ST. CHARLES HIGH SCHOOL - VAKOLA: STUDENTS' ORIENTATION PROGRAM

ST. CHARLES HIGH SCHOOL - VAKOLA: STUDENTS' VALUE ORIENTATION

This morning, around 450 students of STD IX & X, from St. Charles High School - Vakola, took part in a Value Education Orientation program that was organized by the AVEC Team. Thanks to the principal Sr. Jacinta for booking the resource persons well in advance. Sr. Jacinta, warmly welcome the guest speakers to the school. Mr. Rochwyn Fernandes animated the first part of the session by a prayer song 'Sarveshaam Swastir Bhavatu'. The young students were then taken through a spiritual moments of personal reflection coupled with rhythmic breathing. The entire session provided an opportune moment for slowing down, relaxing and staying focused for the following session.

 Fr. Glenn Lowe invited the students, through a number of daily choices, to check on their Value Compass in life. Without a Value Compass in life, running fast just makes no sense. Velocity is not important, in life 'Direction' is. He challenged the students to start making choices for 'higher values' even if it demands personal sacrifice. The short film, 'Two plus Two equals five' brought home the message very powerfully.

 He then presented the lives of Kia Scherr, Ryan Hreljac, Malala Yousafzai, and Immaculee Ilibagiza who chose the higher values of peace, service, forgiveness and reconciliation rather than revenge, selfishness, hatred and division. The students were then invited to look at four very important dimensions of their lives: The Present, the Past, the Future and their Problems. Through a number of practical and deep insights the students were able to 'listen attentively' to their now moment and to plot their own graph of life. The 'Spiral of Life' exercise helped the students to 'revisit their past' and to connect the dots of their lives. The 'Wheel of Life' exercise enabled the students to reorganize their future, based on their present standing in life. When it came to problems, the students were invited to 'write them on sand'; to talk it over with their parents, teachers, counselors and to seek help and advise.

 At the end of the session, the students were able to reconstruct their 'broken value compass' and commit themselves to make 'value based choices for the future'. Students Mrunmayee Khanvilkar and Neha Amin proposed the vote of thanks on behalf of the students of std IX and X respectively.

 A number of students came forward to write their comments in the AVEC appreciation log book:
"I would like to have such programs again and again" -Elita IX
"Thank you for helping us to glance over our past" -  Priti IX
"It was a wonderful session for us to face our problems, We will work as the spirit leads us" -  Susan IX

 "We are very grateful for assisting us and making us realize our part in life" - Sanchita IX
"I was very inspired to lead a good life" -  Maitrayee IX

 "I learnt to fight problems, felt inspired and awesome. I will surely practice as said. Father is proved to be an ideal. Loved the session" -  Sauleha Khan X
"I came to know the importance of values in my life" -  Sana Khan X

 "Thank you so much father for removing all the negative thoughts in me and giving me a new inspiration" -  Padmavati X

 "This session has made us live" -  Bhoomi X
"It was indeed an enlightening and an eye opening session" -  Diandra X

 "It was awesome, but the best part was we came to know about so many inspiring lives about whom we had never heard before" - Bhumika X
"It was an awesome session. we are inspired by you. we have learnt to choose the higher values in life" -  Nidhi X

 "I think this session was quite inspiring for today's children" -  Karishna X

 "Thanks for the push" -  Akshaya

 "Thank you father for this beautiful eye-opening session. It has really helped me to get a head start for the boards" -  Gail Almeida X

 "The session was inspiring and enlightening too" -  Herschelle D'Souza X

"This session was very inspiring and a meaningful one too/ thank you. we are happy to see you here" - Ankita Doppa X

Congratulations to all the students for your very active participation and cooperation all through the session and may God bless you all in your educative journey. Fr. Glenn and Mr. Fernandes