leadership. The clarity of Vision and setting one's gaze on things that are fruitful and meaningful, rather on things that are temporary and useless was also discussed at length. Good leaders are Vision drawn! Without vision, people perish. The next quality stressed was on 'Developing a SMART planning mentality. This too was done through an interesting game that proved that 'planning' is often hindered when one has mind-blocks. Clear your mind blocks, and plans will open up before you.
The next activity focused on formation of TEAMS. Effective TEAMS are 'Synergistic' rather than merely 'Collaborative' or 'Compromising'. The young leaders understood the mathematics of good team work. Creativity and Responsibility were also two twin qualities that a good and effective leader needed to possess. Delegation of Authority was also discussed through a simple 'glass exercise'. Other important topics that were discussed were the ability to 'handle conflicts' and 'effective problem solving'. The 'bicycle sale' exercise brought out the points very clearly. Time Management - 'live your life with a clock in mind' - and the art of thin slicing was also explained.
In the final part of the session, the young leaders were given an opportunity to look at another important aspect of leadership - 'Sharpen the Saw' or renew oneself in body-mind-heart-soul. The lat point discussed was on 'Leaving behind a Legacy'. "What is it that you would like to be remembered for?" was an important question that needed a lot of personal soul searching too.
At the end of the session, the students ere able to identify the necessary shifts that each one had to make in order to improved and be more effective as leaders. The school head girl, Ms. Asiya Raut proposed the Vote of Thanks on behalf of all the leaders and school management.
A number of students came forward to write their comments in the AVEC appreciation log book:
"Fr. Glenn You are very inspiring!
I loved the session that you held" – Simran Kaur Potwal (IX)
"The session was incredible! I
would like you to come and conduct more sessions with us. Thank you for
spending your time with us and teaching us about leadership" – Merlyn Joseph
(VIII)
"Fr. Glenn, the session was
fabulous. We learned a lot from this session. Thank you for inspiring us." –
Priyal Shethia (VIII)
"The session was fabulous. Never
had a session on leadership, it has changed us. Thank you Fr. Glenn for giving
us your precious time!" – Evonna D’souza (IX)
"Fr. Glenn your session and the
exercise you gave us was awesome and you have truly inspired us!" – Faiza Sayed
(V C)
"Till
today I only heard about shifting houses. Today I heard and experienced Leadershift.
I’ll make sure I will spread your teachings. Thank you Fr. Glenn! J -
Adeen Wagle (V C)
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