Xaviers Hazaribag Times

Dear Xaverians and Friends, Jubilees! The school has started celebrating the jubilee of your completion of schooling. Please help to spread the word. On Dec 21, 2013, on our Annual Sports Day, we will celebrate the Golden Jubilee of 1963 and Silver Jubilee of 1988 batches. I request HOXAns of these two batches to take note of the date and begin planning your visit to your alma mater. Please also help to

April 2013

build a mailing list by forwarding to me the email addresses and contact numbers of your classmates and friends, especially of these two batches, to enable me contact everyone personally in good time. With warm regards, Fr. P. J. James, S.J.

Republic Day 2013

64 Republic Day of India was celebrated by the school with much enthusiasm. At 9:00 a.m. the Vice Captain, Azra Naseem ( X I C ), hoisted the National Flag as the Captain, Snigdh, was unwell. The other Vice Captain, Riya Pandey (IX) gave a very thought provoking speech. Patriotic songs, dances and displays by the Scouts enriched the function. For the alumni present it was a nostalgic moment filled with much gratitude and emotion.
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Duke TIP Prizes

Mr. Gul Chandirmani also gave the certificates of recognition awarded by Duke University to Vatsal Sinha, Vagish and Swarajya Kumar of Std. VII. These students are among the 100 selected from all over India to attend a special summer studies programme organized at Infosys Campus, Mysore. They were selected through a higher level test, namely, Duke University Talent Identification Program (Duke-TIP), having scored like about 30 other students of St. Xavier's in the top five percentile in ASSET (Assessment of Scholastic Skills through Educational Testing) conducted by Educational Initiatives, Ahmedabad.

Felicitation of Jubilarians
The Republic Day gathering delightfully flowed into st another beautiful event. In its 61 year the school has set in motion annual felicitation of former students who mark 50 or 25 years of the completion of schooling. The dignitaries invited this time were from the 1962 and 1987 batches. Perhaps due to short notice, the attendance was less than expected, with no one turning up from the 1962 batch. Mr. Sujit Sen (1967) gave a brief message to the students at the outset. After the cultural programme and presentation of mementos to 23 Silver Jubilarians Mr. Anupam Lal Das (1987) spoke from his heart echoing the sentiments of all the alumni present, their sincere appreciation for their alma mater. The Principal thanked everyone announcing that the felicitation programme will be an annual feature.

HOXA Reunion
An alumni reunion was organised for the second consecutive year. The focus of the reunion this time was the batches celebrating the Golden and Silver Jubilees of completion of school, namely 1962 and 1987. Total registrations were only 85, although many more were seen on the campus on the days of the reunion, Jan 25-27. Three of the participants were from overseas. The reunion concluded with the annual General Body Meeting of HOXA. Hereafter the annual reunion is likely to be organised to coincide with the annual sports meet of the school in December.

Farewell for Class XII

The farewell for the students of Class XII was given on Jan 27, 2013. The outgoing students and their parents were graciously welcomed into the hall at 2.00 p.m. by representatives of Std. XI. Dr. Gratias Tom Mundakel (1979), Clinical Assistant Professor of Neonatology, SUNY Downstate Medical Center, New York was the commencement speaker. In his well thought out and inspiring address he congratulated the students for the successful completion of their education in the school and forewarned them of some unexpected dangers they might encounter as they venture out into the next stage of their education. Fr. Principal expressed his profound gratitude towards the students and their parents for their cooperation and sense of responsibility in supporting the school in creating an atmosphere of effective learning.

Emerging Sports Personality Award

During the Republic Day celebration Sujit Kispotta (XIIC) was awarded the first Dr. M. Pathak Memorial Trophy and Medal for the Emerging Sports Personality of the Year in recognition of his achievements in Football, Athletics and Cricket. This prize was set up by Dr. Ashok Pathak (1966) to honour the memory of his f a t h e r. D r. A s h o k w a s h i m s e l f a n accomplished cricketer in his days in school. He is now an internationally reputed orthopaedic surgeon and cricket commentator residing in the U.K. Sujit received the prize from Mr. Gul Chandirmani (1961).

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Xaviers Hazaribag Times

Britto Day
The feast of St. John de Britto was celebrated on 2nd Feb 2013. The students of the Middle and Senior sections joined by the staff assembled on the grounds to pay homage to the Saint. Lighting of the lamp, prayer song, dances, reflection on the life of the Saint and a message from the Principal were the highlights of the assembly. The celebration was concluded with a friendly Basket Ball match played between the Staff and the Students. The teachers could match the stamina and speed of the students for some time. But the youngsters finally emerged victorious.

April 2013

Death Anniversary of Fr. Michael Eather

The first death anniversary of formal Principal, Fr. Michael Eather was on 28th Feb 2013. The Middle School organized a special prayer assembly. Fr. William Dwyer, another former Principal led the gathering in paying respects to Fr. Eather by garlanding his portrait. He lit the ceremonial lamp together with the Vice Principal Sr. Tresa. A short interfaith prayer followed with readings and hymns from different religious traditions. Fr. Dwyer spoke warmly about the life of Fr. Eather and highlighted his valuable contributions in the field of education in Jharkhand. It was noted that his text books in Mathematics and English are still used in many elementary schools.

Staff Picnic
On 9 t h Feb 2013 the teaching and nonteaching staff set off for a picnic at the Hazaribag National Park. Sumptuous food, singing, dancing, boating and games made the day a relaxing and enjoyable one for all.

Examinations 2013
second Semester examinations for Classes PrepVIII and XI were concluded on February 28th. The students of these classes had a month long break in the middle of which they received the good news of their promotion to the next grade. "School Conducted Examinations" for Std. IX and X were held during the second half of March as directed by the CBSE. On March 1st the Board Examinations for Std. X and XII began. Only three of our students chose to write the "Board Conducted" Std. X examinations. The number that took the Senior Secondary examinations was 178. Our students had their centre at Sree Ramakrishna Sarda Math and Mission (Vivekananda Central School) while we hosted four schools of Hazaribag (DAV, VCS, St. Paul's and St. Augustine's). 638 students wrote the Secondary and 673 the Senior Secondary examinations at our centre.

Farewell to Three Stalwarts

On 18 th Feb 2013 the school family assembled on the grounds to bid farewell to Mr. Bhuneshwar Paswan (Lab Assistant, 38 years), Ms. Rosy Kawa (Junior School Teacher, 34 years), and Mr. Deepak Gomes (High School Teacher, 27 years). Sincere gratitude for their significant contributions and deep feelings at the irreparable loss for the school surfaced in the event. The Vice Captain of the School, Azra Naseem (XIC) spoke in gratitude on behalf of the students. Mr. Cyprian Surin, Vice Principal, spoke with great warmth and affection about the three greats whose work was nearly perfect in every respect. He opined that the very lives of these great personalities and their endless patience have been inspiring. With heavy hearts the three expressed their deep gratitude for the love and care they received in abundance from their colleagues and students in the course of their service. Following this there was an intimate and emotional session exclusively for and by the staff. Fr. James lauded their precision, competence and commitment. He remarked that the absence of these three strong pillars of the school will be felt for a long time.

Ms. Marcella Hansda, (1964-2013)

Ms. Marcella Hansda, staff of our Junior School since July 1987 passed away on 19th March 2013. She has been under treatment for breast cancer since 2008. The teachers and staff paid her their respect visiting her at home and taking part in the funeral rites in the Cathedral Church the next day. Some gathered together at her residence on March 23rd for a prayer meeting. Her long dedicated service to the school is gratefully acknowledged. The Xavier family showed great solidarity with her during her long treatment. We offer heartfelt condolences to her husband Martin and her two children Alex and Felix who are in the school. On April 3rd, the second day of the new academic session, the school will organise a prayer meeting for the repose of the departed.

Fr. Gavin at 90
The senior-most person o n t h e c a m p u s , F r. G a v i n O'Sullivan, S.J. hit a 90 on March 2nd. He was delighted to be greeted by more than 80 of the school staff in the morning with gifts and flowers wishing him good health even beyond a century.

View current and past newsletters and school magazines at: http://www.hoxa.org