DON BOSCO HIGH SCHOOL - MATUNGA: STD X A/E/F VALUE EDUCATION ORIENTATION

DON BOSCO HIGH SCHOOL - MATUNGA: STD IX A-E-F VALUE ORIENTATION

February 20,2014: Today marked the last session for the AVEC Team after a hectic scholastic year 2013-14. Over the course of the year, more than 65 sessions were held in schools with an outreach to over 8817 students and 1843 teachers! The last batch of STD IX students from three divisions, numbering 135 students of Don Bosco High School - Matunga, had the privilege of ending their scholastic year with a Value Education Orientation program.

The focus of the Value Education Orientation Program was on "EMBRACE VALUES: ENRICH LIVES". The session was divided into four parts: The Valued NOW moment, the Valued PAST, the Valued FUTURE and the Valued Problems that one faces in life. The whole session was very interactive and thought provoking. With the help of everyday situations in the life of a student, Fr. Glenn was able to help the young students to care for the Value of their own life first on the levels of the physical, intellectual, spiritual, emotional, social and environmental. Through a well prepared handout, the students were able to make the journey through the 'Spiral of Life' and the 'Wheel of Life' and to discover who they are, were and ought to be in the future.

 It was an insightful session, a real window in one's personal life and the students really took the entire session very seriously and cooperatively. At the end of the session, a number of students came forward to write their impressions in the AVEC appreciation log book:

"It was very effective and I know that I will work ahead" -  Ammar Cheewala IX

"I think it was a very good session by Fr. Glenn. he guided us along our life and helped us to find and improve our lifestyle based on values" -Manthan Metha IX-F

 "I am a fan of Fr. Glenn and AVEC Mumbai. I hope to change my life in Bosco's" Siddharth Kamath IX-F

"I was very fortunate to listen and see Fr. Glenn's Value session. I will improve my lifestyle" -  Pratik Jaiswal IX-F

"I am very lucky to attend a session by Fr. Glenn and Mr. Fernandes. If there are more sessions just inform me. Thank you Fr. Glenn and have a long life" -  harsh Jain IX-F 23

 "I found this session to be very nourishing and I appreciate the work of Fr. Glenn and Mr. Fernandes for their frank speaking. i feel very good in their presence. Thank you. i will remember your thoughts throughout my life. You are inspiring and a lovely donor" -  Ajay IX-F 22
"I learnt a number of good things from this session. we thank Fr. Glenn and Mr. Fernandes for giving us their precious time to us and teaching us a lot of good values by their talk. I hope to be a role model for other people like Fr. Glenn. Thanks" - Prabhmeet Singh IX-E 3

 "I think it was a very useful and effective session for our Don Bosco Students. Fr. Glenn taught us a life long lesson n a very simple and understandable way. Really, I was very lucky to have this session. Thank you" - Sanyam Fagania IX-F
"I learnt many useful things that I needed to follow. I appreciate the efforts of Fr. Glenn and Mr. Fernandes. Thanks" - Zehan Irani IX-E 23

 "I thank Fr. Glenn as he guided us on the way of life. This lecture will change my attitude towards life. Thanks Father Glenn" -  Pushpvijay Kanoji IX-F
"We thank Fr. Glenn for such a wonderful session. He explained to us that life is important and we have to live it well and understand our limits" -  Juned Shaikh IX-F 51

 "I am very grateful that we had such a great session this afternoon Feb 20, 2014. i thank Fr. Glenn for giving us a lot of knowledge to survive freely in this busy world. thank you Fr for being a role model to us. We will never forget you for taking this session in our school. We are very grateful too. Thank you!" -  Jay Chauhan IX-F

"Congratulations to all the students of STD IX A-E-F for their very active participation, attentive listening and whole hearted cooperation all through the session. i was a privilege to address you all today. God bless your journey with a lot of peace, good health, success and fruitfulness" - Fr. Glenn

DON BOSCO HIGH SCHOOL - MATUNGA: STD IX VALUE ORIENTATION

DON BOSCO HIGH SCHOOL - MATUNGA: 

STD IX VALUE ORIENTATION

February 14, 2014: A few days after their School Annual day, over 150 students of STD IX B/D/E of Don Bosco High School - Matunga, assembled for a Value Orientation program conducted by Fr. Glenford Lowe, Director AVEC and Mr. Rochwyn Fernandes, AVEC Project Coordinator. The theme for the day's orientation program was "Embrace Values: Enrich Lives". The session was for 90 minutes.

The session was highly interactive, insightful and full of everyday situations and examples of a student's life. The session began with a 26/11 episode and the Values that were lived out, by the employees at the prestigious Taj hotel, even in the face of immanent death and terror. "Attitude in life is more important that grades in school" was the clarion call. The students were given an opportunity to focus on their 'Attitudes in life and the values they embrace' in their everyday choices and options to live life meaningfully and purposefully.

The session focused on four major areas: The Present Now and the value of living the 'now' meaningfully, the 'PAST' gave an opportunity to revisit every experience in the spiral of their life, the 'FUTURE' and the value of constantly reorganizing and focusing on their call in life and finally a moment to look at their 'problems' and to 'write them on the sand' and walk free. The four sessions, presented clearly on a work sheet, gave the students ample time to soul search and look at their lives and to value it once again in all the aspects of 'Body-mind-heart-Soul-Earth'. The students were very frank and open in their sharing and very attentive all through the session.

At the end of the session, that seemed to pass by so quickly, a number of students came forward to write their comments in the AVEC appreciation log book:
"It was a very lovely session and was also very meaningful" -  Punit R. IX-C
"It was a nice session. It was nice to know how life should be and what are the changes we should make to improve a lot. Enjoyed the session" -

 "It helped us to visit our past and it was a very thought provoking one. I loved it and it helped us to be cheerful in life" -  Kunal Sheth IX C
"It was nice to recollect our past and I forgot all my stress. It was a nice experience" - Tanmay D IX-C

 "It was a very good session and experience with Father Glenn. We could be good in the future" -  Keith Clement and Shaun Naronha
"It was a pleasurable and unexpected visit to our past" - Bhavya Jain X-B

"It was a pleasant time spent with you Fr. Glenn. it will surely help me to improve in my life" - Harnainsingh  Singh IX
"It was indeed the best session I have ever attended. I will surely try to improve my life cycle" - Akashdeep Singh IX C

Congratulations to all the students who participated so attentively and took part in the entire 'Embrace Values: Enrich Lives' program and for making a commitment to live life on the Valued path.

ST.ANNE'S HIGH SCHOOL - FORT: STD VIII - IX VALUE ORIENTATION

ST.ANNE'S HIGH SCHOOL - FORT: STD VIII - IX Value Orientation

Feb 13, 2014

It was a privilege to conduct a session for 160 students from STD VIII - IX belonging to St. Anne's High School - Fort, Mumbai. Mr. Rochwyn Fernandes and Fr. Glenford Lowe were warmly welcomed by the Principal, Sr. Guilhermina Monteiro and the Value Education teacher Mrs. Tessy. The program was conducted from 1:00 pm - 2:25 pm. The theme for the Value Education Orientation was "Embrace Values: Enrich Lives"

 The program began with a word of welcome by a student. Mr. Rochwyn Fernandes took the first part of the program by inviting the students to a few moments of silence and rhythmic breathing accompanied by a fantasy meditation. the meditation enabled the students to quiet down and relax and also to focus on their life's journey, especially as a student. He then introduced Fr. Glenn to the students.

Fr. Glenn challenged the students to make use of the opportunity to look at their lives a lot more objectively, purposefully and value based. He cited that today ' attitude in life is more important than grades in school'. He used simple everyday examples to draw the attention of the students to focus on making 'qualitative changes' rather than mere 'quantitative changes' in their everyday choices and decisions. "Values empower you to discern and make right choices in life", he added.

 The next part of the session highlighted the importance of 'Actively Listening'to the present NOW moment in their lives, with reference to their Body-mind-heart-Earth-Soul connections. They looked at their successes and failures, fears and anxieties too. The 'Spiral of Life' was an opportune window to revisit their past and to connect the dots of their lives. With the help of a number of useful clip art and daily life's examples, the students were able to gauge their past and weigh it on 'Value Scale'. The last part of the session focused on 'reorganizing their future'. With the help of the 'Wheel of Life', they were able to look at the necessary resolutions and commitments that they  had to make personally in order to live life more 'qualitatively'. 

 The time was fruitfully used and we can honestly say, that the students really participated very actively and attentively all through.
At the end of the session, the head girl Chelsea Mascharenhas proposed the vote of thanks.
A few students came forward to write their comments in the AVEC appreciation log book:

"Fr. Glenn’s session was a thought provoking and very beautiful session. The teachers as well as the students were completely involved, it was an amazing experience. Thank you Fr. Glenn and Mr. Rochwyn for the session. Chelsea Mascarenhas.   I X B 

 "Lovely session which taught us how beautiful life is, and how we can improve in life and manage ourselves".  Moksa Chardan IX A

"The best session that helped us learn the value and importance of life".  Nidhi

"Due to Fr. Glenn’s session we came to realize our moral values and try to change ourselves if we are bad in something". Vanessa D’Souza IX A

"The way you explained to us Fr. Glenn was just marvelous. It was amazing when you told us about the 'Spiral' and the 'Wheel of Life" Manvi VIII B

"Due to this session. I really got to reflect upon my soul and came to know who I really am"
Michelle VIII A

God bless all of you and congratulations for your cooperation, very active participation and active listening all through the session.

SACRED HEART HIGH SCHOOL - WORLI: STD IX VALUE ORIENTATION PROGRAM

SACRED HEART HIGH SCHOOL - WORLI

STD IX VALUE ORIENTATION PROGRAM

February 12, 2014: Two hundred and Sixty students belonging to STD IX from Sacred Heart High School - Worli, had the opportunity to have two sessions in Value Education. The Orientation program was animated by Fr.Glenford Lowe and Mr. Rochwyn Fernandes from AVEC. Due to the big numbers and the capacity of the AV Hall, the boys joined the first session while the girls attended the second session. The theme for the day was: "My Life: a Valued Journey" 

 Mr. Rochwyn Fernandes guided the students through a moment of fantasy meditation that enabled them to relax and refocus on their life's journey. The value of silence and personal reflection was also stressed upon thorough this exercise. The students really took part in this meditation in a very serious and attentive manner.

 Fr. Glenford Lowe then invited the students to look at the alternatives that life offers them and to have the courage to choose responsibly the best and right choice. Only a 'Valued Person' can make the correct choices. Once we make such choices, our lives become 'Qualitatively' better and more significant. Through a number of personal examples and testimonies, the students were able to focus on the Value of the Present by learning to listen attentively to their inner voice; the Value of the Past by revisiting their Past; the Future by taking the time to reorganize it and refocus on the journey ahead and finally, the students took the time to objectively look at their Wheel of Life and were invited to make responsible commitments for a better life.

 The students found the whole process a very fruitful and enjoyable one. They were able to connect to the various examples that were given to them. The exercises on the 'Now Moment', the 'Spiral of Life' and the 'Wheel of Life' were windows into their now lives. They were able to see themselves from a different perspective, from a Value based view point.,

 At the end of the session, a number of students came forward to write their comments in the AVEC log book:
""I am thankful to Fr. Glenn for giving some important tips and values for life" -  Manish Khain
"Thank you Father Glenn" -  Harshad Amin 

 "I enjoyed the session and really loved it" -  Harsh Gupta
"Thank you Fr. Glenn and Mr. Rochwyn who came to our school and gave us some useful and important values" -  Rohit Katkam

 "It made me realize my faults and we were very thankful to both the AVEC team for taking the effort to help us realize our faults. It really is very useful to us all. thanks once again" - Abishek Jadhav
"Good feeling and it will help us in our future" - Sahil Javale

 "Feeling very happy and i really hope it will help us in our future. Thank you father" - Siddhi Saundalkar
"The best way to express our feelings and thought about our future too" -  Ekta Mayekar

 "Feeling very good. We enjoyed it. Came across many problems but we must wash them off our life. thank you" -  Sayali Jadhav
"Realized that our lives are so important and hats off to Fr. Glenn" -  Samruddhi Tadwe

 "I enjoyed this session and learned alot about the importance of life" - Vrushali Bhosale
"I enjoyed this session and hats off to Fr. Glenn and team for coming here and speaking to us" - Amisha Dalui

Congratulations to all the students for their whole hearted cooperation and attentive listening.