St. Xavier's Higher Secondary School, Mapusa conducted an overnight Faculty Improvement Programme for its staff on the 4th and 5th of August, 2023, at St. Joseph Vaz Renewal Centre, Old Goa. Staff registration commenced from 5:00p.m. to 5:30 p.m. onwards. A total number of 116 staff members attended the same.
At the onset, Ms. Nirmala briefed staff members about guidelines to be noted at the venue and during the programme. Ms. Elaine Da Costa, from the co-circular committee conducted recreational activities for the staff members. The gathering was welcomed at the renewal center by Fr. Aron Magalhaes, director of the same, who emphasized the need to update and spend time with oneself.
Mr. Pravin Sabnis conducted the first session on the topic, "Teamwork- the strength of an Institution". Mr. Sabnis maintained that the essence of a good team is its ability to work together. He advised that "people don't care how much you know until they know how much you care". He also highlighted the need for equal opportunities to propel the growth of an institution.
The following day, the staff was an enthusiastic audience to the workshop on "Emotional Management Skills" conducted by Ms. Poonam Sirsat. Ms. Sirsat informed the audience that emotions can influence one's thoughts, behaviour, goals, decision-making, personal relationships, success, and world at large.
Next, Mr. Vishwanath Swar conducted an interactive session on "Ways to Improve yourself as a Teacher". He analysed classroom management techniques and the benefits of yoga for effective teaching. The importance of having a goal, mobilising one's competencies, and updating oneself continually was illustrated during this session.
Following the lunch break, Fr. Onasis N.S. D' Cruz conducted his session on "Spiritual Growth for fruitful living". Fr. Onasis underscored the relation between fruitful living and spiritual growth and how the former cannot be without the latter. He presented 4 R's- Review, Radicalise, Renew, and Resurrect, to be mindful of. He concluded his session with a reminder that "every disappointment is an appointment with God".
The final session for the day was on "Cultivating student growth, transformative rule of care, love, compassion and self belief" in education by Prof. Dr. Oscar Braganza D'Mello. Dr. D'Mello illustrated the phenomenon wherein making the student believe that they can do well can reap productive results. Rather than focusing on being interesting staff, Mr. Oscar directed the need to be interested in students.
The day ended with a group photograph taken at 5:00 p.m., after which, the staff left the premises enriched in their growth as teachers.