Together for student excellence - The General Body PTA meeting for classes 9 and 10

-Ms. Ashwini Gupte

The first General Body Parents Teachers Meeting for standards 9 and 10 was held in the Fr. Casti Hall on 19^th June 2016 at 8am. The members of the management, teachers and the parent body came together to share success stories and to plan in the best interest of the students for the year ahead.

The AHM, Mrs. Christina Mascarenhas, welcomed the parent body and the supervisor, Mrs. Janet D’Souza invoked God’s blessings so that everything done would contribute to the welfare of the students. Our Rector, Rev. Fr. Godfrey D’Souza, introduced the members of the management and expressed gratitude for the partnership between the parents and the school for the holistic development of the students. Fr. Godfrey urged the parents to spend time with their children, to get to know them and guide them well, especially in the digital world we live in, where children face pressure due to social media. Fr. Godfrey stressed that we are together for the purpose of creating compassionate citizens, that Don Bosco education is a matter of the heart. Fr. Godfrey urged parents to stay connected to their children, to inspire them to be the best versions of themselves. Finally, Fr. Godfrey thanked the parents for their commitment to the vision and mission of Don Bosco, Matunga.

The Principal, Rev. Fr. Flovi D’Souza, shared that the school nurtures value-driven young men who will contribute to the society with integrity. Fr. Flovi shared the details of the SSC results 2025-2026. Fr. Flovi shared that the school would be using the new app, the ERP smart school system this year for all communication as well as payment of fees. Fr. Flovi shared that the sports division was being reintroduced and that the Sports Academy was open to those who could not make it to the sports division. Fr. Flovi shared key school rules, including mandatory attendance on the first and last day of school before and after every break, the leave policy was explained, Fr. Flovi urged parents to reinforce cleanliness at home, speaking in English was stressed as being mandatory in school at all times, not only because it the first language at school but also to prepare the students for the world beyond school. Fr. Flovi shared that the school would be continuing with the Art and Culture program through the trip to Paris, France.

Ms. Sonali from Prafulta shared that the EDCG program would begin this year, with age-appropriate topics including emotional development and career guidance. Students would receive worksheets and handouts to be taken home and parental involvement was urged. Ms. Sonali appealed to parents to have conversations with their wards to effectively deal with behavioural and emotional issues. The class 10 students would have only one session, after which they would have a career aptitude test during school hours.

The Administrator, Rev. Fr. Orville Coutinho paid tribute to Fr. Aurelius Maschio for his foresight in building the huge sports grounds at Matunga. Fr. Orville shared that it was his task to maintain everything on the campus. Fr. Orville thanked the parent body for their support and contribution with this mammoth task. Fr. Orville requested parents to be judicious in allowing their wards the use of cell phones.

The guidelines for the formation of the PTS were read out by the supervisor, after which the parents moved to the classes for the election of the PTA class representatives who form the Executive Body of the PTA for the academic year 2026-2027.