Xaviers Hazaribag Times

Dear Xaverians and Friends, On 21st Dec. we felicitated the alumni of 1988 batch upon completion of 25 years of their graduating from the school. We had extended an invitation to the 1963 batch as well, but none turned up. However, the 1973 batch came together to celebrate their Ruby Jubilee at the same time. Now we will make this an annual event coinciding with the

January 2014

Sports Day, usually on the Saturday before Christmas. I warmly welcome the 1964, 74 and 89 batches to return to their alma mater for the celebration of their Golden, Ruby, and Silver Jubilee respectively on Saturday, Dec 20, 2014. HOXA is likely to organise Reunion 2014 on Dec 19-21. in veritate et caritate Fr. P.J. James, S.J.

All-Faith Prayer Meeting

On the occasion of Gandhi Jayanti an inter-faith prayer meeting was organised by the Scouts and Guides in the school hall. About 200 Scouts and Guides from neighbouring schools prayed together. Mr. Vipin Kumar, State Scout Training Commissioner, was among the guests. Later in the day the Scouts and Guides of St. Xavier's went to the Old Age Home to spend some time with the inmates.

Language Lab and Mindspark

A new lab was equipped with 54 networked terminals at the John Moore Computer Centre in June. Language Lab software developed by ETNL, Kochi, was installed there. Students of Std II-VII have started using the language lab from the beginning of the second semester for learning the correct pronunciation. In November students of Std IV and V joined a free pilot of internet based Mathematics learning programme, Mindspark, offered by Educational Initiatives, Ahmedabad. It is a wonderful aid to strengthening the students' understanding of mathematical concepts.

Junior School Quiz

A lively Quiz programme for Std II and III was held on 4th October 2013. In this inter-house contest Gonzaga took the first prize in Std II and Xavier in Std III.

Inter School Quiz Competition

Fr. Michael Eather Memorial Inter School Quiz Competition for Junior (Classes 4-7) and Senior (Classes 8-10) categories was held on 31st October. The preliminary written round was followed by the final on stage round. In the junior category, the hosts secured the first position and Holy Cross School, Hazaribag, was the runners up. In the senior category, D.A.V. Public School and St. Xavier's, Hazaribag respectively stood first and second.

CBSE Cluster II Basketball

Our school was chosen to organise and host the under-19 boys' and girls' Basketball Tournament for CBSE affiliated schools in Cluster II comprising of the states of Jharkhand, Odisha, and West Bengal. It may also be mentioned that last academic year we had successfully organised the Cluster II Football Tournament with 42 school teams. The grand opening ceremony was held in the main oval on Oct 7th morning. Mr. Manoj Kaushik, I.P.S., Superintendent of Police, Hazaribag, was the chief guest. Mr. Munna Kumar Singh, Commandant, CRPF 22 Bn inaugurated the event after a colourful cultural programme. Over three days, 27 boys' teams and 12 girls' teams played 42 matches, some under flood lights. A galaxy of dignitaries witnessed the matches which were played on the newly constructed basketball courts. Logistical support (medical, transport, etc) was provided by CRPF. Generous sponsorship was received from banks, companies, and private individuals. Our staff, especially the maintenance staff worked very hard in spite of inclement weather, even late into the night. The hosts lost to the boys of Jawahar Vidya Mandir, Shyamali, Ranchi, in the final match. M.G.M. School, Bokaro Steel City, beat St. Mary's, Jamshedpur, in the girls section. All the four finalists qualified for the National Championship held in Agra, 23-28 December.

Two Xavier Boys in Jharkhand Under-14 Football Team

Allen Abhishek Runda VII A, Jwala Patras Ekka VII C were among the 20 boys selected to the Jharkhand State Football Team (under 14years). They played in the interstate tournament held at Kalyani, West Bengal from 4th Nov 2013.

Training Camp for President Scout

Scout training and testing camp for President Scouts of the Eastern region was held at Ganganagar, West Bengal from 13-17 November. Scouts from Odisha, West Bengal and Jharkhand took part in the camp. Of the five Jharkhand Scouts who passed the test, four were from St. Xavier's, Hazaribag, trained by Mr. Binay Mohan Choudhury. They will be receiving their award in March 2014 at the function to be held at Rashtrapati Bhavan, New Delhi.
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Xaviers Hazaribag Times

January 2014

Inter School Elocution and Debate Competition

On December 7th the third Fr. Phil Hosking Memorial Inter School English Elocution and Debate Children's Day Competitions were held. The participants were Std VIII-X students The younger the children, the of other English medium schools of bigger was the celebration of Hazaribag. Dr. Subhashis Das, Prof. Children's Day. The youngest children Rizwan Ahmed, Prof. Sukalyan Moitra (Classes Prep and I) had a fancy dress (all old Xaverians) and Prof. Vikas Kumar were the Judges. In the competition. There were 136 different Elocution competition St. Xavier's got the first position in both the junior make-ups depicting Gods and and senior categories while the runners up were Holy Cross and Mount Goddesses, Nature and Human Egmont School respectively. The topic of Debate was The age for issuing characters. A handwriting competition was also held for Classes II-III. Middle school children were entertained driving licenses should be lowered to sixteen.St. Xavier's and Mount by their teachers. Toffees were distributed to sweeten the day for all the Carmel shared all the prizes. students. Christmas Gathering

Visit of Fr. Jose Alberto Mesa, S.J.

The Secretary of Jesuit Secondary Education, coordinator of the Jesuit School World Network and visiting professor of Cultural and Educational Policy Studies at Loyola University of Chicago, Fr. Mesa, visited the school on 18-19 November. After giving an inspiring talk to the students at the school assembly he met the prefects to understand the Annual Sports Day school from the students' points of view. The next day he spoke to the The colourful and spectacular teachers and staff. His main advice to all was to be like the giraffe: that is, st 61 Annual Sports Meet was held on to have 'big hearts' and 'tall minds.' He spoke of the importance of 21st December, the day the school collaboration in order to facilitate growth and quality of education. closed for Christmas vacation. A total Interaction with Hearing Impaired Children of 141 items of track and field events and fun games were held over three 30 t h Nov, Saturday, the weeks prior to the big day. At the grand students of Std. III interacted with the opening ceremony a special function was held to felicitate 1963 and 1988 students of St. Michael's School for batches celebrating 50 and 25 years of the completion of their schooling. Hearing Impaired. They had games, Some beautiful dances depicted the journey of the returning alumni. Mr. meals and cultural programmes to Satya Prakash (1988) spoke on behalf of the jubilarians. The outgoing share. Some of the students attempted team of prefects were thanked and a to learn the sign language of the new leadership team was presented hearing impaired. A unique bonding with badges. with the differently-abled children was indeed heartening to witness. A Hon'ble Mr. Justice Tapen Sen song was composed and sung by the girls of Std III D for the occasion. of Kolkata High Court (1970 batch Xavier Day and the Principal's Goat alumnus and teacher 1974-75) was the The feast day of St. Francis chief guest of the day. A large crowd of Xavier was celebrated on 3rd December parents former students and other with a solemn holy Eucharist at 7:00 dignitaries including the Deputy Commissioner Sunil Kumar IAS, a.m., attended by Christian staff, witnessed the sporting events drills and the march past. students and their families. A special The best marching houses were Xavier (middle school) and assembly focused on the life of the Loyola (senior school). The trophy for the best house in Academic and saint was organized by the Xavier Co-Curricular activities during the year was awarded to Britto House. The House. Annual cross country race champion house in Sports and Games in 2013 was Loyola. The trophy for around Hazaribag Jheel saw all the students of Std IV - XII vying with the best disciplined House went to Gonzaga. The newly introduced each other to gain points for their houses. The Principal walked two MAGIS CUP for all-round excellence was given to Xavier House. rounds of the lake. A goat that accompanied him for the second round Rohit Xaxa of Std XII C, the Captain of the School Basketball delighted the students and captured the attention of a press photographer. team that played the CBSE National Championship in Agra, was awarded The photo of the Principal being followed by a goat was published in a the Dr M. Pathak Memorial Trophy and Medal for the Emerging Sports local newspaper the next day much to the amusement of the friends of the Personality of the Year 2013 in recognition of his excellent performance in school who had not witnessed the event. Athletics and basketball. View current and past newsletters and school magazines at: http://www.hoxa.org
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On 20th December the annual Christmas gathering was organised. The colourful and festive spirit of the season was embodied in the carols and nativity scenes presented by the students. Fr. George Thomas, the Superior of the Jesuit Community, in his Christmas message said that Christmas pointed to the presence of God with us always. Christmas cakes were distributed to everyone after the programme.