ST. MARY'S HIGH SCHOOL - KALINA: SCHOOL CABINET LEADERSHIP TRAINING

ST. MARY'S HIGH SCHOOL - KALINA: SCHOOL CABINET LEADERSHIP

August 8, 2013

For one hundred and seven Cabinet Leaders of St. Mary's High School - Kalina, today's program came as a total surprise. AVEC organized a a full day's session on 'LEADERSHIFT - Leading By Values'. The school principal, Mrs. Jasmine Lobo warmly welcomed Fr. Glenford Lowe and Mr. Rochwyn Fernandes to the school and invited the young leaders to make use of the opportunity, to make a difference in the school, through their leadership qualities. She also made a special mention of the generosity of Fr. Glenn - a wonderful example of sacrifice - who donated his kidney to a fellow priest. 

Mr. Rochwyn Fernandes began his session with a prayerful meditation. He enabled the young School Cabinet members to breath in all that was good and positive and exhale all that was toxic and negative. The students took part in the whole meditation in a very serious manner. He briefly explained about the AVEC and then introduced Fr. Glenn to the students.

 Fr. Glenn began the session by recalling the student life of our President, Honourable Pranab Mukerjee. He also made reference to the young Malala Yousafzai, from Pakistan and her daring leadership style even in the face of a Taliban shout out. "Your role as School Cabinet Leaders is more that just maintaining discipline in the school. In that case, a policeman will do a better job. The school doesn't need 107 of you to do it!' he shook them. "As leaders your role is far more important, and 'Leadershift - Leading By Values' will help you to make your lives here in school more significant," he added.

Good Leaders start by looking within. Self Awareness is the key to Leadershift. The first exercise enabled them to focus on the learnings of  one's past, holding on to one's future and also having the courage to accept one's present moment with its light and shadows. Good Leaders first take control of the destiny of their own lives before their begin to lead others. VISION was another aspect in good leadership. "Know what you are running after in life. Be clear and stay focused on your Vision, or else, you will run after things that are useless and of no value," he added. Without vision, men perish.

The importance of SHARING THE VISION and building Synergistic TEAMS was also emphasized. This was enhanced by another exercise using balloons. PLANNING the SMART way leads to success and fulfillment of the task given. Good Leaders 'THINK OUT OF THE BOX' - Creativity gets you there, and THINK HIGHER was the slogan! The need to be RESPONSIBLE was also highlighted. Good Leaders know how to HANDLE CONFLICT and PROBLEM SOLVING. The students were then engaged in a heated discussion that brought out the importance of Problem Solving. Avoid being judgmental and running for hasty solutions.  

The sessions also focused on the importance of using COMMON SENSE. Too many times we just jump into doing a task without really using common sense. The final part of the session focused on the importance of LEAVING A LEGACY. Good leaders leave the world better than they found it. "What is it that you would like to be remembered for at the end of your life?" he asked them. Great leaders leave a foot print large enough for others to follow. What is your footprint that you will leave behind?

 At the end of the program, a few leaders came forward to express their appreciation in the AVEC log book:
"Thanks for making me a better Leader" - Jeanelle X-B
"Thank you for such a good session. I believe, we can develop into better leaders" -  Preetika IX-D

 "Thank you, it was a very inspiring and will help us to become better leaders too" -  Asha VIII - C
Indeed, it was an experience that we never imagined at all. Being a leaders is not just to lead others, but to first set an example for other people to follow" -  Cyrene IX-D

"I thank Fr. Glenn for helping everyone and me today" -  Aniket VII
"I liked the way Father Glenn spoke to us in this session. I will try and follow the tips given during this Leadership program" - Hemant IX-D

 "Today's session was wonderful and inspiring for us. Thanks for that" -  Ashwin IX-D
"It was a beautiful experience for all os us and would like to have at least another every year" - Arush IX-B

 "It was a pleasure to meet you because of your teaching. We leaders can enlighten the students in the school" -  Sheldon Martis VII-C

 "Indeed it was an enjoyment for us and for helping us to lead a better leadership" - Nojin VII-C

 "For making the boring work of leadership into fun, thanks"- Rushabh VIII

 "Thank you for giving us your valuable time. I would like you to come to our school regularly and give us talks on Leadership" - Vivian 

Congratulations to one and all the young leaders for taking part attentively in the whole program and for the school management for making this possible for the AVEC to conduct this 'LEADERSHIFT- Leading By Values ' Program. God bless you all

INDEPENDENCE DAY _ PRAYER SERVICE 2013

Archdiocesan Value Education Centre (AVEC Mumbai)

Prayer Resources for Independence day 

To view or download the Prayer Service for Independence day,

please click on the link given below

http://www.scribd.com/doc/158661547/Prayer-Service-for-the-Independence-Day-of-India-Aug-15

St. MARY'S HIGH SCHOOL : KALINA - TEACHERS' ORIENTATION PROGRAM

ST. MARY'S HIGH SCHOOL - KALINA: TEACHERS' ORIENTATION PROGRAM

August 7, 2013

Thanks to an early booking, months ahead, by Principal Jasmin Lobo, that ninety nine teachers from the  Primary, Secondary and Junior College sections were able to participate in a full day's Value Education Orientation program. The Orientation 'Management By Values' (MBV) specially designed by AVEC was presented to the participants. The school manager, Fr. Harry Vaz, welcomed the guest speakers Fr. Glenford Lowe and Mr. Rochwyn Fernandes and had words of praise for enhancing Value Education among the schools affiliated to the ABE.

The session began with a prayer song, that incorporated visuals from all faiths and rituals. A prayer of invocation to God was made by a teacher too. Mr. Rochwyn Fernandes then presented a short report about the AVEC activities and goals for the last year. He introduced Fr. Glenford Lowe to them. The Program ' Management By Values' was divided into three parts.

 During the first session, Fr. Glenn focused on the importance of having a 'Perspective Change'. "Too many of us are caught up in lives of routine that our vision and attitudes to life get bogged down, we live small lives because we perceive little," he said. When we see differently and are ready to make 'Value Shifts' in our lives, only then our lives to begin to transcend. He challenged the teachers to then look at the world of the young today and to understand their attitudes to life. How can you respond to their 'cry for help?' he asked. Perhaps, we can have three responses: Do nothing, or use grandmother's solutions for today, or finally, have the courage to seek solutions by enabling them to make the necessary 'Value Shifts' in their lives too.

He then focused on the power of one's WORD. Our values determine our lifestyle and it is often expressed by the words we use. "Change your words, and change your world," he added. He then identified four lifestyles: Survival, Stability, Success and Significance. "All of us are called to move up the ladder of life and to live a life of Significance, and only a 'shift in values' will enable you to shift to a higher plane of life," he affirmed.

Through the use of a PowerPoint presentation, and a lot of everyday life examples and personal testimonies, coupled with humor and deep insights, Fr. Glenn was able to draw the attention of the teachers for the next three hours. He enabled the teachers to understand the importance of 'Aligning Personal Core Values with Institutional Core Values' and then by analyzing one's personal satisfaction and institutional job satisfaction, he drew their attention once again to the four lifestyles mentioned above.

In the final session, using the 'Brian Hall-Benjamin Tonna Value Map' as an effective tool to gauge one's level of Value consciousness, he drew insights for a personal decision to shift to a higher mode to living. "When we make the necessary Value Shifts in our lives, our lives become healthier, happier and holier too," he affirmed. Students need to witness the change in our lives first, and only then their will be a ripple effect in their lives too. The final examples given were really relevant and though provoking too. He invited the teachers to start living their lives through a 'Management By Values'.

In the end, Mrs. Gonsalves proposed the Vote of Thanks and acknowledged that this was an Orientation Program with a Difference. A few teachers wrote their comments in the AVEC Appreciation log book:

"From teaching us various skills, to helping us learn geometry with a will, hoping we will move up in life, through the goals, values you taught will help us overcome all our strife. So in words so few, I want to say, THANK YOU' and a big God Bless" - Regina Pereira

 "Thanks a lot for the mass heart transplant done today. Hoping it will be a successful operation too. god bless you and your team abundantly for leading significant lives and making a significant difference in so many lives" - Bernadette D'Aguiar
"Thank you for being an example yourself. God bless and take care" - Ashwini Dalvi

"Thanks for showing us where we stand and where we need to go" - Ronald
"Very Motivating" - Boney
"Thank you so much for this wonderful WORD you have given us today. It was really a special blessing. Thank you very much and come back soon" - Ms. Lucia Khandagale

St. ANNE'S GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL - BORIVILI: LEADERSHIP TRAINING

ST. ANNE'S GIRLS HIGH SCHOOL : LEADERSHIP TRAINING 

August 6,2013

Today, Organ Donation Day, was usefully spent by over one hundred and forty six young leaders of St. Anne's Girls High School - Borivili. 'Leading By Values' (LBV) was organized by the AVEC Team of Fr. Glenford Lowe and Mr. Rochwyn Fernandes. The school principal, Sr. Gracelin welcomed the guests and paid special tribute to the generosity of Fr. Glenn in donating his kidney to a fellow Salesian priest.The students responded spontaneously with a thunderous clap. Floral bouquets were also presented at the start of the session.

 The session began straight away. The students were divided into ten teams to facilitate greater participation. The whole Leadership program was actually a 'Call to LEADERSHIFT'. The young leaders were invited to participate in a number of reflective games and activities, each one stressing a certain aspect of Leadership styles, qualities and attitudes necessary for a Leader today. "Your role as Leaders in schools is more than merely maintaining discipline. Any policeman would have done a better job," he said. Leadership is a mission that is lifelong and necessary. All are called to be leaders.

 The four hour session focused on the following main themes and questions:
SELF AWARENESS: Who am I? What has my past got to teach me, my future to lead me and my present to appreciate and correct?
VISION? Who do I want to be (Character)? Where do I want to go (Achievement)? What do I want to have? (Possession) What is it that you are really running after?
PLANNING: The importance of being SMART in one's plan. Failure to plan was planning to fail!
TEAM WORK: The Power of Synergy over mere teams that just collaborate or compromise.
CREATIVITY? Can I think higher and achieve greater results? Think out-of-the-box!
RESPONSIBILITY? Can I delegate and be responsible for my choices?
CRISES MANAGEMENT? How can I reach out to people who are difficult to lead?
COMMUNICATION? Can I be open to the 'two way' style of communication?
TIME MANAGEMENT: The need to learn the 'art of thin slicing' and living by the 'clock'.
RENEWAL and SHARPENING the SAW: Leaders are constantly in need of daily renewal of Body-Mind-Heart-Soul
LEAVING A LEGACY: 'What is it that you would like to be remembered for?
Every important aspect had a creative game, a moment for group sharing or for personal reflection.

The young leaders took part in the whole exercise very attentively. They were eager to learn and put into practice the essentials of good leadership. Leader Tanya Sharma proposed the vote of thanks on behalf of the young leaders.
The following comments were entered in the AVEC appreciation log book:
"I am, very grateful to Fr. Glenn and Mr. Fernandes for their precious time to guide us to be great leaders one day. Thank you for showing us who we really are and for correcting our lives" - Mitali Patel X-B

 "We are grateful to Fr. Glenford for leading us and making us into better leaders. Thank you for giving us your valuable time and we appreciate it" - Gehna Gurbani, Shelia Shah IX_B

 "I am very glad to have such a wonderful leadership seminar under the training of Fr. Glenn. I am really sure that all the leaders attending this seminar will follow your values. Thank you" -  Neha A. Brahmane IX-C

 "Thank you Fr. Glenn for an inspiring seminar. it has made a great impact on our views and will definitely be very useful for our future. It gave us a boost which was very much necessary for us" - Karen D'Souza X-A

"Thank you Fr. Glenn and Mr. Fernandes for leading us to the path of good leaders. You have introduced us to our flaws as leaders and given us solutions through simple interactive exercises. Your words of guidance matter to us and will definitely make us better leaders. Also, this was the first seminar where problems of leaders were addressed. Thank you so much" - Tanya Sharma IX-A

Congratulations to all the young leaders. be blessed and thanks to the management for arranging this Leadership  Program for the students.

ST. ANTHONY'S HIGH SCHOOL - VAKOLA: TEACHERS' ORIENTATION

ST. ANTHONY'S HIGH SCHOOL - VAKOLA: TEACHERS' VALUE ORIENTATION

August 5, 2013

Sixty two teachers from St. Anthony's High School - Vakola participated in an Orientation Program 'Management By Values' (MBV), organized by AVEC. The orientation program began with a very meaningful prayer service conducted by the teachers of the school. A modern version of the 'Good Samaritan' parable focused on the student who was fallen by the wayside. Sr. Philomena, Principal of the school, welcomed the guests speakers and invited the teachers to make the best of the day and to be renewed once again in their roles as educators of the young. Floral tributes were offered to the guest speakers. Fr. Franco Pereira, sdb also joined the team as a participant.

Mr. Rochwyn Fernandes thanked the management for the very warm welcome and congratulated them for the meaningful prayer service conducted. He briefed the participants on the various activities of the  AVEC in the course of the last year. He then gave a small introduction about Fr. Glenford Lowe to them and made mention of his interview, after his kidney donation, on the value of doing the 'loving thing' rather than on doing the 'right thing'.

Fr. Glenford Lowe, Director AVEC took the participants through a journey of 'new perspectives and shifts': Understanding the 'Attitudes of the Young today to life'; the 'Power of Words - Values - Lifestyles'; the 'Alignment of Personal and Institutional Values'; and finally, the 'Understanding of One's Value Consciousness' as plotted on the Hall-Tonna Value Map. The entire session was very interactive, full of deep insights coupled with a lot of humor, personal stories of growth and the need to make the necessary Value Shifts in one's life. A PowerPoint presentation helped to understand better the Meaning of Values and the Concept of Management By Values. The session was easily understood because on the many day to day examples too.

At the end of the session, Mrs. Priya Sauri Dass, Supervisor - Secondary session, proposed the vote of thanks.
A number of teachers wrote their comments in the AVEC log book:
"The sessions were very enriching and fruitful. It will surely help us in our daily life. We thank you Fr. Glenford for your valuable session" - Sr. Joshna 

 "The seminar was very inspiring and has helped us realize that a Value Shift is very essential in our school life, and that both the family and school life interlinks in order to have a complete significant life. Thank you Fr. Glenn, Mr. Rochwyn and Fr. Franco' - Mrs. Priya Sauri Dass

 "Its always a pleasure to hear you. Your life is an inspiration and a beautiful example. Your talk today made me realize the need to rise up to shift and focus on change - all for the benefit of MYSELF - 'cause when I change my students will do so. Wonderful!" - Sharon Miranda

"Congratulations and be blessed always. It was a great experience being here with you all"                                                                                                                         Fr. Glenford lowe

VALUES FOR THE YATRA - AUGUST 2013: VALUE OF FREEDOM

Archdiocesan Value Education Centre (AVEC - Mumbai)

Value resources for Teachers and Students

To view or download the Values for the Yatra - August 2013,

Please click on the link below:

   http://www.scribd.com/doc/157593840/Values-for-the-Yatra-AUGUST-2013