Marilyn Dias
WADALA, NOVEMBER 28, 2011: St. Joseph's came alive with noise and excitement on the November 14, the first day of school after the Diwali break. After all, it was Children's day. The Principal, Fr. Bernard Fernandes, welcomed the staff and students in the Assembly, and wished them a joyous Children's day. It was an ideal setting too, to render aloud the speech by our Prime Minister, on the occasion of National Education Day on November 11, 2011 that highlighted the "Right to Education" program all over the country. Citing personal experiences and the life story of Maulana Azad, our Prime Minister, Mr. Manmohan Singh, called upon all students to achieve new heights by learning and being educated. 
The morning assembly was followed by a beautiful and special Prayer Service for the students of the secondary section –and later, for the primary section - in the school hall. It was organized by teachers Joanna and Cressida. Fr. Rector while addressing the gathering, encouraged the students to put in their cent percent to achieve their goals and live up to their motto – Ad Majora Natus Sum.
The Children's day celebrations carried on right through the week. Inter house lightning games for standards I to X, were very well organized during the week by Mr. Raj and his team of coaches. Our tiny tots of the KG section too joined in the fun. There was excitement in the air as the four houses of each class competed against each other. The class teachers and the other staff members were equally enthused and were there to cheer their students. Refreshments were served after the games. In keeping with the theme of going green, plastics were avoided at the time of the snacks. Paper packets specially prepared by our peons during the Diwali vacations served as an ideal replacement for the non-degradable plastics.
Our students are our light. As someone said it beautifully, 'Children are the living messages we send to a time we will not see!' Happy Children's Day.