Cibaria – Necessaria – Sumite – Et – Abite when translated from Latin it becomes: Take the necessary food and depart.
Seen at right seated is the Chief Guest Raymond D'Sa
That was the motto of the school then when it was established by Fr. Lyons a non Goan who got himself cured of his dreaded skin desease bcause of which he was thrown out of the Seminary where he was doing his priestly studies. When somebody told him to go to Goa where there are Springs whose curative water will cure you, he came to Goa and went to Sinquerim where after doing the needful he was cured.
Welcoming the Chief Guest with a Flower Bouquet.
Almost after quarter of a century I got an opportunity to witness the Sports Day of Arpora St. Joseph’s High School, where I studied up to my SSC and won laurels for me during the School Meets by winning 100, 200, 400 & 800 mtres races and thereby winning individual Championship. Later on representing my School in the All Goa Inter-School Athletics Meets also winning individual Championship and even declaring as the fastest runner of Goa. I am grateful to my Alma Mater for giving me so many opportunities in my life as a student to develop myself not only in sports but also in many other segments of my life.
Seen addressing the gathering is Fr. Urbano Menezes - Principal of the School.
.If today what I am it is only because of the excellent discipline, coaching and guidance I got from my school. All my teachers were not only teachers for me but they were also fatherly figures to me, they were Gurus to me and above all they were true friends to me. I salute them all because they were sincere, devoted and genuine teachers. For this reason I still remember them. Of course those were the days of Fr. Mendonsa and Fr. Peter.
Seen above seated are 4 ladies - 2 at the right, one wearing the red dress, both compeered the proceedings beautifully with their charming mellifluent voices.
Who was Fr. Mendonca? He was the great educationist interested in the development of Goan youth. Annual Sports Day of the school at Arpora was the greatest day for him and to make it successful he was devoting his more time. He would print Invitations and send to all his friends, ex-students, government officials and important personalities not only to those residing in the vicinity of the school but all over Goa. Separately he would make announcements thru the local media. The greatness of the Meet during Fr. Mendonca’s time surrounded on the Tableau of which type you don’t see anywhere in Goa now, leave aside at Arpora. He used to display latest incidents and events taken place not only in Goa but all around the globe, the election of the Pope somewhere in 1959 was the most striking display. The other was this: Somewhere in 1959 the renowned Portuguez terrorist Galvao Pinto hijacked in the deep sea, off the Azores Coast, the Portuguez Ship Santa Maria killing its Captain and creating havoc with the passengers. This was very beautifully displayed by Fr. Mendonca.
Seen is one section of the huge crowd attending the Meet.
The Chief Guest was none other than the ex-student of this great school, Raymond D’Sa who finished his Matriculation thru this school in mid-fifties. Raymond D’Sa was one of the best students of this school during his school days excelling not only in studies but also in extracurricular activities and sports being his forte and even representing his school soccer team. Then he went to Kuwait where he joined the prestigious Bank – The National Bank of Kuwait where he worked for about half a century and retired recently. A father of 3 children all are based in USA and he settling down in Goa at Nagoa-Bardez in the absence of his beloved wife who expired a few years back in Kuwait, Raymond D’Sa’s love for Goa, Goan language Konkani, Goan culture, tradition, history, folk songs and folk tales is supreme.
Seen above is the School building.
In Kuwait not only among Goans but even among Indians and other nationalities he earned name and fame for himself as a promoter of sports in Kuwait among the expatriates and promoting soccer was his unique especiality. He was the founding president of one of the renowned Goan organisations the “GOAN OVERSEAS ASSOCIATION” that has created more ripples among Goans than anyother G.O.A. established by the overseas Goans. Under his dynamic leadership which was based on his understanding carefully of the prevailing situation, patience and logic, he worked successfully as president for about 40 years. G.O.A. Maroons was the renowned soccer team of G.O.A. among the expatriates in Kuwait that was the force to reckon with for many years and this Goan team had a unique distinction of winning the “Forest of Dean RA” Throphy. This team at that time played in the difficult conditions and time even at midnight and defeated all the hard opponents even from the Westerners.
Starting point of Hundred Metres race for boys.
As a president Raymond D’Sa whose craze and extreme love for soccer did everything within his capacity to help his boys to overcome all the hurdles to reach to the top and spent lot of money from his own pocket. He was the most clean president among all the Goan presidents of Goan teams and associaitons. Besides, he was the unscandalised person among all the prominent Goans always preferring to be a simple, decent and unpompous. He was even after shouldering the presidency of G.O.A. for such a lengthy period, never found committing a goof in his lengthy public life in Kuwait since the formation of G.O.A.Maroons by amalgamating two existing teams, one headed by Peter D’Souza and the other by Domnick Correia.
Starting point for 100 metres race for Girls.
This man has got vast potentials to do something for Goa in different fields and he is still having his youthfulness, someone must avail of his talent and experience. He worked as a high profile executive in the Bank holding the top managerial position of which type none of the Goans in Kuwait held. He brought great honour for Goa and Goans.
One of the Drill items based on Yoga - all girls displaying their talent .
In his scholarly speech during the sports Meet, with his beautiful eloquence, appropriate vocabulary and perfect clarity he expressed the greatness of this school, his memory of those days’ Sports at Arpora and of course not forgetting Fr. Mendonca who brought honour, respect and dignity for this school. Will we ever get another Fr. Mendonca again? I doubt, because such personalities comes in our society only once in centuries.
Seen above is Relay Race for girls in progress, 4 x 100 mtrs.
No doubt the level of sports was not as good as it was during my days but during my days we were different type of boys while currently they are like tiny tots dotted with innumerable Allappas, Chalappas, Bassappas. The meet was well attended by a huge crowd of spectators. At the dais one could see occupying the strategic chairs by the Chief Guest, Principal of the School and Manager of the Meet Fr. Urbano Menezes, Head Master of the school Rodney Pereira and others.
Seen above is my teacher Lino D'Souza.
My nostalgic feelings aroused when I stepped on the ground and especially when I met some of my old school colleagues and teachers especially Mr. Lino D’Souza from Guirim who was my teacher and the best friend, best guide and best tutor.
Seen above is one of the Drill items
.If I succeeded in finishing my SSC then it was partly because of him who was constantly after my studies knowing well that being the topmost athlete of Goa and one of the best foot-ballers of Goa representing the then mighty SESA GOA, I am having lot of obstacles. Sir Lino, I am grateful to you for all what you have done to me.
The most dangerous item performed by the most courageous young boys.
A.Veronica Fernandes.