Today’s Kids, Future Leaders! 56 Gonzagaites Graduate at St Aloysius Gonzaga School
Mangaluru: 56 tiny little Gonzagaites of St Aloysius Gonzaga School (SAGS), Mangaluru graduated during the 5th Kindergarten Graduation Day held on 23 March 2019 at the 5th Floor Gonzaga Hall. Today was indeed a grand and glorious day, where 56 children’s dreams came true as they were anxiously looking forward to receive their “Graduation Diploma”. Graduation day for these smart Graduating kids from kindergarten all clad in their “Graduation Robes” really made this the most memorable day of their lives thus far! They were all beaming with joy and pride amidst their teachers and parents, who were responsible for them to get so far, and earn the graduate that graduate status?.
Yes, it’s true- Graduation Day fills the heart with mixed feelings. Fulfillment and sadness, anxiety and eagerness, say goodbye to the secure life within the kindergarten walls and get ready to explore a new world altogether. On this bright morning, the management and staff of St Aloysius Gonzaga School, parents, teachers, relatives and friends of the kindergarten kids gathered here in large numbers for the 5th Kindergarten Graduation Ceremony. It was a great occasion in the lives of all the children. It was also due recognition for the outstanding work of the principal/staff/teachers and also a pretty emotional day for the parents.
Just looking around, the happy smiling faces says so much about the environment at this school. The children have learned so much. No doubt, the school places great value on community, learning, fun and a child centered approach. The credit for the success and educational growth of the kids should go to the principal Ms Grace Noronha and the dedicated teachers, who had molded the kids to become smart and successful graduates.
Prior to the commencement of formal convocation ceremony, all the 56 kindergarten kids going to be conferred with “Graduate Diploma” marched in a row clad in their robes, along with the chief guest Dr Bhaskar Shetty- President, Nandavan Education Trust/Managing Director of City Hospital, Mangaluru, Fr Dionysius Vaz Sj- Rector, St Aloysius Institutions; Fr Melwyn Mendonca Sj-Manager, SAGS; Ms Grace Noronha- Principal, SAGS; along with the teachers. The programme began with invoking God’s blessings which was prayerfully done by the UKG kids, followed by a welcome address by Ms Aparna Suresh-KG Coordinator.
Ms Noronha took over the charge to do the presentation of the tiny and cute little graduates, which was followed by the Conferring of the graduation titles which was presented and read by Fr Dionysius Vaz SJ. The pledge of the graduating class was then administered by Principal Ms Noronha to the graduating students, where they repeated the words of pledge after her. All the graduating kids were given a rousing applaud, with the graduation -congratulation song playing in the background. After receiving their graduate certificates, all the 56 graduates sang the graduation song. On behalf of their graduating classmates, Master Relson Cutinha and Miss Rebecca Thangam Joshua expressed their experiences at the School and thanked their Principal, Manager, teachers and staff for their care and love shown towards them. On part of the parents, Ms Divya Vijayamma, mother of Shrava Bhat, and Harish Patil, father of Avaneesh Patil expressed their thoughts on the school and management about their commitment and dedication shown towards the children, in bringing them up with good education, morals and characters.
Chief guest Dr Bhaskar Shetty, while complimenting the graduates on their achievements, also complimented the teachers for their dedication and hard work in shaping the students through education and other co-curricular talents, and emphasized on few principles that the parents and teachers should follow in training and bringing up the children. Further stressing on the parents to make time for their Children, Dr Shetty said, ” Yes these days parents in their 21st century are busy with their jobs or other assignments, having little time for their kids. But as a parent, the greatest responsibility is to give time. Keep the children away from watching too much TV, mobile phones, electronic games etc. You need to monitor their growth and give leadership. Give then hygiene food, and not junk food. Healthy children make better youth. These children are the asset and future leaders of the nation. So no matter, how busy you are, spend at least an hour or two with your children, and feel the difference you will make in their lives” added Dr Bhaskar.
Fr Melwyn Mendonca Sj in his speech said ” Quality is much more important than quantity. We need to teach the children the basic manners and teach them how to respect their elders, teachers and parents. Never tell children that they are wrong, which may hurt them bad. Times have changed now- the way we were brought up as children decades ago has changed. So we need to adjust to the needs of the present children, by making time for them and communicating with them. These children will make a difference in the world, so let’s look forward that these kids will become better human beings when they grow up. As Lok Sabha elections are approaching let’s look for a government which cares for the people. Just like the children here are in unity irrespective of caste or creed, let’s also look for our leaders who will live in unity and treat everyone equally”
Rector Fr Dionysius Vaz Sj said that we should train and bring up the children very socially, emotionally and intellectually. Parents can encourage and assist the child through the education that the child will need to succeed. A young child who is given appropriate education will be properly prepared for his or her career. He further said, “Among all the speeches today, the speeches made by the two graduates about their experiences at SAGS were the best. I never spoke like them when I was their age-these kids are smart-kudos to the principal and teachers for molding them to be smart kids. We need to label children’s experiences. Not just the smart kids, we also need to encourage and entertain those kids who are the weakest, thereby giving them a scope also to reach greater heights. Let’s all look forward for these today’s smart kids to become future smart leaders of our nation”
The vote of thanks was proposed by SAGS teacher Ms Reshma Pereira, and graduation ceremony was professionally and systematically compered by Ms Gloria Misquith and Ms Rasha D’souza, both SAGS teachers. Today’s smart kids are nations future leaders. May God bless these tiny “graduates” as they move forward into becoming youth and adulthood graduates in their high school and college grade. What happens today…. is life changing and has to last for a life time. Best of luck Kid Graduates!
