Fr. Ajoy Fernandes the Chief Guest ready for the entry
The Annual Day Felicitation Programme was held on Sunday, the 31st January 2010. The Chief Guest for the day was Rev. Fr. Ajoy Fernandes, the Vice Provincial of the Mumbai Province. Fr. Ajoy was the Rector of St. Dominic Savio's for the last three years.
The guard of Honour
The programme began with a solemn entry of the digintaries and a guard of honour with the flag bearers leading the dignitaries.
The Welcome song was done by the NIOS and sung by the school choir.
The Welcome song by the NIOS
The tiny tots invoking the blessings of God
The dignitaries were invited on stage and Fr. Godfrey D'Souza, delivered his address.
The Chief Guest and the Management
On stage with the retiring staff and supervisors
"To dream the impossible dream..." sums up the hope we carry deep within us. Realizing that dream is an inner drive which eventually leads us to happiness. Yet often this potential to think 'BIG' and follow our dream remains suffocated until the right moment comes along and our courage kick starts us into life.
Don Bosco our Father & Founder, was a dreamer and dreamed BIG for his orphaned and marginalized boys.
Fr. Godfrey delivering his speech
In the address he told the audience the purpose of the Annual Day and in his felicitation speech thanked the retiring staff, Mrs. Irene D'Mello, Teacher and Supervisor for the last 36 years; Mr. Paul Sonavane non-teaching of the secondary section (20 years) and Mr. P.K. Jose (39 years) from the Boys Home.
Fr. Godfrey said that Don Bosco described his way of working with young people as building a home, a school, a playground and a church (temple, mosque). In other words, he wanted young people in our settings to belong, to learn, to find meaning and to celebrate life.
He said that Education is one of our top priorities at Dominic Savio’s. This is one of the key elements which we focus on. Why?
Firstly, because it’s the most precious gift we can give our children.
Secondly, because it’s the most critical investment in our future.
And thirdly, because it’s the most effective strategy which will enable us to survive and to thrive in a changing world.
Appreciating Mrs. Irene D'Mello for her years of service to the Institution he quoted the words of G.K. Chesterton:
“Teachers are the reason, why airplanes fly, computers programme, Ballets are danced, novels are written, cancers are researched, lawsuits are won, skyscrapers are built, and art decorates museums. Life’s biggest accomplishments, occur because SOMEWHERE, SOMETIME, SOMEONE TOUCHED OUR LIVES – AND IT ALL BEGAN WITH A TEACHER.”
Mrs. Irene D'Mello said a few words of thanks and appreciation to the school, the management and the staff for all the years she spent at Dominic Savio's and for the interaction she had with salesians and lay staff and for all that she learnt in these interations.
She said that as she retires, she will carry the charism of Don Bosco to spread the light and be a beacon to all whom she meets.
Fr. Crispino D'Souza then gave the report of the school for the year 2009-2010
After his report he gave a cheque to the Rector, Fr. Godfrey D'Souza for Rs: 3 lakhs for the Evening Study Classes for the benefit of the students.
The Principa, Fr. Crispino D'Souza reading the school report
Fr. Ajoy Fernandes the Chief Guest then spoke and congratulated the Management and staff for the Celebrations and all the hard work put in to make it a success. He too said that Don Bosco wanted his settings to be a place of learning (school), a place of belonging (home); a place of meaning (church, temple or mosque); and a place to celebrate life (the playground).
He congratulated and thanks the retiring staff for their unstinted service for all these years to the Institution and their dedication and sacrifice.
He said he was happy to be back in the midst of the students and to meet and greet familiar faces.
Fr. Ajoy Fernandes the Chief Guest delivering his speech
After the speech of the Chief Guest, Fr. Ajoy Fernandes, the audience were in a mood for the Musical Don't Stop.
The crowd today was definitey much more than the precious day and some of them had come again a second time to witness their children singing and dancing to the tunes of MJ - Michael Jackson DON'T STOP !
