ST. MARY'S CONVENT SECONDARY HIGH SCHOOL - UJJAIN

ST. MARY'S CONVENT SECONDARY HIGH SCHOOL - UJJAIN

October 4, 2013

In spite of being a public holiday, sixty teachers of St. Mary's Convent High School - Ujjain, participated in a full day's Value Orientation Program Organized by AVEC. The theme for day was 'Management By Values (MBV). The words of introduction was given by Mr. K. M. Joseph. The session began with a spiritual tone - an inter faith Prayer Song 'Sarveshaam Swastri Bhavatu' invited all to seek God's blessings of abundance, Peace, health and good will.

Mr. Rochwyn Fernandes, then took the teachers through a short meditation that coupled awareness with rhythmic breathing. It enabled the teachers to clam down and also to focus on all that was positive and good in one's life. He then spoke about our AVEC Value based resources and invited the teachers to have a look at all that could used in the schools to promote values. Fr. Glenn was then introduced to the teachers. mention was also made of his kidney donation to a fellow Salesian priest in 2011.

Fr. Glenn began his session with a call to  a 'perspective change' and the need to make 'Qualitative Changes' in one's personal life that could have a ripple effect and in the bargain, cause also a 'Quantitative Change'. He also talked o them about the importance of knowing the 'attitudes of the young today to life', of 'aligning their personal values with that of the institutional values', and finally, plotting their on Value Map with reference to the 'Brian Hall-Benjamin Tonna Value Map. 

With the help of a PowerPoint presentation and a lot of situations in school life, he was able to draw the attention of the teachers to the importance of Value education as an 'Education to becoming'. using a lot of deep insights and coupled with humor, the teachers were able to situate themselves and discover the personal shifts that are necessary to make the 'Qualitative changes'.
The Vote of thanks was given by Mrs. Neeta Joseph

 “On behalf of my colleagues, I thank you Fr. Glenn for your very wise but practical analysis of present day environment – professional or vocational. Thank you making us to see the importance of the ‘Word and Values’ which we as teachers have been given the responsibility to present and inculcate in our children. Thank you for making us realize that we are the ones to help the children and to think beyond now and myself” 

 “It was really a valuable session to improve our values and we could make a shift in our lives and our surroundings too. We are grateful to have this session and are always ready to make any new changes in our lives” – Neha Sing Chowhan

Thanks to one and all and be blessed always. 

ST. MARY'S CONVENT SECONDARY HIGH SCHOOL - DEWAS

ST. MARY'S CONVENT SECONDARY SCHOOL - DEWAS 

October 3, 2013

The students of St. Mary's Convent Secondary School - Dewas, M.P, grabbed an opportunity that came their way. Over 360 students of standards nine and ten, and eleven took part in a Value Education Orientation Program, that was conducted by Fr. Glenford Lowe and Mr. Rochwyn Fernandes. A few of the std twelve commerce section were also present. Sr. Lalita, principal of the school, welcomed the guest speakers to the school. and introduced the speakers to the students. This ws surely the first of its kind for many of them.

The two sessions, consisting of two and a half hours each, were spent well. The theme for the day's Value orientation was ' Living your Life by a Value Compass'. Right from the word go, the students were fully active and attentive to every moment of the program. A prayer song, 'Sarweshaam, Swastir Bhavatu' brought a spiritual tone to the program. The students were then invited by Mr. Rochwyn Fernandes to participate in a 'fantasy meditation' and to relax and slow down with the help of some rhythmic breathing. He introduced Fr. Glenford Lowe and made a reference to his noble gesture of 'donating his kidney' to a fellow salesian priest.

 Fr. Glenn then took over... the session was very down-to-earth and full of daily life experiences in a students' life. Focusing on the need to reset one's Value compass and to take charge of one's direction in life, the entire session was a call to return back to celebrate life abundantly. The call was to get M.A.D... make a difference. Citing popular examples like Ms. Kia Scherr, Ryan Hjerlac and Malala Yousafzai, he challenged the students to make a worthy contribution to humanity. "At the end of your life, what is it that you would like to be remembered for?" , he asked.

 The young minds were invited to start asking more 'meaning questions' rather than just living a life of survival. Basing the talk on Twelve Diamond values that are important to reset one's personal value compass, the students took the opportunity to reevaluate their personal life so far. Important values based on one's 'attitude', team work, communication, confidence, creativity, criticism, were also discussed about. Other points for consideration were on 'Multi tasking and time management', accountability and living a balanced life and also a life of abundance.

 With the help of a PowerPoint presentation and use of powerful media clips and everyday life situations, the students fully participated in all the activities and were able to challenge themselves to start making a Difference in their own lives. At the end of the session, a number of students came forward to write their comments in the AVEC appreciation log book.

“It was a very nice experience listening to Fr. Glenn. It really made a change in me. I will really make a change too. Thanks for your precious time with us” - Amiket B, Jaya P, Nihal S, AditiShukla

“It was a motivational an inspiring workshop which made a way for our life and opened our eyes too” – RoshiniRajani

 “The values given by Fr. Glenn will surely be remembered and I will make a difference in all my life and above will think differently too” – TasnimBohra

“I will surely Make A Difference” - NishaChoudhary

“Fr. Glenn helped us to make our lives meaningful by telling us the important things in life” – A. Thakur

 “A worthwhile moment of my life” – Yash Sharma

“The workshop was arranged properly and everything explained very clearly. It inspired us a lot and gave us a new direction in life. We thank Mr. Rochwyn Fernandes and fr. Glenn for their valuable time and we promise to make a difference” – Amkit Y, Amal K, Shrish D, Yog

“Father Glenn thank for such an inspirational workshop and thank you for giving us such valuable messages. We promise to make a ‘Qualitative’ change too and thanks for coming to our school” - KamakshiTrivedi

 “Thank you Fr. Glenn, for coming to our school for this inspirational workshop. We will try to follow your given path. Today with this presentation, we have a ‘valuable compass’ to guide us in the future and we will surely make a Difference in the world, and you could use us as your examples too” – Mansi Gupta

Congratulations to all the students, staff and management of the school for their whole hearted cooperation and participation in the entire Value Education Orientation Program.

ST. MARY'S CONVENT SECONDARY HIGH SCHOOL - DEWAS

ST. MARY'S CONVENT SECONDARY SCHOOL - DEWAS

October 2, 2013

While India celebrated the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, fifty five teachers of St. Mary's Convent Secondary School - Dewas, participated in a full day's Value Education Orientation Program 'Management By values' (MBV) that was conducted by AVEC - Mumbai. Sr. Lalita, Principal of the school welcomed the two guest speakers to the school and thanked the teachers for sparing their time, in spite of the national holiday, to participate in the Orientation program.  

Mr. Rochwyn Fernandes, coordinator of AVEC programs, started by invoking the blessings of the Almighty through an interfaith prayer song 'Sarveshaam, swastir bhavatu'.The teachers were also asked to focus on a spiritual moment of meditation that enabled them to slow down, relax and connect with their past experiences of light and shadow. After the meditation, Mr. Fernandes briefed the teachers on the various activities of AVEC during the course of the year and appealed to them to get more involved with AVEC. Fr. Glenford Lowe was then introduced to them.

 'Management By Values' (MBV) is the need of the hour. It transcends the former styles of  Management By Instruction' (MBI) or 'Management By Objectives' (MBO). Fr. Glenford focused on the importance of embracing a new 'perspective change' right from the start. "Yesterday's solutions may not be an answer to the situation of the young people today. Management by values and having the courage to make the necessary value shifts, are the solution for today," he said. The whole program was interactive, spiced with a lot of humour and deep reflective insights too. 

 The whole program focused on the 'World of the Young' today and how their attitudes to life can only be altered if they begin to appreciate Values and make the necessary shift too. In understanding the world of the young, the teachers then focused on their own world of 'Words', their 'lifestyles' and their 'alignment of personal and institutional values'. With the help of a PowerPoint presentation and a creative set of handouts, teachers were able to plot themselves on the 'Brian Hall- Benjamin Tonna Value Map'. It took a lot of introspection to realize one's 'Value consciousness' and perception of one's worldview and how it influences one's lifestyle.

 Four hours of valued time spent on self and understanding of how to transcend life by making the necessary value Shifts. In the end, Mrs. rose proposed the vote of thanks on behalf of the management. A few teachers came forward to write their comments on the AVEC logbook:

“The session was beautiful and useful. We felt it touched and made us feel great and made a difference” – Celine Wilson

“Now onwards, I will bring about a ‘Qualitative Change’”- MeenakshiSinha

“The session was really wonderful and touched many hearts and surely will help me to change or shift in my students” - PoojaMotwan

 “Today, I was happy fpr attending this wonderful session” -  Mrs. RekhaSaundattiker

“Thanks a lot for such a great inspirational workshop. Surely it will change our life by the skills we learnt today both ‘Quantitatively and Qualitatively too” – KiranRaghavanshi

At the end of the session, Mrs. Amita Acharya proposed the vote of thanks.

ST. MARY'S HIGHER SECONDARY SCHOOL - MHOW: STUDENTS' SEMINAR

ST. MARY'S HIGHER SECONDARY SCHOOL - MHOW

September 30 - October 1, 2013

Five Hundred and Forty One students (Std IX - XII) of St. Mary's Higher Secondary School - MHOW, participated in a the 'Living By a Value Compass' that was organized by AVEC. The students were divided into two batches that covered two full days. Sr. Elsa Gonsalves, Principal of the School, welcomed the guest speakers and invited the students to make the best use of the opportunity that came their way. The students took part in the entire program with a lot of enthusiasm and cooperated fully in the entire session.

The Value Orientation program focused on the the need to 'Live by A Value Compass'. The session began with an invitation to draw strength from the Almighty through a prayer song ' Sarveshaam, Swastir Bhavatu'. A fantasy meditation, animated by Mr. Rochwyn Fernandes followed. This was an opportunity to calm down and focus on all the positive energy that is present in one's life and to exhale all that is negative and toxic. He then, introduced Fr. Glenn to the students. He made a special mention about his noble act in donating his kidney to a fellow Salesian priest over two years ago. 

Fr. Glenn began his session with a call to make a 'Qualitative' difference through the M.A.D philosophy - Make A Difference. Presenting the lives of role models like Mrs. Kia Scherr, Ryan Hreljac and Ms. Malala Yousafzai - people who chose to make a difference - the students looked at themselves too as agents of change. He focused on 12 Diamond Values that need to be inculcated so that start getting on to the right track. "In life, it is not how fast you run that matters, but rather, whether you are on the right track," he said.

At the end of the sessions, students Geeti Ramchandani Iram Khan and Namira Sheikh proposed the Vote of thanks on behalf of their respective classes.

A number of students came forward to write their comments in the AVEC appreciation log book:

“A big thank you foe being in our school and giving us such valuable teachings. Your skill for life will definitely help us to make a qualitative change and become M.A.D. Its not that I will make big changes, but I’m sure that at least there will be little changes that will motivate us and change the world. Thank you once again from the whole STD XII class” - GeetiRamchandani (Head Girl) XII

“It’s proud to attend a worthwhile seminar which has enlightened many positive thoughts in my heart” – ShaziaSiddqui XII

“It is a privilege to have Fr. Glenford Lowe here to tell us about how to ‘Make A Difference’ in our life and develop Value Skills for life” – Sakshi Gupta XII

“I would thank Fr. Glenn for being amidst us. It is a great pleasure to have him here. He has changed our outlook towards life and I hope this will lead us to the right track” - ChamhalShaeima XII

“I would like to express my gratitude for teaching us the way our life should be lived and not to loose track of it. It will definitely change our life and make a change for the better. Thank you for sharing your valuable time with us” – Ayushi XII

“It is an honour to have you Fr. Glenn in our school. The best thing I liked is your attitude to life. The principles you had taught us will surely help us to make a difference in our lives. Thank you for being so humble and frank and helping us to analyze our lives. Your teachings will remain in our minds and will definitely be converted into practical application. Thank you father” - Alankruti XII

“It was a privilege to have you with us. Your words were inspiring and they instilled in us new hopes. I hope that we will practice all the values that you taught us. Thank you very much” - Aditi XII

“It was a life time opportunity to spend time with you. It was a great experience. Your words have its own meaning, your message and values have reached every heart here. Thank you Father” – E PANDEY XII

“I have gone through many seminars but it was you who told me to ask meaningful questions. Thanks for making me change” – KratiTiwari XI –A

“This was one of my best experiences of mu student life. Having attended many seminars, I can definitely say this one was the best of all!!! Getting to know so many things about myself and others was very interesting. Thanks a lot” – SanjivaniMandloi XI-A

“It was a very beautiful seminar put with a lot of effort to help us go forward into the future with confidence, to lead ourselves and not to fall along the way. You challenged us to also share our problems and make a difference. I will not forget your words and will surely lead a happy life” – AlnooraAsif XI – A

“Realized my responsibilities towards my life and also that of others.A meaningful and beautiful seminar. Now I will be striving to ‘Make A Difference’ ­- Nikita Gupta XI –A

“It had a good experience to know about life and moral values we need to follow all our life” – Diksha N XI-

“It was a great and wonderful experience to be here with such great people. The values which you instilled in us were very valuable. Thank you for such valuable guidance” – Ojaswi Dixit XI

“This was rally an awesome time spent here. I am very thankful for giving us such values and we hope that we are able to fulfill whatever we promised and said.” – Iram Khan X B

“It was very inspirational and we are ready to get M.A.D” - Pranchi X – A

“Great to attend. We were really frank to you to share our thoughts. I hope soon the M.A.D phenomenon will come in our minds. Thank you for encouraging us” – NehaManral X – C

“We had great fun to attend this valuable seminar and for this good experience to help hold me high in my future life” – Namira Sheikh IX

“We had great fun. We thank you for inspiring us. We were really frank to share our thoughts with you. Thanks for all the encouragement. Now I can get M.A.D too” - SonamSwamy IX

“I got many things about life and how to be a person with good values. I will always remember this for every day of my life” – Diksha T IX

“I don’t know what others felt about this session, but I really liked it. The videos were amazing, touching and they have helped me to cope with any situation” – YashashviVerma IX – C

“We are very happy to have you in our midst. We would like to join you in the future when we grow up. We learnt so many things and we saw reality of life before us. Thank you” -  Hamlet Daniel IX-A

“I am very happy because today I saw the reality of life. I appreciate you very much and thank you for spending your precious time with us to guide us for our future” - Shimona Marshall IX-A

“At first, I expected this seminar to be boring…. But then the inspiration you gave us in three hours was really worth it” – Abigail Brown IX 

Congratulations to the Management, Staff and Students of St. Mary's High School for their whole hearted cooperation and attentiveness all through the session. Be blessed and thanks once again!