Hare Krishna ! Its that time of the year again...

Today, on Krishna Janmashtami, as the country celebrates Lord Krishna's Birthday with devotion, the Pre-Primary students of Vidya Vikas Academy also celebrated this festival with great joy and enthusiasm. A special assembly was held to mark this festivity.
At the special assembly, the teachers of the pre-primary explained to the students the significance and festivities of the day. Thereafter children thoroughly enjoyed the breaking of the 'Traditional Dahi Handi'.

Pre-Primary Pupils Celebrate Rainbow Day

Pre-Primary pupils celebrated the Rainbow Day with great joy and fervour. Children were seen in their best of coloured clothes which also symbolised VIBGYOR, the colour of rainbow.

A group of Sr. KG children were dressed in the seven coloures of the rainbow and the rest of the children were asked to identify the same.

Yash Naik bags National Championship at IMA

Master Yash Hemant Naik has won the National Championship in Grade VII in IMA (International Mental Arithmatic).

The Mental Arithmatic Academy had organised 7th National Abacus and Mental Arithmatic Competition 2010, at Kumara Rajan Mathia Hall, R.A Puram, Chennai India on 21st August 2010.

Many students from different states participated in the competition and Master. Yash Naik of Vidya Vikas Academy from class 5 was awarded with a Champion Trophy for winning in the National Grade VII

RakshaBandhan Celebrated

The pre-primary section of Vidya Vikas Academy celebrated RakshaBandhan on 24th of August, a festival, which celebrates the relationship between a brother and a sister. It is celebrated on the full moon of the month of Shraavana. The festival is marked by the tying of a rakhi, or holy thread by the sister on the wrist of her brother. The brother in return offers a gift to his sister and vows to look after her as she presents sweets to her brother. It is not necessary that the rakhi be given only to a blood brother; any male can be "adopted" as a brother by tying a rakhi on the person, irrespective of whether he is related or a good friend.
This is all what, our pre-primary teachers foccussed on and made our pupils aware of the Indian culture. The Resource Room Children also celbrated the festival and tied rakhi's to all the gent staff including Principal, Alan Rodrigues.

Re-enforcing the bond of love between brother and sister, we at the Academy organized a ‘Rakhi Making Competition’, between classes 1 to 5. The coordinator for the activity was Tr. Mitzie, the Art Teacher. The activity was organized in respective classes.
The students worked with great excitement and detail to put for their creativity. The Rakhis were later displayed in class and the winners (the best three from each division) with their photographs were put up on the display board.

Senior Teachers of VVA felicitated on Vidya Vikas Mandal's Founders Day

Vidya Vikas Mandal celebrated its 39th Founders Day at the Kare Law College Auditorium. Shri Sanjay K. Srivastava, Chief Secretary, Govt of Goa was the chief guest for the function. Shri. Ramakant Khalap, Chairman, Law Commission, Govt. of Goa, delivered keynopte address on "Vision of Goa University for the next 25 years", Prof. Dileep Deobagkar, Vice-Chancellor of Goa University was the Guest of Honour, Shri. R. G. Kare, President of Vidya Vikas Mandal presided over the function. Shri Ganesh Daivajna, Vice-President of Vidya Vikas Mandal also shared the dais along with the other dignitaries.

The functiuon started with a welcome song and a prayer presented by students of Vidya Vikas Academy.

Two Senior Teachers of Vidya Vikas Academy Mrs. Ijjathkhanu Khan and Mrs. Hilda Barbosa, were felicitated at the hands of Shri. Ramakant Khalap along with other staff of other institutions of Vidya Vikas Mandal for their dedicated work over the years. Miss. Nidhi Angle, topper of ICSE (March 2010) was also felicitated at the hands of Shri R. G. Kare. Shri. R.G. Kare also presented mementos to the Guests while Shri. Ganesh Daivajna proposed the vote of thanks. The function ended with singing of the National Anthem.

Chief Secretary, Education Secretary & Varsity Vice-Chancellor visits Academy

Shri. Sanjay K. Srivastava, Chief Secretary, Govt. of Goa, Dr. M. Modassir, Secretary of Education, Govt. of Goa and Prof. Dileep Deobagkar, Vice-Chancellor of Goa University, visited the Vidya Vikas Academy on 21st August 2010. They were welcomed by Shri. R.G. Kare, President of Vidya Vikas Mandal, Smt. Sheela H. N. Gaunekar, Manager of Vidya Vikas Academy, Smt. Beena Naik, member of the School Managing Committee, Mr. Alan Rodrigues, Principal of VVA, Mrs. Tania Monteiro, Vice-Principal of VVA and the staff members.

They were given a brief tour of the school Computer lab, Library, and the Bio, Physics and Chemistry Lab.
Shri. Sanjay K. Srivastava was very impressed with the School Campus and its infrastructure. He is looking forward to revisit the School.

Term I Exams Begin

Term I Examinations commenced on 21st of August 2010 for classes 8 to 10 and on 23rd of August for classes 5 to 7. Students were seen engrossed in writing their paper. The exams will continue till 31st of August.

Pre-Primary Students Celebrate ONAM

The Pre-primary students along with the staff members celebrated the Festival of ONAM with a special assembly conducted on 23rd of August.

The teachers enlightened the children about the festival, and festivities held on those days.

VVA - 1st in CHESS at Taluka Level

Vidya Vikas Academy won the 1st place in Chess Championship at Taluka Level organised by Directorate of Sports & Youth Affairs on 20th August 2010. The championship was held at the Fatorda Stadium Conference Hall.

Tha participants, Ritviz Parab of Class 5, Ameya Audi & Nishika Manira of Class 6, Disha Vernekar & Julian D'Costa of Class 7 have been selected for the District Level which will be held shortly. The students were accompanied by the P.E Teacher, Mrs. Balika Phaldessai.

V. M. Salgaocar Foundation Felicitates Toppers of Class X

Manager of Vidya Vikas Academy Mrs. Sheela H. Gaunekar along with Principal & Staff members attended a function organised by V. M. Salgaocar Foundation held at the Grand Ball Room of GOA MARRIOTT RESORT, Miramar on 18th August at 5.30 pm to felicitate the Top Ranked Students of Class 10 of the Goa Board and ICSE Examination held in March 2010.

Ms. Nidhi Vinayak Angle from our School received a cash Award and a Merit Certificate at the hands of the Hon'ble Speaker of the Goa Legislative Assembly, Shri Pratapsingh Raoji Rane. Shri. Dattaraj Salgaocar welcomed the gathering, while Shri. Shivanand Salgaocar proposed the vote of thanks.

It was a proud moment for the Principal & Teachers to see our Student receiving the Award. Mrs. Deepti Salgaocar, Trustee of Salgaocar Foundation & Smt. Vijayadevi Rane were also present on the occasion.

VIDYA VIKAS ACADEMY SELECTED AS BRITISH COUNCIL SCHOOL AMBASSADOR

The British Council was looking "to partner with a group of passionate group of British Council School Ambassadors (BCSA's)" and Vidya Vikas Academy has been chosen as one of the British Council Ambassador Schools to take Connecting Classrooms Online (CCO) forward. Our Link Coordinator, Miss Shaefali Lendhay has been selected as a British Council School Ambassador.
The Connecting Classrooms Online launch and a BCSA workshop will be held on September 8 and 9 at Mumbai to introduce the ambassadors to the CCO website and community tools and development of the British Council School Ambassador network. It will also help to understand the key role the school and the BCSA will be playing in initiating and facilitating CCO among schools.
The Connecting Classrooms Online Community would enable teachers around the community to network with one another, seek and share advice and join or form clusters of schools that want to work together on international projects. Discussions on curriculum development and potential links with other teachers globally as well as access to guidance about Connecting Classrooms , the International School Award (ISA) and other grant funded programs could be had.
Undoubtedly, this program will be a very fulfilling and rewarding role for all BCSA's who join hands with the British Council.

"Vidya Vikas Academy provides a wide range of activities, events and programs to afford the pupils an opportunity to grow to be caring, mature, responsible and contributing citizens of tomorrow as they interact, explore and grow in a loving, caring, motivating and stimulating environment at school," says Principal Alan Rodrigues.

Parent Teacher Meetings Held

Vidya Vikas Academy held Parent - Teacher Meetings in the School hall from Wednesday 11th August to Tuesday 17th August for classes 1 to 10.
The agenda for the meetings was:
1. VVA - a presentation
2. Milestones and Student Development
3. Principal's Address
4. Parent Class Representative.

The School Counselor Mrs. Wilma Francis Alphonso presented a powerpoint presentation and a talk on the physical, social and intellectual milestones that children go through at different ages.
Dr. A. M. Rodrigues, Principal of VVA in his Address to the Parents presented a powerpoint presentation and spoke of the areas the teachers will be focusing on for the academic year and also how important it was to teach the child to compete with himself.
At the end of each session, a parent representative volunteered for respective classes 1 to 10. Many parents expressed their appreciation for these meetings and found the presentation by the Counselor very important and informative.

Talk on awareness of H1N1 held

Dr. Ira D'Costa, Senior Pediatrician, Hospicio Hospital, Margao Goa gave a talk on H1N1 to the teachers of VVA on 17th August 2010. The teachers were highlighted about the causes and symptoms of H1N1 and were advised to check for such symptoms in students and alo in the neighbourhood. The teachers were informed about the medication and that the H1N1 can be cured.

VVA NCC CADETS FIRE IN AIR

Fifty-Three NCC Cadets along with ANO Mario Vales from Vidya Vikas Academy attended the SMALL ARMS FIRING PRACTICE (.22 Rifle Firing) at 3 MTR Navelim Camp.
All Cadets were given the opportunity to fire 10 bullets each. Senior Cadet Armando Alvares states that it was a memorable experience to handle a rifle and aim it at a given target.

TRI-COLOUR UNFURLED WITH GREAT PRIDE & DIGNITY

63rd Independence Day was celebrated with great fervour and patriotism at Vidya Vikas Academy. The Management Members, Principal, Staff, Students & Parents attended the function in large numbers. Mrs. Sharad Gude, a veteran freedom fighter was the Chief Guest for the Flag Hositing Ceremony. The Tri-Colour was unfurled at the hands of the Chief Guest and the National Anthem was sung. The Chief Guest was accompanied by Mr. & Mrs. Kare and Mrs. Panandikar .

The students put up a wonderful programme. Some of the items were a patriotic song, a skit on the use of cell phones (presented along with the pupils of the Resource Room), a group dance, speeches in English and Hindi, release of the Bulletin published by the VVA Mass-Media & Computer Club.
Sweets were distributed to the pupils and guests after the function.

PRE-PRIMARY SECTION OF VVA CELEBRATE INDEPENDENCE DAY

The pre-primary students held a special assembly to mark India’s Independence Day.

The teachers spoke to the children on Independence Day, highlighting the sacrifices made by our Freedom Fighters. The students acted out a small stressing religious harmony. The assembly ended with a patriotic song and National anthem.
The work done by the students, on national symbols, animals etc and flags were displayed.

Ninety-Three Year Old Mrs. Dorothy Bapat reminisces about the 1st Independence Day in 1947

Two students of VVA, Miss. Sachi Angle and Miss. Tahira Menezes of Class 9 interviewed Mrs. Bapat on the eve of the 63rd Anniversary of India’s Independence. Speaking about India’s Independence, she had mixed emotions as according to her, it was a day of happiness and sadness. A day of happiness because India was free from the foreign rule and the Indian flag was hoisted but also a day of sadness because of the separation of India and Pakistan as it was very painful to part from some of their friends and loved ones.

In her message to today’s youth, she said, “Be aware of all the benefits we have today. Thank God for what you have and look forward to the future. Make every moment happen and make the most of what you have. Do not grumble over thing you cannot change. Do not do things in excess; do not cross your limits. Be grateful for what you have. Be adjustable, kind, content and thoughtful. Have love for your neighbors and be kind to animals.”

Canteen Day Held

As a part of the socially Useful Productive Work, Class 9 A of VVA, put up a canteen on Saturday, 07th of August 2010, the proceeds of which will go towards the outreach programme organised by our School - SnehaDhara. The canteen was a great success and all the items got sold out. Pupils made all the snacks on their own with a little help from their teachers. Tr. Carla Quadros co-ordinated the activity and supervised the students.

The Resource Room Children also prepared mouth watering Monaco Biscuit Toppings as a part of their Fun Friday Activity. This activity was supervised by Tr. Mamatha Honnavar.

Resource Room Children get ready for Raksha Bandhan

The children of the Resource Room have made beautiful rakhis on account of Rakshabandhan which will be celebrated on 24th of August. The creativity of the children of the Resource Room can be seen in these beautiful Rakhis. The rakhis are at display at VVA.

Children in action making Rakhis

Manovikas Inter-School Spelling Bee Contest

Our juniors did us proud at the Inter-School Spelling Bee Conpetition conducted by Manovikas ICSE School on Friday, 30th July and Monday, 2nd August.
In Category I - Keenan Cardozo, Bradley Rodrigues of Class 5 won the 1st and 2nd Prize respectively, whereas Kartik Hede of class 4 contributed to win the 1st place for the School.

In Category II - Julian D'Costa of and Tarun Mascarenhas of class 7 won the 2nd and the 3rd place respectively whereas Kenneth D'Silva of class 7 contributed to win the 2nd place for the School.
In Category III - Eric Mesquita, Aaron Sanches and Raul de. Gouveia Pinto of class 9 won the 3rd place for the School.