ST. THOMAS HIGH SCHOOL & Jr. COLLEGE - GOREGAON: TEACHERS' ORIENTATION

ST. THOMAS HIGH SCHOOL & JR. COLLEGE: GOREGAON - TEACHERS' ORIENTATION

September 13, 2013

Today, AVEC made an inroad into St. Thomas High School and Junior College - Goregaon. Thanks to the foresight of Fr. Henry D'Souza, manager of the school & Junior College. Sixty nine teachers participated in a full day's Value Education Orientation Program 'Management By Values' (MBV) that was organized by AVEC. The school manager, Fr. Henry warmly welcomed Fr. Glenford Lowe and Mr. Rochwyn Fernandes to the school and invited the teachers to make the best of the opportunity being provided to them. Thanks to Sr. Geraldine Soeiro, Principal of the school for making all the arrangements to conduct this orientation program.

To set a spiritual tone to the day's orientation, an inter faith Prayer song ' Sarveshaam, Swastir Bhavatu' depicting the various religions of India with its multi-religious rituals and celebrations, enabled one and all to implore God's blessings for peace, prosperity, health and abundance on all. After the prayer song, Mr. Fernandes invited the teachers to take a relaxed position and to focus on their breathing. The exercise proved to be an opportunity to slow down and relax and to re-energize oneself with a fresh breath of energy. 

Fr. Glenford Lowe, then began his session on 'Management By Values' (MBV). Taking the participants through a number of daily life's situations and focusing on their 'metaphors of life', the teachers were able to get a new perspective change that would trigger a new procedural change. The first part of the session challenged the teachers to look at their level of change in life. "Are you ready to just make a 'quantitative change' in life. or are you ready to go for a 'qualitative change' in life?" he asked them. "Once we embrace Values and make the necessary shifts in our lifestyle, that is the start of a new lifestyle," he said.

 The teachers were invited to enter in the 'world of the young' and to understand their ' attitudes to life'. The role of an educator is to make a difference in the lives of their students by making quantum changes in their 'attitudes to life' by instilling Values in them. Through the use of a PowerPoint presentations, deep insights, personal testimonies and moments for interaction and coupled with a lot of humor, the teachers were taken through the various stages of discovering themselves and understanding their own 'level of Value Consciousness'.

In the final part of the session, the teachers were asked to look at their own 'Hall-Tonna Value Map' and to plot their 'Goal Values and Means Values' and to make the necessary Value Shifts in their personal lives before they begin to mentor their own children and students too. The teachers took part in the entire program very seriously and one could see a new sense of purpose and dedication and commitment emerge on faces of all the teachers. 

At the end of the session, Mrs. Merlina D'Souza proposed the Vote of thanks. A few teachers came forward to write their comments in the AVEC appreciation log book:

"Thank you Fr. Glenn for the wonderful session. It has definitely enlightened us. We hope to become better educators by instilling value based education in our pupils. And we definitely would like to have many more seminars of this kind! Thank you, once again." – Vivian Pathare

"What you see is what you get’ this has gone down very well with all of us. We saw and heard a lot Fr. Glenn and got plenty of value based education. Thank you Fr.Glenn, for giving us your valuable time to suffuse us with values. Your session was simply fantastic, superb, well organized and qualitative. To add to it Fr. Glenn’s impeccable sense of humor had us regaled throughout and gave us an interesting time." – Harriet Fernandes

"Thank you so much for such a wonderful, inspirational session. I enjoyed every bit  of it. It was very systematic and well planned. I learnt a lot from it. I will remember you in all my prayers." – Mariam Jose

"Thank you so much for changing my way of thinking. Your session was very interesting and inspiring. God bless you Fr. Glenn and Mr. Rochwyn. Thank you once again." – Mrs. Viveka Fernandes

Congratulations to all the teachers for their very active participation and cooperation. I pray God's blessings on you all and the management too. Be blessed and thanks for your kind hospitality received.

OUR LADY OF PILLAR CONVENT SCHOOL - JODHPUR: STUDENTS' ORIENTATION PROGRAM

OUR LADY OF PILLAR CONVENT SCHOOL - JODHPUR: STUDENTS' ORIENTATION

September 10, 2013

The AVEC Team today animated three hundred and fifty one students of Our Lady of Pillar Convent School - Jodhpur. They were warmly welcomed by Sr. Alka, Principal of the School and Junior College.The words of welcome were given by Yashrika Bhardwaj and Ms. Chakshu Purohit for the Junior College and Std IX respectively. The theme for the day was 'Living By a Value Compass'.The whole day was divided into two sessions. In the first session, two hundred and forty students from STDs X, XI & XII took part. The second session was for the students of STD IX in which one hundred and eleven students took part.

The session began with a brief introduction and a prayer song that invited all the students of all faiths to participate in praying for God's abundant blessings for Peace, Prosperity, Health, wisdom and Auspiciousness. The Prayer song was followed by a few moments of fantasy meditation that helped them to calm down and relax. The exercise that involved rhythmic breathing also enabled the students to connect with all that was good and positive and disconnect with all that was toxic and negative.

The students were then taken through a 12 Diamond Value project, by Fr. Glenford Lowe,  that challenged them to get M.A.D (Make A Difference). With the help of a lot of good role models of the likes of Ms. Kia Scherr, Ryan Hreljac, Malala Yousafzai, Derrick Redmond, Nick Santanosano and many others who 'Make A Difference' through their contributions, the students were invited to look at their own life and to make a worthy contribution to society too. A very youthful and colorful PowerPoint presentation also drew their attention all through.

The 12 Diamond Values were presented in a very simple yet insightful way through the use of powerful and inspiring video clips, personal testimonies and moments for personal reflection too. The students were challenged to start 'Making a Difference' through small qualitative changes rather than through big quantitative changes. "Big doors open on small hinges, and Values are these small hinges that can open any door or obstacle," he said.

Important aspects like the need to have a Positive and Winner Attitude in life, the Power of Synergistic Teams, the Effectiveness of Communication, the Power of Creativity and Confidence, the Value of The Effectiveness of Multitasking and Prioritizing one's Time, the need for Honesty and Accountability, the Ability to associate with the Bigger Picture, the desire for Humility and to accept Corrections, the Strength to live a Balanced Life in Body-Mind-Heart-Soul and the capability to believe in the Abundance of Life were very important insights that the students were given. A final song, 'Be the Best' was an invitation to live life super abundantly! 

At the end of the session, Vaibhav Parihar and Chakshu Purohit proposed the Vote of thanks for their respective sessions.
A number of students came forward to write their comments in the AVEC appreciation logbook:

"Respected Fr. Glenn, It was great pleasure learning from you. Your motivational words have really changed my way of thinking. I feel a complete change in myself. The optimism that you have shown in us is really wonderful." –Yashrika Bhardwaj

"Thank you Honorable Fr. Glenn for such a wonderful motivational session. It has brought a positive change in my life. Thank you." – Harshal and Vibhav,  Vignesh

"Thank you Fr. Glenn for such an amazing session., the time spent with you was really nice as well as motivational." – Rashmi

"Thank you Fr. Glenn for conducting a motivational lecture, and inspiring us with your motivational and inspiring words. Thank you very much and do pray for our institution." – Wilson, Vrindar, Naveen (X)

"Thank you Fr. Glenn for your inspiring words about value. These words will help us in our future to achieve our goal. Thank you!" – Sagar (XI)

"Thanks! It was really a great time. I will try to be M.A.D." – Bhavya (IX)

"Thank you! Fr. Glenn. It was really motivational and inspiring." – Rupali (IX)

"Thank you Fr. Glenn for giving us such a deep knowledge. I hope that it will surely make a difference in my life."

"We have got many positive vibes in us we surely try to make difference. Thank you!"

"Fr. Glenn, today I came to know the “REAL” meaning of M.A.D. I respect you from the bottom of my heart!" 

"Thank you! This clears my mind from negative to positive. This makes me “M.A.D.”(Make A Difference)" – Dikshant (IX)

"Thank you Fr. Glenn. I learnt so many things. Most favorite was M.A.D. I Dev Parihar vow to do this in my life, something different as all great people have done this. Thank you once again!" – Dev Parihar

Thank you Fr. Glenn. It was my first educational day! I really want to become a helpful person. – Kritik (IX A)

"Thank you Fr. Glenn, We have learnt many good things from you. The first was M.A.D. (Make A Difference.) In this two and a half hour class you have inspired us to do well. I was glad to sit in your class" – Chandra Veer Singh Rathore (IX C)

"Thank you Fr. Glenn for sharing your knowledge with us. We felt very nice and gained so much knowledge in your class. I thank you very much and I will try to M.A.D." –Kunal Sharma (IX C)

Congratulations to all the students for your very active participation and I pray God's abundant blessings on your all as you continue your educative journey, and above all as you continue to Make a Difference in your own life first and in the society around you. - Fr. Glenford lowe

OUR LADY OF PILLAR CONVENT - JODHPUR: TEACHERS' ORIENTATION

 OUR LADY OF PILLAR CONVENT SCHOOL - JODHPUR: TEACHERS' ORIENTATION

September 10, 2013

Thanks to a very early booking by Sr. Alice, Manager of the School, that the AVEC Team were able to travel all the way to Our Lady of Pillar Convent School - Jodhpur to conduct a full day's Value Education Orientation program for fifty nine teachers. Sr. Alka, Principal of the school, warmly welcomed the guests speakers with floral bouquets and introduced them too. The theme for the Value Orientation program was "Management By Values" (MBV)

Mr. Rochwyn Fernandes, Coordinator of AVEC, thanked the management for the warm welcome. The session began with a prayer song that was very inclusive and set the spiritual tone to the orientation program. A moment for meditation followed in which, the teachers were also invited to focus on their role as educators and to inhale all that was positive and good and to exhale all that was toxic and negative. After the meditation, he took the time to introduced Fr. Glenn and to bring to their notice, his noble act of donating a kidney to another Salesian priest.

Fr. Glenford Lowe, Director AVEC, though physically unwell, took the strength to conduct the session for next four hours. using the theme on 'Management By Values', he focused on a number of key elements: The need to make more 'Qualitative Changes' rather than 'Quantitative Changes' in one's own life and that would have a ripple effect and spill over into the lives of the students as well. He also enabled the teachers to look at their 'Call to be Educators' rather than merely fulfilling a career in life. "When one responds to a Vocation, then a persons life is motivated by Passion, Purpose and Peace. On the other hand, when when only follows a career, then one is motivated by Power. Profit and Pleasure," he said. "As educators we are called to be Value Gurus, our life becomes a lot more healthier, happier and holier too," he added.

He then took the Teachers through a battery of exercises to look at their own state in life. Drawing their attention to the 'attitude of the youth to life' in the home and classroom, the teachers were able to better connect, understand and accompany their own students too to take up the challenge to make these 'Qualitative changes' in their lives. Only by a 'Management By Values', will one be able to make the necessary qualitative changes in one's life. 

With the help of a lot of personal and institutional examples, a powerful and creative PowerPoint presentation, coupled with deep insights and humor, the teachers were able to gauge their own Value map and the alignment of their personal values and institutional values. The power of the Word was also an insight that challenged one and all. With the help of the 'Hall-Tonna Value map', the teachers were able to locate themselves on the value Map and took the time to evaluate their life and to make the necessary Value Shifts that are necessary to reach the final stage of 'Significance'. 

At the end of the session, the Vote of Thanks was proposed by Bhowre Batra. Gifts of appreciation were also presented to both the speakers. The teachers took the time to come forward and write their comments in the AVEC book of appreciation.

"Thanks for knowledgeable thoughts about Values of Life." - Varsha Batra "Thanks for giving the words “CHANGE IN CHANGE.” We will surely follow this." – Jyoti 

Ojha  

 "Thank you Fr. Glenn for inspiring us and giving knowledge to us about Values of Education." – Suniti Samson
 "Thanks for giving the secret of success and Values of education. – Sharmila Praveen

"Thank you for what valuable thought you have input in us. But how we will ask more and get more knowledge from you? As still we need to seek something more." – Sagorika

 "Thank you Fr. Glenn. The seminar was not only useful for the teaching and learning but also is meaningful for a normal human being. We liked the way the values were made aware of and also the way to achieve them. Hope together we will bring a “Change in Change.” – Dilip Singh Parihar & Rajendra Singh Bhati

"Respected Fr. Glenn, A big Thank You for your valuable teachings and directions. Today’s session was very fruitful and knowledgeable. Hoping to change and bring change in our lives and our children." – Bhowre Batra

"Thank you Fr. Glenn, you have enlightened us and helped us in the trouble we have faced and will face in our near future." –Poorva

 "Thank you father Glenn for inspiring us and teaching us the values for life" -  Priyanka Rai
"Great experience. Hopefully it will bring a positive change in our life" -  Prabhjot

 "It was a great experience, We got motivated by the whole session and now definitely want to make a 'change in change' -  Priyanka

God bless you all dear Teachers and Management of  Our Lady of Pillar Convent School , Jodhpur and thanks a million for your kind hospitality and active participation in the entire program too. 

ST. AGNES HIGH SCHOOL - BYCULLA

ST. AGNES HIGH SCHOOL - BYCULLA: STDs IX - X VALUE ORIENTATION

September 6, 2013

AVEC conducted two programs today for the students of St. Agnes Girls High School - Byculla. The resource personnel, Fr. Glenford Lowe and Mr. Rochwyn Fernandes were warmly welcomed by theschool principal, Sr. Louisa. Two hundred and seventy students of Standard X were taken through a two hour program entitled 'Embrace Values: Enrich Lives'. Mrs. Esmeralda Coutinho introduced the guest speakers to the students. Two hundred and forty five students of Standard IX were given a two hour program on 'Living By A Value Compass'. 

 Mr. Rochwyn Fernandes started the session with a prayer song 'Sarweshaam Swastir Bhavatu'. This was followed by a fantasy meditation that also included rhythmic breathing. The students took teh moment to relax and inhale all that was positive and good and to exhale all that was toxic and negative. The meditation was also like a flashback that brought their attention to important significant moments in their life's journey.

Fr. Glenford Lowe spoke to the students of Std X on the importance of 'Embrace Values - Enrich Lives'. He focused their attention on four important aspects of their personal life: The need to listen attentively to what is happening in their 'Now' moment, the importance of connecting and revisiting the dots of their past life through the 'Spiral of Life' exercise, the need to reorganize and reset one's future through the 'Wheel of Life' exercise and finally, focusing on the need to let go of the problems that hold them back in life. Using powerful role models such as Milkha Singh and Malala Yousafzai and thorough a colorful PowerPoint presentation. the students were able to imbibe the Values necessary for living a significant Value based life.

The students of Standard Nine were enabled to understand the importance of "Living Life by a Value Compass'.Focusing once again on models of the likes of Kia Scherr, Ryan Hreljac, Mamala Yousafzai, and Derrick Redford, he was able to instill in the students 'Twelve Diamond Values' necessary for living a significant and meaningful life. A life that is value based, is a life that is lived qualitatively well. With the use of a lot of inspiring video clips, motivating songs and deep insights and personal testimonies, the students felt that it was time worth spent.

 At the end of the session, the vote of thanks was proposed by Head Girl Abigail Pereira and Analise for STDs X & IX respectively.

A number of students came forward to write their comments int he AVEC book of appreciation:

"An inspiring one. Guiding us in the right way and on the right path" - Samrudhi Pingle X-A

"Thanks a lot for giving us a good information of the importance of 'Qualitative living'  Melissa Fernandes  X-A

 "It was a very inspirational session, very good examples from our day to day life and to go on in life" -  Muskan Kazi IX-B
"After experiencing Fr. Glenford, we can say that he is open hearted, courageous and an honest person. It was inspiring to hear his personal testimony" -  Munvi Viswash IX-B

"motivating and inspiring talk by Father Glenn. Thank you for such a nice talk" -  Sampada Patil
"Thank you for your time and this inspiring talk, and for telling us ablut the importance of life and values and to be the best"  Divya Dhungana X

 "Motivated us and made us realize ourselves. Thank you very much. Got to know a lot about our selves" - Sana Dadani & Shabnam X-D
"Thank youso much for the inspiring seminar and helping us to realize our past" - Schonelle D'Souza
"A very big thank you for all the motivation, determination and priceless values and much more" - Alefiya Gandhi X-B

 "Your session on Value education was really inspiring. It helped us to discover our lives and face the challenges of life" _ Alisha Gorkha X
"On behalf of the Junior College, we thank you for guiding us for living our values fruitfully and explaining to us the need for a 'Qualitative Change' rather than just a mere 'Quantitative change'. We spent some time remembering our past, the mistakes we did. By changing our mistakes, altering our failure into success. Thank you" - Asma Tetpurwala and Glansiabanu Muchhada Jr. College

 "I was shivering till the end of it... loved it all through. Hope to see you soon"  Rushali Sharma IX-A
"I was amased and inspired by the values and this talk was as worth a gold" -  Analise Dias

 "Thank you very much for this beautiful session. It was mesmerizing and amazing. I was indeed touched by your beautiful words and I promise that I will practice all of it everyday however much I can" -  Adisha Vaishya IX-C
"Thank you very much for guiding us so well and inspiring us. It was heart touching and I hope to bring about a change in m life and others too" - Ramsha Shaikh IX-C

 "Thank you Father Glenn for giving us your precious time. It was really mesmerizing. We learnt a lot and hope to inculcate all this in our daily life" - Tooba Naqash IX-D

 "Thank you Fr. Glenford for your inspiring words and your precious time and you have really changed our concept of thinking of the students. We were really inspired by the lives of the role models presented to us and the 12 Values were really good and helpful for our future too" - Mariya Z Karachiwala IX-D 

Congratulations to all the students and we pray God's blessings on your all as you continue to make a difference with your lives. 

August' 13 Daily Yatra