John B Monteiro

Mangaluru, Nov 21: The annual school day celebrations promote bonding among students, teachers, school management and parents. They also help to showcase the talents and achievements of students and boost their self-esteem and enthusiasm. Such annual functions help students to sharpen their organising abilities and work as part of a team. These crisp observations were made by Jacintha Vijay Alfred, Mayor of Mangaluru Municipal Corporation, in her brief speech as Chief Guest at the composite Mahatma Gandhi Centenary (MGC) High School and PU College on its grounds in Bondel on November 19.

The High School, founded in 1970, comprises Sds 8, 9 and 10 with four batches in each class, two in English medium and two in Kannada medium – accounting for a total of 600 students. In her annual report, Sr. Matilda D’Souza, Headmistress of the High School, noted that though students were not detained in Stds 8 and 9, and all were sent for the SSLC exam, of the 204 students who took the exams, 193 (95%) passed - many with distinction and with First Class. She said that the NCC and Scouts squads of the high school have won awards at various levels and so have students in sports and other extra-curricular activities.

Similar trends are noticed in the case of PU College which has 352 students in three streams – Science, Commerce and Arts. Sr Grace Lobo, Principal of the PU College, did not present her annual report in the conventional way; but through interactive pairs of students. The PU College also secured over 90% results in the public exam.

Concepta Fernandes, Programme Executive, All India Radio, Kavitha Sanil, local Corporator and Henbert Pinto, Bondel Parish Pastoral Council Vice-president, took turns to distribute numerous prizes to students for achievements in academics, sports and other extra-curricular activities.

The formal function was followed by an entertainment programme presented by the students and enjoyed by hundreds of their parents and siblings.