Kid Graduates! 33 Smart Gonzagaites Graduate at St Aloysius Gonzaga School
“As Kindergarten graduate, in the presence of all gathered here, I thank my Alma mater for the learning I had in reading, writing, arithmetic, conversation and recreation. I promise to hold the title and honor I received today with dignity. I shall do my best to practice the virtues I learnt here. I pledge the best of my life and loyalty to my Alma Mater” – Pledge of the graduating class.
Mangalore: Looking at these 33 cute and tiny little kids, 16 Boys and 17 Girls, dressed in graduation robes and caps, made me feel jealous just to ask myself, how come we didn’t had graduation ceremonies like this one, during my Kindergarten school days. I feel like going back to my LKG classes again–if not for now, may be when I return in my next avatara ?- Anyways, that was just on the lighter side of the vein. On the outset I would like to congratulate all the 33 smart kids on being conferred with the “graduation Diplomas/ Certificates”. Dream..dream..dream.. and your dreams have come true!
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. 27 March 2018, 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 4th 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 two dedicated teachers, Ms Reshma Pereira and Ms Daneshwari Hagargi, who had molded the kids to become smart and successful graduates.
Prior to the commencement of formal convocation ceremony, all the 33 kindergarten kids going to be conferred with “Graduate Diploma” marched in a row , along with the chief guest Ms Spoorthi Hegde- Director of Little Eilly Pre-School, Kadri-Mangaluru, Fr Dionysisu Vaz Sj- Rector, St Aloysius Institutions; Fr Melwyn Mendonca Sj-Manager, SAGS; Ms Grace Noronha- Principal, SAGS; Ms Reshma Pereira and Ms Daneshwari H-Conveners of the graduation ceremony. The programme began with invoking God’s blessings which was prayerfully done by the UKG kids singing the song “You are my Refuge, You are my Fortress – I Will Worship You”, followed by a welcome address by Principal Ms Grace Noronha.
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, “In testimony of your conduct and performance, and upon the recommendation of the teachers of the St Aloysius Gonzaga School, I am happy to confer upon you, the title and honor of the SAGS, confirmed and acknowledged by its seal on it”. He further read, ” This is an important day, for you, your loving parents and for all of us. Today you have become a graduate of the SAGS. We trained you to love God and to love people. We helped you read, count, work with numbers, sing, dance and play and live with others. We hope you will use all the skills you learned here, for your good and for the good of the people and practice the virtues that you were taught here.”
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 33 graduates sang the song “Top of the World”, originally by the pop group, ‘The Carpenters’. Chief guest Ms Spoorthi Hegde 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, Ms Hegde 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. Time equals love. You cannot say you love someone yet don’t make time for them. To give your child/children identity. Children who spend adequate time with their parents have a firm identity. To monitor their growth and give leadership.To identify their skills and talent in order to grow them. To foster better communication. Time spent together makes your child/children comfortable with you making it easier to open up to you. To show love through touch. A hug, a gentle rub on the back; children feel loved when touched. To give them sweet memories. 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”.
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 inn the world, so let’s look forward that these kids will become better human beings when they grow up”.
Quoting the proverb which read: “Train up a child in the way he should go, and [or even] when he is old he will not depart from it” (Proverbs 22:6), 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. The proverb promises that a young adult 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 three 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”
While concluding his speech, the Rector asked the kid graduates what are the four magic words that they have learned at SAGS, and they all said, “Thank You; Please; Sorry; and Excuse Me- and they all got complimented by the Rector for their answers. It was also time to express their gratitude and appreciation of their experiences during their two years tenure at SAGS which was lovably delivered by Kindergarten students-Miss Saanadhiya, Master Ahad Abdul Gafoor and Miss Nadine Rego, who thanked their principal and their two teachers for nurturing them . Parents Roshan Saldanha on behalf of his son Rohan; and Ms Zulaika Shamin on behalf of her son Elan Ismail, thanked SAGS for the best early education provided to their children, and complimented SAGS as the best KG school in town.
The vote of thanks was proposed by Ms Daneshwari H , and graduation ceremony was professionally and systematically compered by Ms Sangeetha Sequeira- Student Councillor at SAGS. In conclusion, while being a part of this graduation ceremony and also enjoying the ceremony, all I can say is that “Life is not just about learning to read and write. They are important, but just as important is love and friendship. This school places great emphasis on being part of the community. This is a lifelong skill which will help them to flourish. It may seem slightly old fashioned but a sense of community to me is very important to the future of our nation and our children”.
So I would like to extend my thanks to the two special teachers namely Ms Reshma Pereira and Ms Daneshwari Hagargi for the love they have for the children which shines through in their results and also thank all the parents who have willingly given their time towards their children. Not to forget, SAGS Principal Ms Grace Noronha who has been the inspiration and motivational force behind the success of the students and the school. These students have strong foundations and by looking at the smartness of these KG kids I can say that the teachers have given the children a great start in life. They have learned many priceless lessons. Take on challenges, be loving, love learning, be part of the community, laugh and be all you can be.
After all, 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 graduates Kid Graduates!