ANNUAL DAY - FELICITATION PROGRAMME 31 JANUARY 2010

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 !

ANNUAL DAY - 30 JANUARY 2010 PRIZE DISTRIBUTION

DON'T STOP......HEALING THE WORLD !

The guard of honour

St. Dominic Savio High School had its Annual Day cum Prize Distribution Day on 30th January 2010. The Chief Guest for this day and occasion was Rev. Fr. Elson Barretto, the Provincial Economer of the Mumbai Province. The event began with a solemn entry with the scouts and escorts leading the dignitaries to their places and the flag bearers taking the lead.

Fr. Elson Barretto the Chief Guest for the occasion

 The Masters of Ceremony were Master Maryknoll and Master Benjamin.

A Welcome Song was sung by the school choir to all the parents and guests present in the tune of Jai Ho, getting everyone in the mood for the evening. The NIOS section danced to the welcome song to make it lively and colourful in the tri-colours of the flag.

The school choir at the welcome song

The NIOS dancing to Jai Ho the welcome song for the occasion

The tiny tots then sang a prayer song invoking the blessings of the Lord on all those present for the occasion. It was truly wonderful to see them sing with such enthusiasm and gusto.
The tiny tots of K.G. invoking the blessings of God on the occasion

Fr. Godfrey D'Souza, the Rector was called to give the welcome address. In his address, he spoke of the event that was taking place and told the audience that the Salesian Congregation was celebrating 150 years of its foundation. He touched upon parenting and the importance of parenting and requested the parents to give special attention to their children and a listening ear to their problems. He also briefly highlighted the recent spate of suicides and asked parents to watch for signs from children and to help them through their problems and difficulties by giving them a chance to confide in someone and share their anxieties.

Fr. Godfrey D'Souza giving his welcome speech

The Chief Guest, Fr. Elson Barretto, was called to the podium and delivered his speech. He spoke about winning and winners and congratulated all those who would be getting prizes for the occasion. He however said that what mattered was not just winning a prize in some competition or exams, but rather we win in life - that is more important and winning in life means, if I have done something good and reached out to someone in life then I have passed the most important test - the test of life ! Fr. Elson gave away a number of prizes and trophies for excellence in studies, sports and other co-curricular activities.

Fr. Elson Barretto enlightening us with his words of wisdom

With a short break after the prize distribution the audience were waiting for the musical 'Don't Stop'
Don't Stop is a musical all about your heartbeat and what it really wants. Bill, the central character is trapped between what he has to do against what his heart wants him to do. Being a big fan of Michael Jackson, he is forced into learning boxing by his father. They say boys don't dance and girls don't play football. Hence this Musical is an eye opener for your heart to triumph over and break free from the myths in our day to day lives.

Don Bosco, through his salesians, helps little Bill to live his dream.


The children in action at the musical

The grand finale - all on stage

Fr. Crispino saying the vote of thanks to one and all

A view from the back
It was a fantastic performance put up by the youngsters. The direction and choreography was done by Mr. Avit Dias. It was a musical of great magnitude and a big cast. A little more than 900 students came on stage. The Annual Day had a three fold purpose: To celebrate 150 years of the Foundation of the Salesian Congregation; to Felicitate the retiring teachers (done on the 31 January) and a tribute to MJ - Michael Jackson, the king of pop.