Donbosco Varadarajanpet

INAUGURATION OF THE NEW ACADEMIC YEAR
The new academic year 2023 - 2024 was solemnly inaugurated on 12 June 2023. The students and  staff were warmly welcomed by Fr. Francis Gamaliyel sdb, Rector and Correspondent and by Fr.Sebastian Jacob sdb, Headmaster. Students were all enthusiastic to begin the new academic year.They were motivated to focus on their studies right at the start of the year. The staff council meeting was also held in view to plan ahead the different activities and programmes, especially with
the special thrust to closely follow up, train and accompany the slow learners.

ANNUAL FEAST OF MARY HELP OF CHRISTIANS
The annual feast of Mary Help of Christians was celebrated on 24 June 2023. The celebration started with the prayerful rosary service and cart procession at 05.30pm followed by solemn concelebrated Holy Eucharist officiated by his Lordship Most. Rev. Dr. F. Anthonysamy D.D, Bishop of Kumbakonam. A good number of priests and religious from the Jayankondam vicariate along with the staff, students and Catholics of the locality joined the celebration and sought the blessings of
Mary Help of Christians.

ANTI DRUG DAY
On 14 July 2023 to mark the international day of prevention of drugs, Don Bosco School along with the province department for de-addiction ‘JANANAM’ organized anti-drug day. Nearly 15 schools of the neighbourhood participated in the ant-drug day events and Inter-school competitions which stressed on the harmful effects of drugs and how children and youth should stay away from it. Fr.John Dharman sdb, Director of JANANAM along with Fr. Aswin sdb, Asst. Director made all the
arrangements to coordinate the days programme. At the end of the day prizes were distributed to the best performing individuals and teams. It was a beneficial, meaningful day for both the students and the staff.

PTA MEETING
The parents teachers association (PTA) general body meeting was held on 15 July 2023 in which large number of parents participated. Mr. Mahibalan, Indian Defence Scientist - Rtd., past pupil of our school was invited as the chief guest for the year’s first PTA meeting of the school. His autobiography, ‘eOt tplhj tha;g;Gfs; kFlk; #l;Lk;’ was released on that day. He motivated the parents to bring up their children in the right way and instil great aims in them. Fr. Francis Gamaliyel
sdb, Rector and Correspondent gave the key note address and presided over the meeting. Fr.Sebastian Jacob sdb, Headmaster also addressed the parents and gave certain reminders and instructions. He while speaking encouraged the parents to follow up the students closely at home. Election of the new PTA president and vice president was also held on the same day.

MARIAN MONTH
To create a Marian ambient and to develop filial devotion to mother Mary, imitate her in our lives, every year the house dedicates one month separately and terms it as Marian Month. The Marian month was inaugurated on 16 July 2023 a prayer service. Games, competitions, programmes also form part of this special month which develops the talents, team spirit of the students. At the same time it promotes loving devotion to Mother Mary. Competitions such as skit, singing, poem, essay
writing, dance, Marian Nite, cultural competitions and rosary services were also organized to express love for Mary our mother. Special prizes were given to the all the teams at the conclusion of the Marian month.

SPORTS DAY at DON BOSCO SCHOOL
Edifying and artistic 59th Sports day celebration was held on 21 July 2022. New innovative parades, mass drills were performed during the celebrations. It was a colourful day and it enthused the students to build a true spirit of sportsmanship. Dr. Anbuchezian, past pupil of our school, currently working as a Pediatrician at Virudhachalam hospital graced the occasion as chief guest. He gave a fitting message to the students. At the end of the sports and athletic events, medals and certificates were awarded and trophies were handed over to the winners and overall champions.

SPORTS DAY at CBSE SCHOOL
Playing sports can also help children develop their social skills and set them up for positive relationships for life. Through an event like a sports day, children get the chance to show leadership, teamwork, and communication skills as they interact with new people and face new challenges. The annual sports day of the Frans Schlooz School of Excellence was held on August 12, 2023.Miss Lincy from VII rendered the welcome address and invited everyone to the Annual sports day.
The chief guest of the day, Mr. Ramesh Babhu SI, Andimadam police station, and Fr. Maria Arockiam Kanaga were honored and felicitated with ponnadai and memento. The national, Olympic, and school flags were hoisted by the chief guts and father correspondent. The students of grades VI–IX displayed a splendid and spectacular march past. The chief guest of the day, Mr. Ramesh Babhu, Sub Inspector of Police, Andimadam, received the honor of the march past. The achievers in sports carried the Olympic torch in procession and lit the Olympic flame. The main events of the day started with a drill display by the students. The students from grades 1–5 displayed a colorful and uniformed drill display that mesmerized everyone. Following the display of the drill, various track events and games were organized for the students and parents. The students exhibited energy, teamwork, sportsmanship, and muscle power in the various events organized.Mr. Ramesh Babhu, the chief guest of the day, addressed the gathering and delivered the sports day message. He exhorted the students to put 100 percent effort into all that they do. He also advised the parents to support the initiatives of the students and boost them with positive affirmations. Fr. Maria Arockiam Kanaga, in his speech, appreciated the growth of the school and insisted on the importance of education. He also shared his own personal experience at the school. The winners
and achievers of the day were awarded medals and certificates by the chief guest and the correspondent. Mr. Benito of Grade IV delivered the vote of thanks and appreciated everyone's hard work in making the day successful and memorable. The sports day came to an end with the national Anthem.

FEAST OF ASSUMPTION AND INDEPENDENCE DAY
On August 15, 2023 the house celebrated the twin feast of the Assumption and Independence day of the nation. Rev. Fr. Gamaliyel sdb, Rector officiated the feast of Assumption holy Eucharist at Don Bosco chapel which was later followed by hoisting of the national flag at the school. Mr. G. Chinnapparaj, Indian Air Force - Rtd and past pupil of the school was honoured as the chief guest for 77 Independence Day celebration. He hoisted the national flag, received the honour from the school

NCC troupe and gave a fitting message to the gathering. The PTA president along with a few council members, school students, staff members participated in the celebration.

GOOD SAMARITAN DAY
The annual fancy fete was organized in the school campus on 19 August 2023 and was termed as ‘Good Samaritan day’. The fancy fete was mainly conducted to raise funds for the association of Salesian Coopertors of the Province. Fr. Barnabas sdb, Provincial Delegate for the Salesian Cooperators and the office bearers of the association visited the school and addressed the students in the morning assembly. Students generously contributed for the day’s event. They were in a
jubilant mood throughout the day and enjoyed playing various games and tasting the sweets, cakes and snacks prepared by the staff. There was fun, joy, cheer, laughter and family atmospheren prevailed in the campus the entire day.

GOLDEN JUBILEE PAST PUPILS MEET
On 20 August 2023, Don Bosco Past Pupils Golden Jubilee batch (1973 - 2023) returned to their alma mater after 50 years of completion of their schooling. Altogether 35 past pupils turned up for the meeting. It was a memorable day for the veterans to see one another after so many years and interact, exchange different news and views. They shared about the happy, nostalgic memories of their studies and togetherness they experienced at Don Bosco campus 50 years ago. Early hours of the day, they organized matches for the current school students and distributed prizes. They also collected good sum of money for the construction of Don Bosco past pupils resource center building. At the start of the meeting Rev. Fr. Gamaliyel sdb, Rector warmly welcomed them. Fr. Sebastian Jacob sdb, Headmaster briefed about the various initiatives and development works  undergone in the past years at the school. After the meeting, the participants left the campus with renewed vigour and joy.

COUNSELLING FOR SENIOR STUDENTS
Regular psychological counselling and guidance is offered to the higher, senior students of the school. Fr. Justin Sengol SDB together with Fr. Renigo Roy sdb from DB CARES, counselling department of the province visited the school on 30, 31 August 2023 and counseled our senior students. It was very beneficial to the students. Most of them openly confided their problems and difficulties with the counsellors and sought their guidance. Fr. Renigo Roy on 31 August 2023 also
addressed the staff of the school and motivated them to befriend and closely follow up the students with the listening ear and a compassionate heart along with their regular duty of imparting knowledge to them.

TEACHERS DAY CELEBRATION
‘Teachers affect eternity; no one can tell where their influence stops’. ‘The influence of a good teacher can never be erased’. ‘Teachers help the students to see the unseen and hear the unheard’. On 05 September 2023, Teachers Day was celebrated in the school. There was Holy Eucharist in the morning, followed by cultural programme and tea party. Students planned and executed the entire programme. They honoured and presented teachers with gifts and spoke words of praise for who and what they are. A good teacher knows how to bring out the best in the students. In the evening there was a friendly volley ball match played between the staff and the students to mark the occasion.

ZONAL AND DISTRICT LEVEL SPORTS & ATHLETE COMPETITIONS
On 13, 14 September 2023 zonal level athletic meet for the schools of Andimadam zone was held in our school grounds. Ariyalur Dt, Chief Educational officer Mrs. Vijayalakshmi was the chief guest for the programme. Nearly twenty five school athletic boys and girls participated in the different events. The events were made memorable with spectacular display of colourful flags, drill, and pyramid. The educational officers on witnessing the grand show and the systematic organising of
events congratulated the school management for hosting the events. Our school sports and athletic students participated in all the events. They were awarded with medals and certificates and they received the overall championship at the zonal level competitions and moved forward for the Ariyalur Revenue district level competitions. In football competition our school football teams won in all the three categories under 14, 17, 19 and now they will be participating in the state level
football competition. At this juncture the school management appreciates the PET teachers and the school sports players for their determination and tireless efforts and practice to achieve this honour.

NSS CAMP at NETTALAKURICHY
On 04 and 05 October 2023, NSS students of the school, nearly 30 of them camped at Nettalakurichy to do their service. They cleaned up the allotted area, planted trees and held awareness rally stressing on the importance of preserving, loving, taking care of nature and live more eco consciously. They were accompanied by Mr. Pankiras, Mr. Alexis and Mr. Parthiban. Fr. Sebastian Jacob sdb, Headmaster visited the village and motivated the students to do their annual NSS activity with sense of purpose, sacrifice and service.

DISTRIBUTION OF MERIT CERTIFICATES
On 13 October 2023 merit certificates were distributed to the studious students of Don Bosco school during the morning assembly. It was awarded to further encourage the academically best performing students of both Tamil and English mediums. Fr. Sebastian Jacob sdb, headmaster together with the assistant headmaster handed over the certificates to the students. At the same time special bridge course has been planned and initiated to train and follow up the academically slow learners.