Xaviers Hazaribag Times

April 2012

Dear Xaverians and Friends, This newsletter was introduced in our Diamond Jubilee Year. After the first two issues, we were too busy with the preparations for the Jubilee concluding events. So we failed to publish the Jan 2012 issue. We have also missed the date for the publication of the April 2012 number. With this longer bulletin we make amends before the school closes for the summer vacation. A brief account of the Jubilee celebration and an obituary of Fr. Michael Eather, our former Principal, who passed away on Feb 28 are the special items in this edition. Thank you for your patience and understanding. Warm regards. in veritate et caritate Fr. P. J. James, S.J.

Competitions
After Puja Vacation (Oct 3-8) several competitions were held in the school. Painting and Spelling for Junior School and General Knowledge Quiz for Middle School were intra school events. Diamond Jubilee Year special events for the month were the two interschool quiz competitions for Middle and High School Students. St. Xavier's emerged victorious in both these events.

Parwaz
The School's biennial multi-dimensional exhibition, christened Parwaz: the Flight of Creativity had a greater significance in the Jubilee Year. The entire school family was completely engaged in both the preparation and performance. The energy level and the enthusiasm visible on the campus were indeed remarkable. The event was inaugurated on November 11 by Mr. Rajiv Ranjan Kumar, D.I.G., CRPF. Dr. Mukund Varier, Principal Scientist at theCentral Rain-fed Rice Research Station was the guest speaker at the event. The venue of the exhibition included the school hall, the ground floor of the Junior School and the top football field. A special section of the exhibition, captioned The Journey of St. Xavier's. was dedicated to showcasing the school's history and recalling some precious memories, The exhibition attracted a large number of parents, dignitaries from the town and students and teachers of other schools. The visitors admired not only the creativity of the students, but the organisational acumen of the faculty and staff.

Tournaments
Soon after Deepawali two tournaments were hosted simultaneously. In the Inter Jesuit School Basketball Tournament 12 Jharkhand teams participated. St. Xavier's, Doranda, took the championship. Nine local school teams took part in the Volleyball Tournament, which was won by Kendriya Vidyalaya, B.S.F Camp, Meru. The champion girls' team was Mount Carmel School, Hazaribag. These special Diamond Jubilee tournaments were very well organised and the matches were indeed top class.

Special Events for Junior School

Children's day was celebrated on November 14. It was very special for the Junior School which had a fancy dress competition. Later in the month theJunior School had handwriting and spelling contest.

Debate and Bhajan

There were two other Diamond Jubilee Year events, which were held in November. Inter School Debate Competition for Class th VII-X was held on the 4 . This was also part of our efforts to revive debating and create interest in it among our students. Six schools took part in the keenly contested event. Fifteen schools were represented in the Inter School Solo Bhajan Singing held on the 19th.

Good Bye, Seniors!

Std. XII students accompanied by the teachers of the Plus Two section went to Telaiya Dam. This was the farewell picnic for the students most of whom had completed 13 years at St. Xavier's. After the Christmas vacation Dec 23- Jan1) were the pre-Board exams for Std. XII. The rest of January was in a celebratory mood.

Xaviers Hazaribag Times

Xavier Day Diamond Jubilee Parents' Night
Parents of the present Xavier Day on 3rd of students, HOXAns and their December began with the families were the special guests Diamond Jubilee Mass at 7.00 at the evening cultural th a.m. The main celebrant was programme on Jan 27 . The Rt. Rev. Charles Soreng, S.J. programme held after sunset (the Bishop of Hazaribag attracted a sizeable crowd Catholic Diocese). A large (estimated to be more than number of priests and 4000) who appreciated the religious as well as Christian creative talents of the students. students and their parents The programme was of a very participated. At 9:00 a.m. the high quality, both in terms of the whole school gathered for the items and the professionalism in X a v i e r D a y a s s e m b l y. the organisation. The Thereafter the students had underlying message of beauty their Cross Country Races at of and love for God's creation the Lakefront. The students of was reflected in various segments of the show. One of the highlights all the four houses of the of the programme was a presentation of the changes that have taken school, namely the Britto place in the school during the past 60 years. An improvised duet by (Red), Gonzaga (Blue), Loyola Prof Sushil Rajgaria (1969) and Divya, a student of Std XI, was the (Yellow) and Xavier (Green) special surprise that won the heart of all. Mr. Pankaj Kamboj vied with each other for the (IPS, S.P. of Hazaribag) represented the district administration to honours. The Principal congratulate the school at its Diamond Jubilee. Fr. James, while addressed the members of the speaking of the growth of the school, stressed that St. Xavier will media about the Diamond Jubilee celebrations. The celebrations of change and St. Xavier's will remain the same. The permanent the day ended with a fellowship meal for the staff with the element, essence of the school, is its mission to form students of members of the parents' consultative committee and the press competence, conscience, compassion and commitment.

Annual Sports Day

The 59 t h Annual Sports Day celebration was th held on 10 December 2011. The programme was graced by the presence of Mr. Praveen Kumar (Asthana) I.A.S. (Chief Electoral Officer, Tamil Nadu), who passed out of the school in 1979. The Guest of Honour for the day was Dr. Nitin Madan Kukarni, I.A.S. ( C o m m i s s i o n e r, N o r t h Chhotanagpur). The finals of about 40 events were held on this day. The rhythmic March Past of Class IV-XII students to the accompaniment of the school band and the drill display of the Junior School students were the special attractions of the day. The guests gave short messages to the students and gave away the prizes to the Individual Champions, the Champion House and the most disciplined House. The outgoing Prefects were thanked and honoured and a new leadership team of Prefects was introduced during the event.

Staff Picnic
th

February 18 was a day of enjoyment and relaxation for the staff who had toiled very hard to make the Jubilee year a resounding success. A picnic was organised in Masi Marsal School at Kajarkilo, situated on the banks of the Konar River and surrounded by sal and mahua forests. This idyllic ambience was the perfect place for the teachers to relive their student-days. Most of the teachers rushed to the river and enjoyed bathing and splashing water at each other. Others trekked the forest and explored the river. After lunch the teachers and staff danced to popular tribal music tunes and rhythm under a bushy bamboo grove. The scenic beauty, the overwhelming hospitality of the FCC Sisters and the Jesuit Fathers and the sumptuous food made this picnic a very memorable one, according to some the best ever.

Visit of Fr. General

The Superior General of the Society of Jesus Rev. Fr. Adolfo Nicolas visited the School on th February 27 . He gave an inspiring address to a gathering of the staff and alumni of the school s well as teachers and alumni from other Jesuit Schools.