IMMACULATA 2013 - SCHEDULE DAY 1

IMMACULATA 2013

SCHEDULE DAY 1

IMMACULATA 2013 - SCHEDULE DAY 2

IMMACULATA 2013

SCHEDULE DAY 2

150th YEAR CELEBRATIONS - FACEBOOK COMPETITION FOR IMMACULATA 2013

St. Mary's School ICSE's 150th Year Celebrations brings you its first competition. The Facebook Competition for IMMACULATA 2013. 
An exciting Interschool Cultural event organized and conceptualized completely by the students of St. Mary's is round the corner. 150th Year Celebrations' FACEBOOK PAGE gives you a chance to win FREE entry passes for this two day interschool cultural extravaganza. Just answer these ten simple questions and send in your answers with your name and batch or son's name and standard to stmarys150years.competition@gmail.com. Its as simple as that. So get going as only ten winners with the most correct answers stand to win. Let's see how much you know about your school :) (You can click on the pictures to view larger images)

QUESTIONS:

Q1.Where is this Notice exactly located at our School? 

[A] At the main entrance near the bridge & St. Anne's Church
[B] At the Main entrance near the Arch
[C] On a tree between the Basketball court & Football grounds 
[D] On the fence between the children's play area and railway yard

Q2. Where on our school's campus are these School Badges located?

[A] Outer wall of the top floor of the Senior school building & above the notice board in the Senior assembly hall

[B] Above Captains board on 1st floor & above the fish tank

[C] Above the Arch at the main entrance & above the notice board in the Senior assembly hall

[D] Outer wall of the Top floor of the Senior School building & above entrance to the auditorium

Q3. Where have these Frames been put up?

[A] Second floor Senior school building
[B] The wall opposite the auditorium entrance
[C] First floor junior school wall opposite the staircase
[D] The wall behind the canteen in the junior assembly hall

Q4. This is the commemorative plaque celebrating our School's Diamond Jubilee in 1939. Where has it been installed?

[A] The wall outside the Principal's office
[B] At the base of the main staircase
[C] In the Gym room
[D] The wall in the senior assembly hall

Q5. This is an old yet gorgeous wooden door and grill with our School's 'M' monogram. Where is it located? 

[A] The grill between the canteen and the water fountains

[B] Second floor of the senior school

[C] At the steps of the auditorium

[D] The grill near the junior school's play area

Q6. What National Award has Father Evarist Newnes won, in which year and from whom did he receive it?

[A] Padma Shri Award in 2010 from the President of India Smt. Pratibha Patil

[B] Padma Bhushan Award in 2008 from the President of India Smt. Pratibha Patil

[C] National Education award in 2007 from ASSOCHAM President Mr. Venugopal Dhoot

[D] National Award for Teachers in 2004 from the President Abdul Kalam

Q7. How many trees are there in the playing grounds? 

(NOTE: Only the ones on the Cricket Ground, Basketball Court & Football Ground. Trees behind the shed have to be counted but not the ones in the railway yard and children's play area)

[A] 20          [B] 14          [C] 18          [D] 9

Q8. What is the seating capacity of our School's Auditorium?

[A] 900     [B] 1000     [C] 1200     [D] 800

Q9. Our Grey Stone building the first from the Railway yard was the first building built to house the school on the current campus. Which year was it built?

[A] 1903     [B] 1864     [C] 1865     [D] 1895

Q10. How many steps of the main staircase lead from Ground Floor to the first floor?

[A] 30          [B] 32         [C] 26          [D] 24 

Please read the Rules and Regulations carefully before submitting your answers. The Judges decision will be final and binding.

IMMACULATA FACEBOOK COMPETITION FOR ALUMNI & MARIAN PARENTS - RULES AND REGULATIONS

ST. MARY’S SCHOOL ICSE - 150th YEAR CELEBRATIONS

RULES & REGULATIONS FOR FACEBOOK COMPETITION FOR IMMACULATA 2013:

1. Competition is open only for Alumni, Ex-students and Parents of St. Mary’s students.

2. The Competition shall stay open from 12:00 pm June 23, 2013 to 11:59pm June 27, 2013.

3. Entries can be submitted in the following method ONLY:

a. Send us an email to stmarys150years.competition@gmail.com. Please write down your Name, Year of Graduation (if an Alumni), Name and standard & name of your son (if you are a Marian Parent) after your answers. Answers sent in without Names will be not be considered.

b. Please DO NOT POST Answers on the Facebook Page.

If anyone is found to posting answers on the main timeline will get disqualified and their post with answers shall be deleted.

3. TEN People with the highest right answers shall be declared winners. In case of a tie, the judges panel shall decide the winners by lottery.

4. The winners shall be announced on June 28, 2013.

5. The Judges decision will be final.

6. Only ONE entry per person. People who make multiple entries will get disqualified automatically.

7. The winners can collect their passes in the following manner:

a. They have to bring along a valid photo id and collect their passes at the registration counter from the Security Team at IMMACULATA 2013 on any ONE of the days of IMMACULATA 2013. (June 29 or 30, 2013)

8. If any of the winners is found causing any sort of mischief, problems etc., at the Immaculata 2013 event, they shall be immediately escorted out of the venue and their pass shall be confiscated.

9. Liking our 150th Year Celebrations Facebook page is not compulsory to enter the competition but we would highly appreciate if all entrants Liked our page.

Immaculata 2013

As we approach the 150th year of our glorious institution, St.Mary’s School (ICSE) proudly presents an interschool cultural extravaganza, IMMACULATA 2013.

This year, IMMACULATA is spread over two days on June 29th & 30th, 2013. IMMAULATA includes a variety of interesting individual events, under each of the categories like Fine Arts, Sports Centre, Literary, Cultural and Performing Arts. Every event includes an enjoyable, interesting and more than anything a unique twist which assures a thrilling experience for every individual taking part. Each event is judged by known personalities from related field. For example, last year, we had Mr. Harsha Bhogle to judge our IPL (Mock Cricket Bidding) event under the Sporting Section last year. This year amongst other celebrities, noted film personality, Mr. Boman Irani (who also happens to be an ex-student of St. Mary's School ICSE) is slated to make an appearance during the course of the two day event. All the individual events are held within the school's premises which has two large playing fileds, various large classrooms and even a 800+ seater auditorium. This year there are 32 individual events organized in all, details of which are given below. There is a food court and games stalls section as well.

Last year we had over 1800 visitors of which 1600 participant students from 14 schools. The event this year will expect an audience of over 2000 students, teachers and parents (only of participants) as over 20 of Mumbai's top schools have confirmed participation.

At IMMACULATA 2013 we will be having the following sections & events:

[A] Performing Arts

1. Band Event
2. Dance
3. Mimicry
4. Parody of songs
5. Fashion Show

[B] Fine Arts

1. Face Painting
2. UV Light Painting
3. Pumpkin Carving
4. Table setting for a date
5. Monster House Designing
6. Monster Cartooning

[C] Literary Arts

1. Mock Football Bidding
2. Quiz
3. Literary Trio (Poetry Writing, Video Clipping and Treasure Hunt)
4. Just A Minute
5. Debates

[D] Sports Centre

1. Football
2. Task Master (Tele-Games)
3. Table Tennis and Badminton
4. Sports Quiz
5. Dream 4 Glory(Handball, Basketball, Cricket and Football)

[E] Out Of The Box

1. Eating Competition
2. Photography
3. Whose Line Is It Anyway?
4. Cartoon Strip Making

[F] Capture The Future

1. Political Discussion
2. Street Play
3. Cooking
4. Dream City Designing
5. Trampoline Dance

[G] Crossover

1. Script Writing
2. Prop Making
3. Dramatics
IMMACULATA is an event of the students, by the students, for the students!

- By Upamanyu Ghose aka Tito
        Chairperson
        Immaculata Organising Committee 2013

Invitation for the Memorial Service of Miss Gloria de Souza Ex-teacher of St. Mary's School ICSE

Dear Ex-students &  Alumni, 

This is to inform you about, Ms. Gloria de Souza one of our beloved teachers, and someone who always stood tall among the teaching fraternity.....passing away on April 3, 2013 just 2 days prior to her 76th Birthday. 

She was the Founder Director of "Parisar Asha" an NGO which she started

more than 28 years ago..... received many accolades both National and International and the first to be recognised as a pioneer and forerunner in the field of bringing Environmental Studies to our Schools in Mumbai and across the country. Even BMC, was quick to recognise her remarkable contribution in the field of Environmental Studies and introduced it and made it a compulsory subject in the curriculum of BMC Schools in Mumbai.  She laboured tirelessly...travelling the length and breadth of India....walking the extra mile with a smile and making a real difference in the arena of Primary and Secondary education in our country.  I for one, can go on and on about Miss Gloria, being one  of the beneficiaries of her tutelage at St. Mary's(ISC) ....All Marians who have passed through the portals of our beloved Alma Mater will stand and bear testimony to her awesome qualities of head and heart....being an institution in her own way,  par excellence!

Memorial Function Details: 

Day, Date& Time: Monday 10th June from 6 pm to 8 pm 

Venue: Manik Sabhagriha Auditorium, Opp Lilavati Hosp., Bandra

             Reclamation, Bandra (W), Mumbai 400 050.  

I am enclosing and attaching an invitation to all those who may be interested in coming. 

Kindly do not forget to send in your RSVP enable arrangements to be made in advance. You may also drop me a mail accordingly or text me on 98925 92458 not forgetting to sign off with your name for easy recognition.

Looking forward to seeing you all there!

Best,

Eugene Peres

h/p : 9892592458

IMMACULATA - When Boys Became Men - Part 2

June 2012

School starts.  In 4 weeks it will be D-Day.  14 schools have confirmed participation.  1,400 students are expected over two days.  Contingent leaders (teachers and students) of each school are invited.  They are briefed about the format, events and the rules.  Section heads are introduced.  Questions answered.  They are informed that St. Mary’s will not participate.  The contingent leaders wonder if the suited boys on stage will be able to pull off this endeavour.

Parents were the last group to join the effort – more out of shame of not having put in any effort while the boys were working their guts out.  They joined the school in providing necessary support in fundraising, support logistics, PR and infrastructure.

Two weeks prior to Immaculata the OC is eating, talking, breathing and sleeping (if at all) Immaculata.  The creative team’s juices are flowing.  The coordinators hold daily meetings with OC.  PTA and teachers are assigned duties and run around to ensure the necessary infrastructure is in place.

In the last week classes are conducted only in name.  External tuitions are cancelled.  OC and several volunteers work well past midnight.  They are high on adrenaline - excited but anxious.  Coordinators stay till the last boy leaves. 

T-1

The school is a beehive of activity.  Two weeks ago, boys from 6^th standard onwards volunteered in droves.  Over 300 of them volunteered.  They wanted to contribute towards Immaculata in someway.  There is something called the Marian spirit.  These were the days that one saw it in action.  Boys woke up early without any parent prodding despite having slept very late.  They were fresh and eager to rush to school.  At home they don’t bother about the house decoration – in school they are decking up the classrooms, hallways, passages and assembly halls.  At home they won’t climb up to the loft – in school they got onto to the ladders to hang the banners.  At home they would throw things around – in school they were picking up all the litter.  At home they would not dust and clean – in school they were sweeping the courts, assembly hall and dusting the classrooms.  At home they refuse to eat some food – in school they ate whatever the school served them.   At home they would not help – in school they were looking at any opportunity to help.  Why?  They wanted to belong.  They wanted to be part of something big.  They wanted to ensure Immaculata was a success.  But most important of all they wanted their school to be the talk of the town. 

Learnings:

●     Professional approach to daily briefing.

●     Anxiety is channelled creatively and positively.

●     Human Resource departments spend crores of Rupees trying build loyalty and motivate their employees.  They would give an arm and a leg for the dedication the volunteers displayed. 

30^th June and 1^st July 2012 (D-Days)

6:45am  - 40 boys are in school eager to get the show off the ground.

They clear the litter.  Move over 20 tables from the senior assembly hall to another part of the school. Sweep the basketball courts and the two assembly halls.

7:30am  - 300+ boys are nervous, fidgety and anxious but eager to flag off Immaculata.

7:45am  - first school arrives.  Like in a big game the nerves of the OC show through.  Lack of coordination, boys are not in the right place and chaos in getting the schools processed.  Walkie talkies are buzzing.  Relevant section heads are running helter skelter trying to get personnel in place. 

9:30am  - Opening Ceremony.  Participants are still trickling in.  This was unexpected which caused coordination problems. 

10:30am  - Half an hour behind schedule, first events start.  OC’s nerves settle down.  Months of preparation and attention to detail pays off.  Events move like clockwork.

6:30pm  - First day’s events finish 1 ½ hours ahead of schedule.

Next day with higher confidence and applying the learnings of first day things move a lot smoother.  There is better coordination.  Events run well.  Surprise events are a hit.  The Grand Finale of dance is a stupendous success.  Between the dance acts, students danced in the auditorium.  The compere gets the audience to participate in glowing mobile phone dance.  He orchestrates a dance off between arch rivals Campion and St. Mary’s.  The roar reverberates through the auditorium.  After the ramp walk and awards ceremony the tired boys lingered on having an after glow of a woman who has just delivered her first baby – the young men have successfully organised their first major event for the school. 

As one went around the school during the two days one could not fail to notice the enthusiasm.  The logistics team, having a grandstand view of the grounds from the lab on the first floor, was hunting for work.  They wanted to be involved, they wanted to do things.  Boys queued up to be despatched to some part of the school.

Initially professional security and parents are assigned primary security duties in the auditorium.  But seeing excellent entry and crowd control by the security boys and volunteers under the guidance of couple of teachers, adult support was withdrawn. 

At the Gym and three event floors there were no parents or teachers.  The event supervision was controlled by event and section heads ably assisted by volunteers – be it registration, providing materials, time management or interpreting rules.  Floor management and hallways was by volunteers and student security.  Whenever one entered these rooms there would be pin drop silence – even for “fun” events like t-shirt painting.  The boys had admirably repaid the faith and confidence placed in them by the school.

At the end of first day, after first couple of hours of nerves, things had gone fairly smoothly.    There was lot of positive feedback and intuition about the progress of Immaculata.  The Principal, teacher coordinators and student chairperson gave a pep talk to all the volunteers.  The student chairperson spoke the language of the boys before pepping them up, he pointed out that the St. Mary’s boys in the auditorium had rumbled and foot stomped during Campion’s performance – to distract them.  He informed them that if they wanted the participants to listen to the directions of event heads, security or volunteers they must first behave properly – practise what you preach.  He echoed the sentiment that was heard from a security boy looking after the entry into the Indian Village (Gym).

After the volunteers departed the Principal met with the teacher coordinators and later the OC.  They had an honest review of the first day.   But what transpired next was an eye opener.   For the next 1 ½ hours the OC along with the teacher coordinator were brutally honest, scathing, open and self critical about their first day’s efforts.  Section heads took responsibility for the failures – no excuses.  Volunteers who did not perform were identified and relieved of their duties – irrespective of the popularity or closeness.  All concerned took the criticisms in the right spirit.  Maybe it is their childhood innocence, maybe it is their loyalty to school or maybe it is their commitment to Immaculata but one would never see this candor in the corporate world where egos, politics and seniority are order of the day.

Sure there were shirkers, sure there was initial chaos, sure there was some mismanagement, sure some events could have been better executed but 20 odd OC heads and assistants with walkie talkies would rush in to resolve the issues as best as they could. 

Learnings:

●     Volunteers were the backbone of the success on the day.  Possibly the best decision the GC took was not participating.  Had they participated volunteer numbers would have been barely 10% - 15% of 325 as the rest would have busy participating. 

●     The sense of belonging to the school that has been generated is immeasurable.

●     The boys demonstrated great responsibility and ownership in the tasks assigned to them. 

●     Childhood innocence is not lost to these “men”.  Practising what they preach would ensure people listen to you.

●     Brutal self critical post mortem showed their maturity.

●     Ethics are not compromised.

●     Walkie talkie strutting suited boys were more professional than their jean clad parents.

Accolades

●     An event for the kids, of the kids, by the boys of St. Mary’s.  

●     “I have been involved in organising Malhar.  I am really impressed with your organisation – especially when you consider this is your first year.”

(A participating school teacher (Malhar is one of Mumbai’s prestigious inter-college cultural competition organised by the students of St. Xaviers College, Dhobi Talao)

●     “I heard that your event was a grand success and it was all organised and managed by your boys.  Many congratulations.”

(Head of a suburban school alumni which organises a similar event in their school)

Postscript

Today’s “modern” educationists TALK about learning by doing, hands on, creative, freedom to express and research based.  For decades Jesuits have been delivering just that in their endeavour to prepare confident well rounded human beings who can stand on their own as adults.  Immaculata provided that platform and demonstrated just that.

The management schools, consultancies and team builders put adults through “case studies” on motivation, team building, leadership, experiential learning, organisation, planning, control, to anticipate and manage risk, control, take decisions and solve problems.   Immaculata has exposed these adolescents to all this and more as they went through the whole lifecycle from concept to delivery of a product - Immaculata.

Boys (sorry young men) at this tender age you achieved, done, experienced, learnt, been part of, have been exposed to and pulled off something that many of us parents have still not done so in our lifetime.  You started the journey as boys but in ten months you have matured into young men.  We are confident that you will not rest on your laurels but use the learnings to improve next year.

Parents we underestimated the ability, maturity and preparedness of our boys – they have pulled off an event on the scale bigger than a big fat Indian wedding and that too far better than we adults can.  Parents you can walk around with heads held high that your boys will do you proud and will be a success in whatever field they choose. 

Our decision to enrol our children in St. Mary’s School (ICSE), Mazgaon – Priceless.

- By Janak Sheth (Parent of Marians & 150 Year Celebrations Committee Member)

IMMACULATA - When Boys Became Men - Part 1

The year is 2012, the month June, the place St. Mary’s High School (ICSE), Mazagaon, the occasion Immaculata - an interschool cultural competition.  An event of this type was hosted for the first time in the school’s 147 year history.  This is a story of how, in 10 months 14 and 15 year old boys were transformed into men.

August 2011

One day, a couple of 15 year old boys (captains) were bunking class.  They chanced upon pamphlets and brochures of several interschool competitions.  They wondered – “why does our school not hold such an event?”  This prompted them to call a student governing council (GC) meeting (Captains and Vice Captains).  The GC is unanimous in its decision – “we should hold such an event.....but how”.  They are vexed by two major questions.  How can we convince the school to hold such an event and what should the format be?

During the midterm break the GC embarks on a secret mission to answer these questions.  Secrecy was so high that none of their friends knew what the council is doing.  Many parents are in the dark – the boys give excuse of going out with friends, attend extra classes or tuitions – for they fear their parents might discourage them as it could impact them academically.

The GC took a two pronged approach.  They met older and recent alumni, talked to event managers to share experiences of similar events of other schools.  They learn about police and fire approvals, need for walkie talkies, importance of good organisation, how to work within their limitations, consider costs, etc.  However, all the efforts would be futile if they could not sell the concept to the school.  To this end the council would meet for hours discussing, debating, arguing and fighting over various points that would go into the concept dossier. 

Learnings: 

●     Reach out to people who know more then them

●     Find facts

●     Negotiate

●     Compromise

●     Build consensus

●     Work as a team

●     Secrecy – a quality many companies would vie for.

September 2011

It was over 6 weeks since the brain wave.  A time had come to present their idea to the Principal.  On the appointed day, things did not look good as there were several disciplinary issues in the school.  Father (Principal) was furious.  The council was convinced that their idea would be shot down.  With a heavy heart they presented and discussed the concept paper.  The council walked out of the office with a dazed expression but with quiet joy and satisfaction, for Father had, in-principle (no pun intended)  accepted their idea.  They had underestimated Father’s professionalism of keeping issues distinct.

What made the Principal buy in?  Apart from Father liking the idea to hold such an event he was impressed with the clear motives and objectives set out by the boys.

1. In a few years the school would celebrate its 150^th year.  They wanted to have a prestigious annual event in the Mumbai school calendar attributed to St. Mary’s.  To achieve that in the 150^th year they would have to start now.
2. In order to sustain the event (i.e. share knowledge, learnings, experience, mistakes etc.) they would have a 3 tier structure.  Outgoing Captains and 10^th would lead.  Current Captains and 10^th would assist (core Organising Committee – OC) and current vice captains and 9^th would help out.  It would provide the necessary continuity and backup.
3. Other similar interschool competitions are either organised by the school or the parents or the Alumni.  Here the boys wanted to organise it themselves albeit with the school’s support.
4. Unlike other schools, St. Mary’s would ONLY organise BUT NOT participate in the event.  Decision, after heated arguments, was unanimous.  Their rationale was clear.  From their collective experience of any such competition they had participated in, the host school would invariably be in top 3.  Host school would be mired by cheating allegations.  In order to avoid any muck being thrown on St. Mary’s they decided on this option. 

Learnings: 

●     Clear vision, focus and objective.

●     In a world which increasingly thinks in a transitory manner for immediate gratification these boys thought of a long term sustainable event.  What made them think this way?  One can find many reasons – but none as powerful as their Maturity. 

●     It was their idea for which they willing to take the ownership. 

●     They had a pulse of their age group (target audience).  They wanted an unsullied image of the school.  Marketing departments would die to have these insightful guys.

●     Visualise, conceptualise, innovate and sell your idea to the organisation.

One can only admire the mature thinking of these boys.

October/November 2011

Galvanised by the positive response, the boys started their transition to manhood.  They went about fleshing out the skeleton.  They ideated on the event sections.  Sections finalised were Performing Arts, Sports Centre, Fine Arts, Indian Village, Literary Arts and added a Surprise Section.  They agreed upon who should be section heads and their deputies.  Each section short listed the events and outlined the formats.  Clashes with other sections were resolved.  Doubts cleared.  Suggestions were given and accepted.  Organising committee took shape.

However, there was an agonising wait as Father deliberated on the idea and discussed it with his staff.  The GC was only convinced when Father made the formal announcement in the school assembly.  It was finally happening.  No more secrets to be kept from siblings, parents and friends.

As the 10^th standard boys broke off to prepare for prelims and boards the 9^th standard boys took over.  They added meat to the events, outlined requirements and rules.  When the 9^th standard boys went in for their final exams the 10^th standard boys marched on. 

Learnings: 

●     One needs patience for a new innovative idea to be accepted.

●     The structure was working well.

April/May 2012

During the final exams, boys were frantic.  The date for Immaculata was fluctuating.   Schools needed to be invited.  There was so much work and so little time.  As soon as the 9th exams were over the coordinators pushed them hard to prepare an outline brochure, list of sections and events.  The coordinators prepared invitation letters for schools.  The Captains and Vice Captains went in pairs to meet the principals of over 25 schools.  Dress code was suit not school uniform.  Why? To portray professionalism.  

A suburban school they visited, the Principal asked them if they had come with a teacher.  They answered no.  Parent – no.  Car and driver – no.  She was pleasantly surprised to learn that they had found their way to school by using taxi and rickshaw.  She fed them, gave gifts and stated that she would mention their maturity in her school assembly.

Support sections like creative team, logistics, security, hospitality and school coordination were added.  Their leaders and assistants identified.  Event heads were identified based on merit, ability, interest and suitability - not friendship.  The Organising Committee (OC) was ready.  Apart from inviting schools the boys had to work on the full brochure, event rules, timing, scheduling, posters, etc. 

Amidst all this they had to start thinking about funding the event.  They had to find sponsors, advertisers and rent stalls.  Suited and armed with a brochure they approached several companies – but success eluded them.  Come June, the school and PTA took over the funding responsibility. 

After the exams ended in April and upto middle of May the OC spent all its spare time in school.  The teacher coordinators stood shoulder to shoulder with them.  Matching times the boys kept.  Adopting the Jesuist education credo, the coordinators guided the OC, encouraged them, motivated them, allowed them to make mistakes, made them think, shared how adults would work and when required stepped in to close an issue or take over the responsibility.

Learnings: 

●     For an event of this scale lot of things need to be planned to the minutest detail. 

●     Time pressure motivated them to work quickly and efficiently.

●     Realisation that for a professional approach, dress code is important.
●     Money is not easy to come by.  Most of the OC boys never had to worry about their regular school, travel or food expenses as parents would take care of their needs.  This was the first exposure of harsh realities of accessing money.  A lesson learnt early in life.

●     They learnt about failure and had to deal with it.

●     Recognising the need of support services and setting them up.  Hospitality for judges and principals.  Logistics!! Wow what foresight.

●     Merit and ability based selection of event heads – not friendship.  Professionalism personified.

●     Great “managerial”, physical and moral support from the coordinators.

Continued in Part - 2

- By Janak Sheth (Parent of Marians & 150 Year Celebrations Committee Member)