Dear Teachers, Parents, Students, and Well-wishers,

Greetings from Holy Cross School Agartala!

Welcome to read the second issue of the digital newsletter, popularly known as ‘Satgamaya’. 

A professor enters the classroom with half a glass of water. The students expect the old common question, “Is it half empty or half full?” But he asks them, “How heavy is this glass of water?” The answers ranged from 7 oz. To 25 oz. The professor replies, “The actual weight of the glass with water doesn’t matter, but how long you hold it matters.”

The NIPUN-Bharat program was launched in 2021 to achieve universal literacy and numeracy for children up to 3 Classes by 2026-27. Further, the National Education Policy 2020 [NEP] has incorporated Foundational Literacy and Numeracy [FLN]. It aims to help children build on their language and literacy skills and stimulate their power of imagination. Besides, engaging in creative activities can also help children develop fine motor skills and problem-solving strategies.

Holy Cross Family has been one of the quickest to adopt newer and creative learning environments because it has always believed in comprehensive learning. We have always worked towards providing an apt platform for the students to materialise their creative ideas besides the academic curriculum. To give it a start, various home and classroom activities have been designed to achieve the same.

The primary function of a bulletin board is to turn the bare walls of the school into decorative and engaging one. Bulletin boards invite students to engage, respond, play and learn in a variety of ways. We had a bulletin board presentation in school. The topic of the presentation was “Grandparents our - Grand Angels." This was a topic close to our heart as we all love our grandparents. Two days before the presentation, the captains of eight houses announced the topic among the students and requested them to bring writings, picture cuttings and poems on the topic. The students of different classes were excited to hear the topic. On the day of the presentation the house captains collected the write ups and pictures from the students. Then a group of students from each house decorated their boards. Duration of 3 periods after tiffin break was allotted to them. Through articles, poems and drawings the students demonstrated their love for their grandparents which showed their special bonding with them. It was a fun filled experience for the participants and all other students.

Holy Cross School celebrated the International Yoga Day at the school campus on 21st June 2023 keeping in mind the theme “Yoga for Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” i.e. ‘Yoga for the welfare of all One family - One Future. The students of classes 5-8 demonstrated various asanas like Surya Namaskar, Pranayama which would help to improve their physical, mental and spiritual health. All students participated in this event with great eagerness and enthusiasm Our Principal Fr. Jilson Tom CSC spoke about the need to practice yoga regularly. He also stressed upon the positive changes yoga could bring in the lifestyle of people thus improving their well being. The celebration was a testament to the profound impact of yoga, highlighting the boundless possibilities.

‘The reward for work well done is the opportunity to do more.’

The Class XI inauguration was an important event that symbolised the students’ progression to a higher grade. It took place on June 23, 2023. The programme was initiated with the lighting of the ceremonial lamp, a solemn moment that reminded students of their responsibility to grow intellectually and morally during school. Our Respected Principal, Fr. Jilson Tom CSC, welcomed the gathering. Honourable Chief Guest Shri Mithun Das, Deputy Director of Secondary Education, Tripura Govt, Guest of Honor Fr. Simon Fernandes CSC, Chairman of Holy Cross Educational Foundation, and Fr. George Jacob CSC, Secretary of Holy Cross Educational Foundation, North-East, spoke on the occasion uplifting the spirit of students and emphasizing well-rounded development. The event was elated through a prayer dance and other cultural expressions performed by our students. After the inauguration, Fr. Jilson conducted an orientation program, introducing them to CISCE, ISC and Holy Cross Family at Agartala.

The foundation day of the Little Flowers of Bethany was celebrated on 14th July 2023 coupled up with the exceptional achievement of our respected Principal Rev. Fr Jilson Tom CSC as the Vice President ASISC. 

The celebration started with a warm welcoming to our dear sisters and fathers with lots of exuberance, joy and gratitude. In a meaningful way our sisters were thanked with bouquets, memento and lighting of the lamps with pure devotion and contemplation on the almighty God. Words of gratitude were expressed by the Principal for the outstanding dedication, contributions, guidance and commitment towards our school. The students of class 8 with the help of their class teachers organised a scintillating program as a sign of their gratefulness to all the ‘Little Flower of Bethany sisters’ on behalf of the entire fraternity of the Institution. Sr Sunitha BS the headmistress of the school expressed her heartfelt gratitude for the impressive performances of the students and gave a message call on everyone to be grateful to God. 

When we heal the Earth,

         We heal ourselves.

                                  ~ David W. Orr

Vanmahotsava also known as Forest Day is an annual tree-planting festival celebrated in India during the month of July. During this time, people come together to plant trees and encourage as well as educate others about the importance of preserving our natural resources.

With the motive to spread awareness and to encourage the movement HCSA also celebrated as every year, this very auspicious occasion on 28th of July with an array of debate on the topic "Development hampers sustainability." This event was organised by the students of class 7 and we began it in our assembly square from 12:30 pm as having the programme set for 30 mins approximately. 

Holy Cross Educational Foundation has always been keen on honing the skills of teachers through regular seminars. With the introduction of the National Education Policy, there will be a remarkable change in the traditional teaching method. National Education Policy expects teachers to stimulate the creativity and innovation of the students. Subject-wise seminars were conducted for the teachers. I had the opportunity to attend the seminars, one for the science faculty conducted by Mr. Jyoti Paruck and the other for the mathematics faculty under the guidance of Mr. Sudhir Singhal. In the seminar for the science faculty emphasis was on teaching through experiments in science. The experiments shown by Mr Paruck were simple and innovative. Mr Singhal, on the other hand, introduced us to various games designed for students to create interest in mathematics. The seminars aimed at increasing the students' retention power and improving the students' attitude in acquiring knowledge. I am grateful to Holy Cross for these seminars, which helped to return to my classroom teaching with renewed zeal and enthusiasm. 

India’s 77th Independence Day was celebrated with great pomp and show at Holy Cross School Campus on 15th August 2023. Shri. Biswajit Gupta, Former Director of SCERT and Former Principal of Ramthakur College, hoisted the national flag and accepted the salute Fr. Simon Fernandes, CSC, President of Holy Cross Educational Foundation, Northeast India, was our honoured guest. A tribute was offered to our National Leaders and then a tableau was flagged off. 

To usher in and as part of the “Azadi Ka Amrit Mahostav” initiative to indoctrinate patriotism and to create cognisance of India’s Independence among the present generation, the school began the celebrations and Inter-House competitions on August 01, 2023. There were Rangoli, Face-painting, Character Dramatization, Poster Making, Extempore and other contests, to name a few. The paintings of many brave freedom fighters and our national symbols were displayed around the school. The school campus was decorated with flowers, flags and posters, further building the tempo. There was patriotism to be seen galore in every contender.

Our lovely, vibrant, diverse and incredible India has celebrated its 77th Independence Day on 15th August, 2023. To celebrate this achievement, holy cross school, Agartala showed a lot of enthusiasm.

Let us look into, how our school celebrated this Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav. During the Independence week, our school conducted various competitions among the eight houses. There were many competitions for students of each class. Classes 9 to 12, had competitions like debate, PowerPoint presentation and many more. Debate is one of the most interesting competition because we witness a clash of words and obviously a fierce battle of words between the participants was witnessed among which some came out victorious.

Like other years, this year also we were privileged to get an invitation for sending our students for participating in the cultural programme that was held on 15th August 2023 in connection with the observance of 77th Independence Day at Mohanpur Higher Secondary School Ground.

A group of our school students, tomorrow’s Samaritans performed in a very bright and colourful way. The enthusiasm shown by our students added an element of charm and joy to the programme. The patriotic dance that was performed by them, fostered the sense of patriotism and pride. It provided an opportunity for students to express their love for the country through their mind blowing performance.

A teacher is a multitasking educational rockstar who lives to inspire and love to encourage. Yes, they are Kind of a big deal. 

Teachers' Day, commemorating the birth anniversary of Dr. Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan holds a very special place in the hearts of students and teachers alike. It has always been celebrated with much love and joy in Holy Cross School, Agartala and this year was no exception.

It is traditionally a day awaited most breathlessly by the seniormost class of the school as this is a day that is usually, entirely planned and executed by them, albeit with a little help and support by others. This year too, like other years, the students dove into a frenzy of planning almost a week before the D-Day. They put their heart and souls into organising the program for their respected and beloved teachers. On the day itself, the teachers turned out in gorgeous attires feeling like stars. There was grand entry planned for them.

LIFE EXAMPLE NEVER CONCEAL ADMIRATION

This year is remarkable for the Congregation of Holy Cross as it marks the 150th anniversary of the eternal entry of their Founder, Blessed Antony Moreau. We have discovered his unwavering commitment and dedication towards God and his thirst to make the congregation known far and wide. 

Marking the anniversary coupled with the congregational feast, the Holy Cross School community honoured the priests serving the institution on September 14, 2023. Fr. Jilson Tom CSC, the principal, and Fr. Agi Paul, the vice principal, were brought to the venue in a procession as the students held the flags of countries where Blessed Moreau first sent missionaries, namely, France, Canada, the USA, Italy, and Algeria.

On Sept 2023, we the students of Class-X batch 2023-2024 went to a very remote village named Laxmilunga as part of moral science project. Accompanied by our Principal Fr. Jilson Tom, CSC and Class teachers, we reached the village by school bus. At first we arranged the baskets that we were going to give to 50 families of that village. Each basket contained a mosquito net a bedsheet and two packets of biscuits. The villagers were very happy to see us all.

As an educator, it is rewarding to witness the growth and development of our students beyond the confines of the classroom. I am glad to jot down a few reflections because I had the privilege to accompany a group of enthusiastic students. The Holy Cross School Agartala sophomores, ICSE 2023 Class, uniquely and successfully executed the concept of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam - One Earth, One Family and One Future - the theme of G 20, on 8 September 2023.

Moral science teaches the values of unity cooperation and the idea to treat everyone with kindness and empathy and fosters a sense of responsibility towards the less fortunate members of the society.  It inspires us not only to join hands but also to open them for others. For this noble purpose, the students were taken to Lakhilunga Tea Garden, Tripura. The students stepped out of their comfort zones and mingled with diverse communities below the poverty line.