Udupi/M’Belle: St. Lawrence English Medium High School celebrates Seventeenth Annual Day

By Dr. Eugene DSouza
Pics by Anil Alva
Bellevision Media Network

Udupi/M’Belle, 05 Dec 2017: St. Lawrence English Medium High School, Moodubelle celebrated seventeenth Annual Day with stage programme that included prize distribution to meritorious students and inspiring messages by the dignitaries followed by scintillating cultural programme presented by the students as well as the members of the Parents-Teachers Association (PTA) on Monday, 4 December 2017. For the first time since the inception of the school in 1999, the programme was held in the specially erected stage in the open ground in front of the school.

 

The stage prgramme commenced with the dignitaries being taken in procession to the venue accompanied by the school band. Soon after the  prayer song rendered by the students of the school led by teacher Ms. Jovita Mendonca, the dignitaries were  ushered to the stage by the School Pupil Leader(SPL) Dylan Mendonca. Rev. Dr. Lawrence D’Souza, Secretary of the Catholic Education Society of Udupi Diocese (CESU) presided over the stage function. Mrs. Ranjani Hegde, President  of Belle Grama Panchayat  was the chief guest and Chandra Naik-Educational Coordinator, BEO Office, Udupi) was the guest of honor. Other dignitaries on the dais included: Fr. Clement Mascarenhas-Correspondent of St. Lawrence Educational Institutions, Fr. Denis D’Sa-PRO of Udupi Diocese and Parish Priest of St. Antony’s Church, Kuntalnagar, Fr. Lawrence Cutinha-Assistant Parish priest of Moodubelle, Vincent Fernandes-Vice President of Parish Pastoral Council, Mrs. Veera Fernandes-Headmistress of St. Lawrence English Medium High School, Mrs. Sylvia D’Souza-President of  PTA and Dylan Mendonca-SPL.

Presenting the report of the year 2016-17, Mrs. Veera Fernandes highlighted the curricular and extra-curricular achievement s of the institution. St. Lawrence English Medium High School was founded in 1999 by the then parish priest, Fr. Charles Lewis. The school progressed under the succeeding correspondents, Fr. Valerian D’Souza and Fr. Joswey Fernandes. Under the  present correspondent, Fr. Clement Mascarenhas the school has been on the path of success. With 22 teaching and non-teaching staff and 503 students right from LKG to SSLC the school has expanded in quantity and quality. Presently there are 30 students in SSLC. The school has maintained its record of securing 100% result in the SSLC examinations since the first batch appeared for the examination for the last 7 successive years. Out of  29 students who had appeared for the SSLC examination in March 2017, 8 students secured distinction marks, 19 got first class and 2 passed in second class. 

 

The achievements in the extra-curricular activities of the school have been commendable. Some of the highlights of these achievements are: In 2016-17, the Primary School Volleyball Team secured first place at the District level and was qualified for Divisional level in 2017. Other important achievement of the students of the school was in the sports of Karate. At the National Level Karate Championship held at Bengaluru, Varshitha of X standard bagged one gold, one silver and one bronze medal whereas Adithi of IX standard secured one gold medal and Trisha of V standard  got one gold and one silver medal.

 

In Pratibha Karnaji, students from Primary Section secured 12 prizes-4 first, 5 second and 3 third places. Students of the High School Section won 6 prizes-2 each in first, second and third places. 

 

The school conducted staff enrich programmes, orientation programme for parents, career guidance and health awareness programmes for students.

The most coveted part of the programme was the prize distribution. Students right from SSLC to LKG who had achieved great success in studies as well as various activities were given prizes by the dignitaries on the dais including Rev. Dr. Lawrence D’Souza, Fr. Clement Mascarenhas, Fr. Denis D’Sa, Mrs. Ranjani Hegde, Chandra Naik, Fr. Lawrence Cutinha and Vincent Fernandes. The names of the winners of the prizes were read out by Shashidhar, Mrs. Joyce  D’Sa and Ms. Roopashree. 

On this occasion, Mrs. Veera Fernandes who was conferred with the honour of ‘Aadarsh Shikshaki’ by the Education Department of Udupi District in association with the Aadarsh Hospital for the year 2016-16 was felicitated by the dignitaries on the dais. Mrs. Malathi, Senior Teacher of the school read the citation.

 

In her reply to the felicitation, Mrs. Veera Fernandes in emotion filled voice narrated the circumstances that led her to resign from the school. However, when she was no longer required to give up her post she thanked Dr. Lawrence D’Souza-Secretary of CESU and Fr. Clement Mascarenhas-Correspondent for  reconsidering her desire to continue as the Headmistress of the school and the support and encouragement provided by them in administering the school. She greatly appreciated the cooperation from the entire staff, parents and the students and dedicated herself to serve the institution to the best of her ability.

In her address, Mrs. Ranjani Hegde expressed happiness at seeing a large number of parents attending the annual day programme. She recalled her own school days. She made an appeal to the parents not to compare their children with other children, but promote their own talents and capabilities. 

 

Chandra Naik appreciated the achievements of the school under the leadership of Mrs. Veera Fernandes and said that   she deserved the honour of an ‘Ideal Teacher’. He further said that the institution should be proud of its achievements in academic as well as extra-curricular activities. He also asked the parents to appreciate the good work done by their children either in studies or other activities and not to harp on their mistakes which can be corrected gradually.

 

In his presidential address Rev. Dr. Lawrence D’Souza complimented all the prize winners and appreciated the teachers for facilitating the students in participating in various competitions. He congratulated Mrs. Veera Fernandes on being conferred with the honour of ‘Aadarsh Shikshaki’ jointly by the Education Department and Aadarsh Hospital which recognized her abilities and achievements. He further said that  she is the right person at the right place for the right reason. He thanked her for her great service and dedication to the institution. He emphasized on the need to have shared commitment among the management of the school, Education Department, staff and parents in order to promote all-round development and training of the students so that they can grow as the responsible members of the society and citizens of the country.

 

Mrs. Sonika Nayak welcomed the guests, Ms. Jovita Mendonca proposed th4e vote of thanks and Glen Rebello compeered the stage programme.

 

Soon after the stage programme, the students and members of the PTA presented cultural programmes. Students from practically every class presented dance programme. The highlights of the cultural programme included tiger dance, awareness about the degradation of the environment and its preservation, folk dance by parents and  a skit by the members of the PTA depicting the social  problem of elderly people in the family. 

 

The cultural programme was efficiently anchored by Dylan Mendonca and Viana Fernandes.

The entire function was meticulously planned and  well organized. The stage programme went off very well. The teachers arranged the prize winners in proper order so that time was not wasted in the distribution and collection of prizes. The speeches by the dignitaries were quite brief  with relevant message to the parents and the students. The cultural programme was appreciated by all those who attended the programme. As the programme was organized in open ground, there was sufficient space for a large number of parents, students and local people to witness and enjoy the performance of the students and the parents. The dances, especially of  students from higher class were well choreographed and presented with professional touch. The choreographer, Thanu Jay was honoured by Mrs. Veera Fernandes by offering him a flower bouquet.  

 

The participation of parents in dance and skit not only brought out the hidden talents among them, but also manifested the involvement of the parents in school activities which is a healthy sign of greater cooperation and understanding between the school management, administration and staff on one side and the parents and the students on the other.