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As the curtains fall on one phase of their journey, the graduating students of Class X and XII know that the memories of the past will be cherished forever but the future is their destiny. On the evening of December 22, 2023 as they are escorted into the St Joseph’s College of Law Auditorium, by the Principal, Fr Sunil Fernandes SJ, there are mixed feelings writ large on their solemn faces. The little ones that had entered the portals of school are now men and women for and with others, armed with the values and culture of SJBHS.

The chief guest for the programme, Air Commodore Rohith Vijayadev VM (Old Boy Batch of 1991) accompanied by his wife, were led forth into the venue by the ceremonial Josephite Guard of Honour. They were accompanied by former Principal, Fr Michael John SJ; Vice Principal, Mr. Brian McKertish; Primary School Administrator, Fr Vishal D’Souza SJ; OBA Vice President, Mr. Christlyn Cardoza; OBA Joint Treasurer, Mr. Yashwant Gujjer; OBA Secretary, Mr. K T Lazar; PTA Vice President, Mr. Arvind Gowda; and the PTA Secretary Ms. Priyadarshini.

As with all events at SJBHS, the valedictory ceremony, commenced with a prayer and a prayer song giving praise to the Almighty and seeking His manifold blessings. The lighting of the symbolic lamp of knowledge and radiance formally endorsed the events that followed. Fr Principal warmly welcomed the gathering, wished the valedictorians the very best and advised the graduating students to use the tools of peace, reconciliation, harmony, and justice as they were navigated through the world.

The graduating batch of Class X and XII were represented by the Valedictorians Aditya Shroff (Class X) and Siddharth Kothari (Class XII). In their message, on behalf of their classmates, they recollected shared incidences of the years gone by, put into perspective the fears and the excitement of the future and bade farewell to their beloved ‘Sirs and Chers,’ the admin and support staff and to their dearly beloved school.

After the ceremonial transfer of charge and the school song, Neeraj Nanaiah (Class IX) and Sugandha Gupta (Class XI) replied to the Valedictorians and re-iterated their faith in the conquerless alliance of Josephites. Scrolls were exchanged to seal the pact.

The Chief Guest, in his address, stressed on the processes of education and advised the young valedictorians to find the right balance in life; serve the people and the nation; believe in Bakti/devotion; and when the going gets tough let ‘Faith and Toil’ be the motto to let the tough get going! The solemn programme continued with the students being awarded with their passing out certificates.

After which, it was time for the farewell song, especially curated by the staff, for their students followed by a plethora of farewell songs by the valedictorians. The students then lit their candles truly symbolic of Graduation – a stepping out from the world of Joseph’s to the wide world of opportunities, fortified with the motto of ‘Faith and Toil,’ invigorated with the maxim of Cura Personalis, strengthened by the fact that 27, Museum Road would always be ‘home’. 12 A