A special celebration on the occasion of a milestone reached, at Don Bosco Matunga

A special celebration on the occasion of a milestone reached, at Don Bosco Matunga

-Ashwini Gupte

Don Bosco High School,

Matunga, Mumbai

20 August 2015

 The much-awaited day dawned, the fiftieth birthday of our Principal, Rev. Fr. Bernard Fernandes, an occasion not only to pray, but also to sing, dance and make merry. The day began with the Eucharistic Mass thanking God for the gift of life. A surprise lay in store for Fr. Bernard as he had no inkling of his family’s presence at the festivities! Flanked by his confreres and family, Fr. Bernard made his way to the gym where the party began. ‘Showers of blessings’ rained on Fr. Bernard as he entered the gym, courtesy our school band.

A traditional ‘arti’ was performed and a shawl presented to Fr. Bernard by Sir C. Rai, Coordinator of the Secondary Section. Ms. Lakshmi prayed to God for the person of Fr. Bernard, as one of few ‘who live for others without expecting anything in return.’ Ms. Beatrice Pinto, A.H.M., gave thanks to the Almighty for the gift of Fr. Bernard. Then came the traditional lighting of the lamp by Fr. Bernard with his dear mother, followed by family and members of his community, along with special friends Rev. Fr. Crispino D’Souza, ex-Principal,

 Don Bosco High School and Ms. Nicole Britto, ex-A.H.M. St. Joseph’s, Wadala and senior teachers of our school. Carlin Pereira read out the birthday address to Fr. Bernard, followed by the cutting of the cake by the birthday boy, after which we enjoyed a fun-filled variety entertainment programme.

A visibly-touched Fr. Bernard thanked everyone for making his day special and confessed his initial inhibitions at being asked to head the institution, on account of his ill health. Fr. Bernard gave the students the message that each of us is answerable to God and that it is a responsibility to go out of Don Bosco, Matunga and be the change that society needs.

We pray that God Almighty keep you in good health and that you enjoy many more memorable birthdays, Fr. Bernard!

English Elocution

English Elocution 

Don Bosco High School,

Matunga, Mumbai

20 August 2015

The Sr  KG had their English Elocution competition  on  19th August 2015. This competition saw many children participate. The children were judged on the basis of memory,  clarity in speech and voice modulation.  The winners were given gifts in appreciation for their efforts.

Art Work Aug 20

Art Attack Day - 19th August 

Don Bosco High School,

Matunga, Mumbai

20 August, 2015

 A day of funfilled activities and learning through art was thoroughly enjoyed by the students of Std III & IV. All the classrooms and display boards were decorated with beautiful artwork done by our very own students. Mrs Mural Rebello demonstrated Blow Painting for Std III and String Painting for Std IV. A Drawing Competition was held the topics were Fauna- A poster on Care of Animals and Underwater Scene. Ten best drawings were shortlisted from each class and the winners will receive certificates. The creativity of the students was indeed commendable.

Education to Love

Education to Love         

 Prasd Chalkar XF

Aaron Pereira  XF   

Don Bosco High School,

Matunga, Mumbai

19 August 2015

                        Education to Love was not a  new subject for the students of Std X., though more popularly known as Sex Education.  They had heard about it from friends. They made their way to the conference hall

and met Fr.Edison who would be  their educator and facilitator.  . Many  thought, this was  going to be just another candid  question-answer session.  Some students   even joked that they knew more than Fr. Edison  himself. However, the session didn’t turn out as  many had imagined. As the session progressed, students saw themselves  getting more engaged  with Fr.    He started with a humorous video that depicted sex education to teens in India and how it conflicted with Indian values and how teachers were embarrassed discussing it. What followed after was an hour of amazing  and purpose filled interaction between  students and Fr. Edison.  He explained about the  human anatomy using  pictures and videos.  Besides that, father told how  watching pornography can affect  one’s  married life.

      Fr. Edison was the Man of the Moment. His  witty and  rib-tickling statements enabled him to strike a rapport with the students and the young teens opened up without any inhibitions. . He made sure that each query was answered,and  each doubt  cleared. By cracking a few jokes in between, he made sure that the students   were  comfortable and did not feel  awkward. Many misconceptions of the life process were shattered.  One of his many zingers was,” This is one class where I won’t give you any homework.”  From pornography to sexual intimacy, he covered  every topic, and at the same time, he made it a joyous and fun filled experience. Students left  the Conference Hall with a mature and transformed outlook towards one of    God ‘s greatest gifts to man.They were not giggling and laughing like gauche school boys  i.e. not the way they  entered the Conference Hall.        

 It is common  many children  refuse to talk with their parents about sex because  they are shy  and feel uncomfortable. Parents themselves don’t broach the subject . Sessions like these help students understand themselves better and satisfy their curiosity.

Viewing ‘Daughters of Mother India’ - Gender sensitizing our boys

By Ms. Ashwini Gupte

Don Bosco High School,

Matunga,

Mumbai, AUGUST 12

The feature length documentary by Vibha Bakshi, the winner of the National Film Award for Best Film on Social Issues, 2015, was screened for the 850 students of classes VIII, IX and X of Don Bosco High School, Matunga in their classrooms, followed by a discussion intended to sensitize the boys towards the opposite gender.

'Daughters of Mother India,’ was a graphic journey through the aftermath of the horrific rape and murder of a 23 year old medical intern, ‘Nirbhaya’ and the mass protests that followed, bringing to light 'gender consciousness' and extraordinary solidarity by ordinary citizens.

Yet another appalling incident followed up in the documentary was the rape of a 5 year old child, ‘Guddi,’ gang-raped by porn addicts, whose father can only pray for his child to leave the horrendous incident behind as she grows up.

The film helped explore the swift and radical changes being made in the Police, the Judiciary and community groups, who are promoting for the first time, a national dialogue on the current sexist attitudes of Indian society such as ‘a woman’s place is at home’ and ‘she asked for it by the way she dressed,’ and how to change them.

After viewing the film, a discussion aimed at gender sensitization was initiated by each teacher, in order to raise awareness of gender equality concerns. Through the group discussion, the teacher brought out the need for girls and women to be brave and to fight against societal ills, while our boys were made aware of the importance of empathizing with and respecting girls and women, bearing in mind the ultimate goal of gender equality in Indian society.

Independence Day

‘One small step makes a big difference’ – We acknowledge achievers on the memorable occasion of India’s 69^th Independence Day

- Ms. Ashwini Gupte

 

Mumbai, AUGUST 15: A red letter day, when we at Don Bosco High School, Matunga hoisted the tricolour with pride and saluted all the ‘true patriots’ who contribute their mite towards leading free India on the path of progress. Class X A put up their assembly juxtaposing freedom from British rule on the one hand, and a Mother India still in chains on the other; shackled as she is by poverty, communalism, gender injustice, corruption, illiteracy and other evils.

The skit brought out the strides that India has made as she forges ahead in her quest for development. We witnessed a group of youngsters enthused by the idea of being the change they wish for, pledging to stop placing the blame elsewhere and to fight against discrimination and dishonesty.

Nikhilesh Singh rendered a powerful speech made by the Late Dr. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam on his vision for India in the year 2020.

Rev. Fr. Wilfred D’Souza, the Rector, reminded us of two key words- ‘Change’ that we all look for, but which should come from within, and true ‘Freedom’ which lies in knowing what we ought to do, and doing it well.

As is tradition at Bosco’s, we took the opportunity to felicitate our S.S.C. toppers of the batch 2014-2015 for their hard work and the glory they bring to their alma mater. Our Chief guests for the day being the parents of Safal Dawankar, the school topper, Mrs. Dawankar had the privilege of giving away the award certificates and scholarships. Mr. Dawankar made a heartfelt speech intended to inspire the current students to “Be focused and give a hundred per cent.”

Rev. Fr. Bernard Fernandes brought the ceremony to a close by thanking all those responsible for the solemn and dignified proceedings.

Monsoon Day

Monsoon Week

-Mrs Colleen

   

Don Bosco High School,

Matunga, Mumbai

13 August 2015,

Standard I-IV is observing monsoon week from 10th -14th August 2015 . The classrooms and corridors were adorned with charts in keeping with the theme. The teachers had an interactive discussion with teaching aids like charts, pictures and video clips. Rain related songs were sung by the students. Rain creatures like snails, earthworms etc were brought in class to the delight of the students. To wrap it up the students did an informative worksheet.