Important Milestsone

On the 23rd of January, 2018, as day gave way to dusk, the time for bidding farewell to our outgoing students arrived. The air grew chilly, but there was much warmth and camaraderie among the Valedictorians as they waited for the ceremonies to begin.

The elite Josephite Guard of Honour, by the smartly attired NCC cadets, heralded the arrival of the Chief Guest Mr. Siddharth Raja (Old Boy, Senior Partner and National Executive Director Argus Partners) and Mrs. Priya Rao, Guest of Honour, Rector of St. Joseph’s Institutions Rev. Fr. Anthony Joseph SJ, President of the OBA Mr. George Ollapally, Secretary of the OBA Mr. Brian D’Lima,and Secretary of the PTA Mr. Anthony Pravin were escorted by the Vice Principal Mrs. Miriam Angelo and the Primary Administrator Rev. Fr. Robert Rodrigues SJ.

Our Principal Rev. Fr. Clifford Sequeira SJ, then led the Valedictory March down the red carpet towards the venue where the backdrop read: ‘Take pride in how far you have come, have faith in how far you can go.’

The programme commenced with the lighting of the lamp – the universal symbol of truth, knowledge and understanding. The invocation song followed called on the Almighty to bless and guide, guard and protect the gathering of students and their teachers, parents, grandparents, siblings as well as well-wishers.

The evening gathered momentum with a prayer dance, invocation song ‘Come, now is the time to worship’ and a prayer for the graduating students.

Fr. Clifford welcomed the gathering to yet another memorable phase of a student’s life where he/she can give wings to their dreams. The dignitaries were introduced and their achievements highlighted as bouquets and mementoes were presented to them.

In the Valedictorian Address, Muthamma of Std 12 and Rohit Paul of Std 10 advised their fellow valedictorians and took a walk down memory lane and put on record a myriad of thankyous to the management, staff, support staff and their juniors.

The transfer of charge took place to the tune of ‘Abide with me’. The lowering of the school flag by the representatives of Stds 10 and 12, and the handing over of the same to the students of Stds 9 and 11, who then hoisted the flag again, marked the change of guard and the safe keeping of traditions with the new regime. Aditya Vijaykumar of Std 11 and Karan Rasquinha of Std 9 replied to the Valedictorians’ address with thankyous to the seniors for their guidance and support. The exchange of scrolls sealed the transfer of charge.

The Chief guest, being an Old Boy, shared his experiences in the school. He advised the students to remember two key words in their lives ‘Accommodation’ and ‘Awareness’ - they must learn to make accommodations in the future while keeping an awareness of their past.

The Rector’s Address to the Valedictorians was to reach for the highest form of Commitment which would make each individual passionate towards achieving their goals. Quoting Dag Hammarskjold, he said:

‘For all that has been thanks, for all that will be yes’.

The outgoing students were felicitated with mementoes and well-deserved course certificates. An evening at St. Joseph’s will never be complete without song. The songs by the students of Stds 11 and 12 and the teachers were sweetly reminiscent of the farewell theme.

As a symbolic illumination of the spiritual path, a candle was lit from the lamp by Fr. Principal and passed on to every student so that they may leave the portals of the school and go into the world to spread the light of knowledge and negate the fear of ignorance and the darkness of doubt. The song ‘Carry Your Candle, Go Light the World’ said it all as the teachers, parents and well-wishers of the outgoing batch of 2018 encircled the gathering and bestowed congratulatory wishes on the parade — a passing on from school to college, from student to alumni and from the sheltered well-chalked out life to the wilderness of open dreams and aspirations.