BORIVILI-BHYANDAR DEANERY: VALUE EDUCATORS' SEMINAR 2010

11th August, 2010:

Fourteen schools from the Borivili and Bhyandar Deaneries participated in the Value Education Coordinators' Seminar that was organized by the AVEC team at Don Bosco Multipurpose Hall on Wednesday, 11th August, 2010. Fr. Ronnie Menezes, Rector and Parish Priest of the institution welcomed the 24 teachers on behalf of Fr. Bartol the dean of Borivili.

In spite of the heavy rains, all the schools were represented. The participants were welcomed by a song and then Fr. Ronnie spoke a few words of wisdom to begin the the right perspective. On behalf to the participants, Michelle D'Souza handed over a three-dozen set of Value Education Posters as a sign of appreciation to the Institution for hosting the event.

Sany Joseph, a business strategist from ASIA BOOK HOUSE, a 'Business with a Heart' publishing company, then took the participants through a session on the importance of Value Education and invited them to see how their books 'Roadmaps for Better Living' could be used by the students in their respective schools.

Fr. Glenford Lowe sdb, then took the Value Education teachers through a new way of seeing Value Education more as an Educative Environment rather than a syllabus to be merely taught. He explained the difference between Moral Science, Community Living and Value Education and invited the Coordinators of the schools to be 'Root' and a 'Route' in ensuring that Value education be given a firm foundation and Direction in the schools within the Borivili Deanery.

Certificates were then distributed to the various participants. Thanks to Fr. Allwyn Misquitta, the administrator of Don Bosco for making all the necessary arrangements and going out of his way to make our seminar a success.

Bandra Deanery _ Value Coordinators' Meet 2010

6th August, 2010

Once again, the AVEC team ventured out... this time to the Bandra Deanery to animate twenty for Value Coordinators of the twelve schools in the Deanery.

The Value Education seminar was held at St. Andrew's Bandra from 9.30 am - 01.00 pm. Mr. Robert Lopez, the Value Ed. coordinator of St. Andrew's school welcomed the participants while Fr. Magi Murzello, the Principal welcome Fr. Glenn Lowe with a floral tribute.

Mrs. Sany Joseph from Asia Book House took the participants through a well prepared session on the importance of Value education in our educational process. Through her profession as a Business strategist, she enlightened the participants on the books published by them. 'Roadmaps for Better Living' was proposed a a textbook that could be followed in schools.

Fr. Glenford Lowe sdb once again challenged the participants to make our schools Value based environments for a better society. Mr. Rochwyn Fernandes and Ms. Michelle D'Souza helped the participants to get in touch with the working of the AVEC and invited them to collaborate more proactively with all the activities of the AVEC.

None can deny that the managements of St. Andrew's, Bandra did a splendid job in hosting the event. Thanks to Fr. Magi and Mr. Robert and Ms. Jesse for making all the necessary arrangements: the audiovisual hall, the snacks, the warm reception and creating an environment conducive for the seminar.

Values for the Yatra AUGUST 2010

St. Annes', Borivili TEACHERS' ORIENTATION

5th AUGUST, 2010

Through the kind invitation of Sr. Graceline, the Principal, the AVEC team conducted an orientation program for forty five teachers of St. Anne's, Borivili. Fr. Glenn Lowe sdb, challenged the teachers to look at their calling as Educators who journey along with the young everyday.

Using the song, 'India, I Cry' as a starter, the teachers were challenged to look at the bleak future that their students face in India. "What is it that you and I can do to put a Smile of the face of Mother India?" asked Fr. Glenn.

Earlier, at the start, Mr. Rochwyn took the teachers through a whole process of calming down and re energizing oneself. Through the song, 'Teacher, Teacher', the participants were asked to reflect on how they make a difference in the lives of the young students and how it was important first to 'reach them' in order 'to teach them'.

Teachers had time to clarify doubts and change their attitudes towards their teaching profession. "What you see, is what you get!!!" they were told.

Involving the students in the life of the school was no easy task. They are the centre of all that happens. To ignore them is to fail completely. To involve them results in a bigger paradigm and makes them more responsible to be agents of transformation in the world and society by being more valued based persons.

The teachers at the end of the Orientation program felt more motivated and committed to make a Valued difference in the lives of their students and to make St. Anne's a school that would indeed be a 'second home' for every student.

Andheri Deanery- AVEC Training

4th August, 2010: Andheri Deanery - Value Coordinators' Meeting

St. Dominic Savio' High School today hosted the first ever AVEC meeting on Deanery level for thirteen schools. Twenty four Value Education Coordinators met together with the AVEC team this morning for over four hours to understand better the workings of the AVEC and to plan for the future together.

Mr. Rochwyn Fernandes welcomed the participants and in a special way thanked Fr. Godfrey D'Souza, Rector of Dominic Savio and Fr. Crispino D'Souza, Principal for hosting the Value Education Coordinators' meeting. Ms. Michelle D'Souza presented a set of three dozen AVEC posters to Fr. Godfrey as a memento.

Mrs. Sany Joseph, from ASHA Book House presented a talk on the importance of Value Education in all our schools and invited the participants to have a look at their 'Roadmaps to Living' as a resource book for their schools.

Fr. Glenford Lowe sdb, director of AVEC then addressed the participants on how each one of them could be 'deep roots' for the AVEC and to nourish the dreams and plans of the AVEC for the future.

How "Value Education" is different from Moral Science and Community living was well explained.

The participants had time to interact with one another and took time to go through all the available resource material and promised to take greater interest in the future.

Tasty snacks were also provided by the schools for all the participants.

Mrs. Vidya from, Dominic Savio's presented the vote of thanks.

Motivating Lives: St. Anthony's, Versova

3rd August, 2010: St. Anthony's, VERSOVA

Over a hundred and seventy five students of Standards IX and X from St. Anthony's, Versova took time this morning for a two hour session with Fr. Glenford Lowe, on the theme: Living Life with Meaning and Purpose.

The entire session was filled with a lot of interactive discussions, video clips, personal reflections and above all the students were invited to a very creative journey into their past lives and also into the dreams of their future.

Every detail for the two hour session was seen to The hall was well decorated and provided an atmosphere that was conducive for the occasion.

The students showed no signs of fatigue or distraction. The participation was total and the students wished that there was more time. Every student was asked to make a commitment at the end of the day. Using the metaphor of the mountain, the students were asked to identify their place on the mount according to the three categories: quitters, campers, climbers.

All said and done, every student made a personal commitment to love a value-based life and be a peak performer.

AVEC Teachers' Orientation: St. Anthony's VERSOVA

AVEC, Mumbai 2nd August 2010.

Thirty one teachers of St. Anthony's, Versova, spent an entire morning focusing on their attitudes and assumptions as teachers.

Animated by the AVEC team, comprising of Fr. Glenford Lowe SDB and Mr. Rochwyn Fernandes, the teachers took time to look at themselves more honestly and to appreciate their calling as educators of the young. After a brief introduction and a ten minute quiet time in meditation, the teachers began to see their profession as a special calling. Fr. Glenn helped them to 'Discovering their true priorities in life' and their assumptions and attitudes as a teacher.

After a quick snack, the teachers were back to look at their level of COMMITMENT to their Management, Profession, Students and Team. A short explanations on the Psychological environment that is necessary for deeper commitment was also stressed upon.

Through an interactive session the teachers were made aware of the need to create space for the students in their lives. At the end of the day, many a teacher felt renewed and took responsibility for creating a better educative environment in the school.Thanks to Fr. Francis Mascarenhas, the manager of the school for making the necessary arrangements for this Teachers' Orientation Program