Moodubelle: Annual prize distribution day in Church Higher Primary school

By Eugene Moodubelle
Pictures by Anil Alva
Bellevision Media Network

Moodubelle, 19 December 2009: Every year Annual Prize Distribution Day in schools and colleges gives an opportunity to honour the students for their commendable performance in studies and other co-curricular activities and sports. It is also a day when students manifest their talents by presenting various cultural items such as dance, singing and skits.

This year the Annual Prize Distribution Day function of the Church Aided Higher Primary School, Moodubelle was held on Friday, 18th December 2009. The programmes of the day were inaugurated by the Chief Guest, Dr. Jayaprakash B., M.D. of Kasturba Medical College, Manipal by hoisting the school flag in the morning at 9.30 AM. Fr. Joswey Fernandes, Correspondent of the school, Mr. Raphael Aranha-the Head Master, Mrs. Stella Ida D’Souza-President of the Old Students Association, Mrs. Justine Ferao-President of the Parents-Teachers Association,  parents of the school children and the staff members were present for the inaugural function. The school children performed  Mass PT and also presented a tableau of the lotus honouring the motherland with appropriate exercises.

The stage programme in the school hall was presided over by Fr. Joswey Fernandes. Children of various classes jointly presented the prayer dance. Head Master Raphael Aranha welcomed the guests and parents of the school children. He also read the Annual Report of the school, outlining various curricular and co-curricular activities that were conducted in the school during the current academic year. He said that the school throw ball team had participated in the District level competition. He thanked Dr. Jayaprakash B. for donating Rs.10,000/- for the endowment prize in honour of his parents to be awarded every year to the students who score highest marks in General Science and Mathematics at 7th standard.

Parents of Dr. Jayaprakash B., Mr. Venkatakrishna and Mrs. Sumati Shanbhag who had sponsored the Annual Day meal to the students and their parents were felicitated by Fr. Joswey by presenting shawl, fruits and memento to Mr. Ventakatakrishna and flower bouquet to Mrs. Sumati. Prizes were distributed by the dignitaries on the stage to students from 1st to 7th standards for their proficiency in studies and excellent performance in various co-curricular, cultural and sports activities.

The Parents-Teachers Association President-Mrs. Justine Ferao, speaking on this occasion made an appeal to the parents to be present in large number during Annual Prize Distribution Day to witness and appreciated the performances of their own children. The Old Students Association President-Mrs. Stella Ida D’Souza expressed happiness at the fact that one of the old students of the school, Dr. Jayaprakash B. who was the Chief Guest of the Annual Day function has made the school very proud by his achievements.

In his address, Dr. Jayaprakash pointed out that wherever people go out from their village, when they come back, the first thing they remember is the school where they have studied. As the old student of the school, Dr. Jayaprakash  remembers all his teachers who had taught him right from the 1st to 7th standards.  He made an appeal to the students to make best use of the teaching and other facilities provided by the school, so that they can achieve greater heights in their lives.

In his Presidential message, Fr. Joswey said that the school has a long history of the past 96 years and within few years it will be on the threshold of the century. The school has provided education to thousands of students who have made a mark in different fields and have brought honour and good name to the school. Giving examples from great personalities, Fr. Joswey pointed out the importance of education in shaping the lives and personalities of the students.

Mr. B.C. Rao of Shivpura, the Guest of Honour, in his own inimitable style spoke on the role of parents and teachers in shaping the students as good human beings and responsible citizens of the nation. Interacting with the parents and guardians, Mr. B.C. Rao appealed the parents to look after their children as the gift of God and social responsibility. Parents should give sufficient time to their children, appreciate their performance, correct them gently and act as the first role models to their own children.

Following the lunch, the children of different classes presented various cultural items such as group dances, skits, yoga demonstration including pyramid formation. The teachers had taken a lot of time in training these children for the presentation of the cultural programme. The stage programme was compered by Sister Vineetha and the vote of thanks was proposed by Mr. Valerian Crasta.