Annual Speech Day and Prize Distribution (Juniors)

The Annual Speech Day and Prize Day for the pre-primary and primary section of SJBHS was held on the 7th of July, 2018. Eager little Josephites entered the auditorium accompanied by their parents and well-wishers. Mrs. Dipali, the MC, welcomed the Chief Guest for the occasion, Prof (Dr) Sudhir Krishnaswamy (Doctor of Philosophy in Law and an Old Boy) and the Guest of Honour, Rev. Fr. Hedwig Da Costa SJ (Former Principal of SJBHS). They were escorted to their seats by our Principal Rev Fr Clifford Sequeira SJ; Vice Principal Mr. Uday Kumar; Primary School Administrator Rev. Fr Alwyn D’Souza SJ; President of the OBA Mr. Jyotinath Ganguly; Secretary of the OBA Mr. Brian D’lima; secretary of the PTA Mr. Anthony Pravin; the coordinators of the Primary Section, Mrs. Augustina Queen Mary and Mrs. Anita.

The lighting of the lamp symbolizing the spark of learning in the hearts and minds of children was followed by a lively invocation dance and welcome dance by the students of Stds 1 & 2.

The welcome address by Mrs. Virginia Dass was followed by a musical put up by the students of the third and fourth standard depicting ‘Self Worth’ and ‘Hard work’. Indeed it was a great deal of hard work on everyone’s part and the result was there for all to see.

Fr. Hedwig Da Costa, former Principal of SJBHS, charmed the gathering with his wit and humour. He explained how the Prize Day was also called the Speech Day as a result of the British system of education. He emphasized that education is the right of every human being and as a consequence, we learn to live in harmony, peace and love.

Following this, the Chief Guest, Prof. Sudhir Krishnaswamy, reminisced about his life as a student at SJBHS. He took the opportunity to motivate the students to work for the pure joy of learning and to be intrinsically motivated rather than focusing on rewards and grades.

The winners were then rewarded for their exceptional academic efforts for the year 2017 -2018. The Prize Day came to a close with the vote of thanks by Mrs. Jessy Virginia Mariappa, with an apt quote:
‘Life is like a camera, focus on what’s important,
Capture the good times, develop from the negative.
And if things don’t work out,
Take another shot.’