Thiruvananthapuram: Schools in the state celebrated Christmas with pomp and splendour before closing for vacation. Many also used Christmas time for charity-related activities. Students of St Joseph Higher Secondary School, Thiruvananthapuram, arranged new clothes as Christmas gifts for students of Government Higher Secondary School in Kidangara, Kuttanad, hit hard by the August floods.
Seven student representatives and faculty members, including principal Varghese P.J., headmaster Joseph Jose and manager Fr Dyson Yesudas, visited the school and handed over the gifts.
They also donated Rs 1 lakh. Nearly 100 students from Global Public School, Kochi, visited various old age homes to spread Christmas cheer.
The elderly Appachans and Amachis were immensely happy to narrate stories to the eager youngsters who enjoyed the day with them. Different batches of class V visited the Poorn-athrayeesa Vanaprastha Ashramam, Mulanthu-ruthy, Tabitha Old Age Home, Irumpanam, Poor-nathrayeesa Vridhasad-anam Charitable Trust, Tripunithura and gave gifts.
Christ Nagar Public School, Attingal, spread the fervour of Christmas all around with a colourful and blissful gala event - The Rhythm of Christmas with Cardinal Baselios Cleemis, the major archbishop of Syro-Malankara Archdiocese of Thiruvananthapuram. Fr Joseph Sebastian, principal, formally welcomed the gathering.
Fr.Sebastian Chamath-ara CMI, provincial, St. Joseph's Province made the keynote address. Fr. Joseph Vattapara-mbil CMI, manager, Mudakkal grama panchayat president Vijaya-kumari, ward member Simi Jayakumar, parents and wellwishers thoroughly enjoyed the visual treat presented by nearly 500 students.
At KV Pangode, the morning assembly the theme was befitting the spirit of X’mas. Imme-diately after the morning assembly, Xmas festivities began. The chief guest was the parish priest, Fr Y. Joy Sabu, of St Xavier’s Church, Peyad. Principal Dr Cicy Roy Mathew welcomed him.
The primary children presented the nativity tableau depicting the birth of Jesus Christ while its music band played Christmas tunes. The school choir group sang carol songs.
The appearance of Santa Claus was welcomed with great fanfare. Deputy school captain Samyukta Syam proposed the vote of thanks.In Ernakulam, Greets Public School, Kaloor, celebrated its 33rd annual day on Saturday along with the Christmas celebrations. Ports minister Ramac-handran Kadannappally was the guest of honour.
Hibi Eden MLA, deputy mayor T. J. Vinod, former deputy mayor Sabu George, actor Jayasurya and members of the management were a few among the dignitaries. The winners of Screenscapes Season II, a short film festival hosted by the school were also honoured.
Various entertainment programmes including on the theme of Christmas performed by the student’s added charm to the spirit of celebration of the day.
Students, teachers and staff of Toc H Public School, Kochi, celebrated Christmas on Saturday. Fr Johnson X Palackappillil, principal, Sacred Heart College, Thevara, was the chief guest.
During the inaugural ceremony held at Toc H Indoor stadium, the chief guest sermoned the Christmas message for all, emphasising “incessant love and relentless kindness” between human beings which is the essence of Christmas celebrations all over the world.
The celebrations of the institution commenced with a unique, eye-catching and dazzling “Mega Margamkali” presented by 100 students. With the participation of voluminous students, it was the first of its kind in the history of the school.
After that, students entertained and mesmerised the audience by displaying delightful and melodious mega Christmas carol chanted by 200 students together. A separate Christmas celebration for the Toc H Nursery School and primary section students of Classes 1 to 4 was held on Friday, with spirit and joy.
They presented vibrant, vivacious and bubbly programmes. They sang and danced with Pappanji and relished the merriment. They also exchanged Christmas gifts, distributed cakes and offered Christmas wishes each other.
A screening of the movie Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer followed. School founder director and manager Dr K. Varghese, president Dr Alex Mathew, secretary Er C. S. Varghese, treasurer M. X. Paul Vincent, director K. A. Simon, director K. K. Mathew and director N. J. Johnson were present.
Principal Juby Paul, vice-principals Molly Mathew and Meera Thomas, headmistress Shirley Grace John and nursery-in-charge Burnace Lopez spearheaded meticulous planning and fruitful accomplishment of the entire Christmas programmes.
