Media Release
Puttur, Dec 26: St Philomena High School, founded by the visionary of Puttur, late Msgr Antony Patrao, celebrated its 68th annual day on December 19 in a befitting manner.
“The school, as a temple of learning has a very great responsibility of teaching values to the children to mould their character and to make them responsible citizens. Value based education is the need of the hour. Such learning should not only enhance knowledge and inculcate values in them, but also lead them towards nation building activities. Schools should also contribute for the betterment of society through social service,” said Rt Dr Gee Verghese Mar Makarios, bishop of Puttur. He was presiding over the school annual day function.
Mahesh Kumar Karikkal, an eminent and progressive agriculturist from Sullia, Suchanth G, regional manager, Autochrome India Pvt Ltd, Bengaluru, both senior students of the institution, were the chief guests. Mahesh Kumar felt that discipline and guidance are the part and parcel of our life. Educational institutions help to develop discipline among the students and guide them properly. He urged the students to pursue in the footsteps of late Msgr Antony Patrao and late Denis D’Souza, who was his headmaster. He called upon the senior students to facilitate completion of the unfinished projects. Sushanth G in his speech, advised the children to set their goals first and then persevere to achieve them. He recalled his student days and the guidance he received from the teachers which helped him in shaping his love. Fr Peter Serrao, another guest, appreciated the selfless service of the head of the institution for the betterment of the school children and stressed the need of educating every child.
Earlier, the dignitaries were extended with a ceremonial welcome by the NCC cadets and the school band. After invocation, a minutes silence was observed as condolence for the departed souls associated with the school like Doris Menezes, Keshava Bhat, B J Suvarna, Norbert Mascarenhas, Jerry Louis, Herman Louis and Dinesh D’Souza. Correspondent Fr Alfred J Pinto introduced the guests to the audience and warmly welcomed them. Campus director Dr Antony Prakash Monteiro, PTA vice-president Vijaya Saraswathi, president of Senior Students Association N K Jannivasa Rao, headmaster Oswald Rodrigues, and SPL Mahammad Suhal were also present on the dias. Leonilla Veigas, senior teacher placed the Annual Report before the audience. Rajashekar and Francis Mascarenhas conducted the different programmes like prize distribution, felicitation etc.
Students representing the school at national level in various sports events, science model competitions and co-curricular activities namely Neil Mascarenhas, Benhur Veigas, Sudhanva, Amogha Narayan, Bhamini Bhat and Hithashree were honored. The top scorers of SSLC exams of 2016-17 namely Swasthik and Sathvika, Vighnesh Viswakarna, Narayan recipient of Best teacher award, Preethikala, G Sushanth, Mahesh Kumar Karikkala, N K Jagannivasa Rao, Vijaya Saraswathi, Fr Peter Serrao and Rt Gee Verghese Mar Makarios.
Assistant SPL Samruddhi Shenoy rendered the vote of thanks. Sudhanva and Abhijna were the Masters of Ceremony.
The stage programme was followed by a thematic exposition ‘Kavi Savi Nenapu’ a programme based on the life and works of some of the all time great poets and writers like Manjeshwar Govinda Pai, Valmiki, Kalidasa, Tiruvalluvar, Sufi Saints, Bankim Chandra Chatterjee, Rabindranath Tagore, William Shakespeare, Parthi Subba, Bharatendu Harishchandra, Kuvempu, Chennaveera Kanavi and others in various art forms.
The morning session of the programme commenced with a Holy Mass at Divya Chethana Chapel under the stewardship of Fr Eric Crasta, the parish priest of Our Lady of Dolours Church, Vittal. Later, he hoisted the school flag and wished the function a success. He said the school annual day creates a festive mood among the children and helps to recognize and encourage their talents and enables, thereby to make them good citizens. Fr Alfred J Pinto, Fr Rithesh Rodrigues, Fr Sunil D’Souza, Louis Mascarenhas and a few others were present on the occasion.