We all were sitting in our class when Nimmy miss came and informed us that in the 6th period,

we had to
assemble in the Activity Room. From the past weeks, we were alarmed by our class teacher Miss Seema
that the time had come when we would come to know, who is going to lead the school in this academic
year 2016-17. In the 6th period, when we were taken to the Activity Room, upon seeing my name
‘Souradeep Banerjee’ next to the title ‘Head Boy’, it was like, “Wait a minute, is that my name on the
board?” I can’t express my feelings in words. It was just amazing. I did wanted to be the Head Boy, but I
didn’t expect that my dream will turn into reality. 10 of the White House members, whose names were
written on the board, were called to the Principal’s Cabin. Standing in front of all, and being in Sr.’s
Cabin for the 1st time, gave me goosebumps. Now though, I quite easily go to Sr.’s office, but the first
time experience just shook me off. Then all the House Prefects were elected and the Volunteers were
chosen. Our names were announced at the end of the day. When our senior batch came to know our
names, they were relieved that now finally, they were about to set free from their responsibilities and
duties. But before that we were given our responsibilities, it was our new Manager Sr. Ansela, who met
the whole school for the first time on 20th June 2016. On 23rd June 2016, we were officially handed over
our posts and our respective items, with me receiving the School Flag handed over to me by our out-
going Head Boy Varan Kgulati, of whose responsibility was ours, to maintain the dignity of and take care
the whole year, and was pinned the prestigious ‘Head Boy’ badge by our new Manager Sr. Ansela. All of
us pledged to maintain the rules and regulations of the school and keep the banner of our school, flying
high.

The first event which came in this academic year and we as the office bearers was the Management Day
held on 19th July 2016. Along with being a part of the programme, this was the first time that we had to
send volunteers to each class for minding. It was a sweat producing task and very havocking, but we still
managed it, sometimes quite smoothly, while mostly being scolded by the teachers. The programme
was very well and well appreciated.

Next was the Patriotic Singing competition on 12th August 2016, where also we helped all the four
Houses forgetting our own House and making it a grand show with the Blue House winning the
competition, and the Green House being the Runners-Up.

With numerous dignitaries and Sisters coming to visit our school, this year, one of those was the Mother
General, Mother Mary Elma who came all the way from South India on 30th August 2016. It was the first
time, that I had to welcome the guests, which gave me goosebumps at the first instance, but then I
managed to do the task well, with full confidence.

But the greatest challenge was still to come, The Teachers’ Day celebration, which was held on 3rd
September 2016. We had been thinking of this, from the day we were sworn in as the office-bearers. A
huge task, with many obstacles and few ego clashes. Planning the programme, selecting the theme,
choosing the students, choreographing the dances, and directing the skits, anchors, decorations and lots
more. Moreover, every day the layout of the programme was changed. Every day, a new wish to be
fulfilled, some from the students, some from the arrogant members of the Council and some from the
Management. Rehearsing the timings, cutting short the program, change of anchors in the wake of the
programme, joint celebration of both the Mediums,and the backdrop and the decoration of the
auditorium, everything was done, in a fastened week. With the support of all the Sisters, students and
the Council of the Gujarati medium, the Celebration was a grand success. All the teachers were
impressed and enjoyed the programme very much. We received many positive remarks about the
program. Some teachers even missed the show, of which they and we regretted, especially Ms. Priti
Mathur, who sadly, missed her last Teacher’s Day of her teaching career.

On 9th September 2016, our school celebrated the canonisation of Mother Teresa with a special
assembly and with a garland, and a speech by our manager Sr. Ansela.

But holding such a dignified position, not always gives you praises. In our regular routine, as we had to
keep a check on the discipline and maintaining the rules and regulations of the school, many
incapabilities of us, were exposed and received many derogative remarks too. But this is what
leadership teaches us, there will be both good and bad, but you will have to neglect the bad and
improve the good in order to succeed.

Kept isolated for many events such as the Hindi Divas, Garba Celebration, etc, because of our ongoing
exams, the next event, in which we could play an important role, was the Children’s Day Celebration,
held on 19th November 2016 and the Fun Fair. If we compare, even if we can’t compare, because we
don’t have enough words in the English Vocabulary to, this year’s programme was much much more
than we expected and it broke the record set by all the previous years’ celebrations, by giving us more
and more entertainment than ever, and making our day. We had to say the Vote of Thanks to the
teachers for the wonderful programme presented to us. We had to organise the DJ for the students,
because Q A C S means DANCE!!! Children enjoyed the DJ, though the elder children, didn’t like it much,
because we played more western than Indian. We had games and other entertainment too, which just
kept us away from any kind of stress, for the whole day. Also as the soldiers of cleanliness on the Fun
Fair held on 21st December 2016, we along with all the students of the 9th Std., maintained the hygiene
of the school premises by keeping it clean and helping the teachers in all the possible ways, starting
from arranging the stalls, to maintaining the discipline, supervise the functioning of the event etc.

Also not forgetting, on 8th December 2016, 20 of our 9th std. students were taken to the St. Joseph’s High
School, at Hingoria, a village 40 kms. from Bharuch for a social visit to spend a day with the
underprivileged children there and bring a smile on their faces. We presented some entertainment
programmes, played numerous indoor as well as outdoor games, shared the simple meal of rice, chicken
pea and pulses, and just enjoyed being with them. A day outside the school, making new friends, visiting
the countryside and moreover getting a relieve from the hamper duties and responsibilities was quite a
nice experience for me and all of us.

Now we were tired (actually saving energy for the next big event – The Annual Day). Thanks to the
school management, that the responsibilities of the next events, Diwali Celebration held on 25th
November 2016 and the Christmas Celebration held on 22nd December 2016 were given to the Primary
Section Council, Headed by the Head Boy, Dhairya Shah and Head Girl, Jaspreet Kaur, who were also
good friends with us. With the help of the Primary teachers, the Council proved, that they are no less
than us. The programme put up on Diwali, the Ram-Leela, the celebrations, everything was amazing. The
same was for the Christmas Celebration, with a skit showing how Santa narrated his childhood to a poor
small girl, and giving a message to everybody that, “Christmas is not Christmas until it is from the heart.”
At the end of the Christmas Celebration, Four of we Heads from both the Sections, went to Sr. Sharlet’s
Cabin to wish her and the entire school management, Merry Christmas and A very Happy New Year 2017
from the entire student strength of the school.

After the Christmas Celebrations and the Vacations, the school was ready for the final event of this
academic year 2016-17, The Annual Day. It was held on 21st January 2017. As the preparations were
going on, I was called by Seema Miss and Jaya Miss, to help them out with typing the Annual School
Report 2016-17 which I, Mahi and Manav had to read in front of the whole audience at the Annual Day.
Besides that, maintaining the discipline of the students, managing the backstage and rehearsal area and
helping out in the Presentation Screen, and lots of small and big works to be done. Because of the Hard
work of the school members, with coming to school in the evening, to practice, and help out and various
dramas on and behind the stage, the annual day was a grand success. All the teachers, students, school
management and everybody put in their 100% to make the Function a remarkable one indeed. I got a
chance to lead the escorting of our Chief Guest and Guests of Honour, which was in fact, a matter of
hugh pride. Besides that, welcoming the Chief Guest with a bouquet and taking the Guests of Honour to
the stage and down the stage, was just an unforgiving experience. Then again on the Republic Day (26th
January), I got the chance to escort our Chief Guest, Ms. Priti Mathur, and lead the March Past from the
front, with the School flag flying high in my hand.

On 28th and 29th January 2017, our school participated in the 24th Narmadanagar Community Science
Festival, where many of our students won the laureate for our school. Though me not winning anything,
being there, encouraging others and celebrating together the victory of our school blended happiness in
my leadership.

With the end of this academic year 2016-17, our tenure as the office-bearers comes to an end. A year
full of ample opportunities and responsibilities comes to an end. From day one to the last day of our
tenure, leadership taught us something which is very very important for us in our future, i.e.,
management. Best of Luck to the next Head Boy and the Student Council 2017-18 of both the Primary
and the Secondary Sections. Leadership awaits you an ocean of experiences. And before going, I’ll say,
Once a Head Boy, forever a Head Boy.