Annual Primary Speech Day & Prize Distribution

“It is time for us all to stand and cheer for the doer, the achiever ― the one who recognizes the challenge and does something about it”

The OBA Buzz was formally declared open on June 22nd by Fr. Principal who emphasized the integral part that the OBA plays in developing Josephites.

The ambiance was self explanatory….flowers in abundance, flood lights trained on centre stage, parents and grandparents filling the seats in the auditorium, while the backdrop with the words “SCALING NEW HEIGHTS”― said it all!!

The chief guest, Mr. Samir Stewart, International Economic Development Specialist and Old Boy, was escorted to the venue by Rector, Rev. Fr. Anthony Joseph, S.J.; Principal of SJBHS, Rev. Fr. Clifford Sequeira, S.J.; Primary Administrator, Rev. Fr. Sunil Fernandes, S.J.; Vice-Principal of SJBHS, Mrs. Miriam Angelo and secretary of the OBA, Mr. Brian D’Lima.

There was palpable energy in the air as the event kick-started with a debate competition. With the contestants plunging into the competitive mode, it set the tone for an action packed week.

The array of events for the high school included Mad Ads, Personality Contest, Air Crash, Dumb Charades, JAM, Creative Writing, Elocution, Singing, Instrumental and Drawing amongst others.

The events for the juniors included Singing, Instrumental, Elocution, Drawing, Spell Bee and Dance. It was a joy to see juniors, as young as 6 years, take on the stage for the first time and portray immense stage confidence in elocution and singing whilst expressing themselves confidently on paper in the drawing competition.

The lighting of the symbolic lamp gave way to the welcome dance by the students of Std. II….a real pleasure to watch the stage come alive with the little ‘peacocks’ of SJBHS ‘preening’ to welcome the invitees! The address by the Primary Administrator, Rev. Fr. Sunil Fernandes, S.J., further added to the warm welcome.

The unmissable event was the Quiz which was conducted for the 26th successive year by the quizmaster Mr. Maurice de Rebello accompanied by Wing Commander Surinder Chibb. The quiz had contestants battling it out in 16 rounds covering all genres wherein one sleight of hand and brain could change the whole picture; one wrong answer could prove costly. The audience too immersed themselves in the experience, springing up to answer questions thrown to them and in turn enjoying some free bites.

Budding student photographers swamped the competition venues through the week capturing passing moments to be remembered forever. The event culminated with a lively dramatics competition which served as a befitting and light finale.

The entertainment section comprised of the ‘red and black brigade’ of Std. I with their melodious rendition of the song ‘HERO’ while the Kannada song emphasized UNITY IN DIVERSITY here at SJBHS!

An adaptation of the original play by Hans Christian Anderson entitled ‘THE EMPEROR’S NEW CLOTHES’, was a judicious mix of talent and hilarious entertainment reiterating a strong belief in the abilities of our young Josephites!

Mr. Samir Stewart in his address called the day ‘a celebration of achievements― which was neither regular nor routine!’ The Rector, Rev. Fr. Anthony Joseph, S.J., asked the students to ‘discover their true selves’. As always, a man for the poor, he asked the students to extend their goodwill towards the less fortunate― the deprived and the dispossessed; to be good citizens and to be true Josephites upholding the motto of FAITH and TOIL!

‘High achievement always takes place in a framework of high expectation!’ - Jack Kinder.

As the young achievers of Std I-IV trooped onto the stage for the prize distribution, their faces were aglow with pleasure, glory and a sense of pride― a fitting tribute to a year of hard work, healthy competition and servitude to the need to excel!!

The Inaugural Primary Speech Day and Prize Distribution was a runaway success which closed with the Vote of Thanks and the National Anthem, leaving the parents jubilant that SJBHS had once again paid due tribute to its budding academia!!