Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Marian Fair 2008

When interviewed by two members of the Journalism Club about what our Principal, Sister Marie Harper thought about the fair these were her responses: she believed that the crowd had grown when compared to last year's Family Fun Fair, that the fair had receieved great advertisement, the entertainment was clean and well-suited for the occassion and that there was no need to worry about safety since security was well provided. Our Principal, Sister Marie, appreciated the fact that there was no anti-sociable behaviour among the attendees. She realised from observation that there was not a great change in the atmosphere when compared to last year's fair. She also noticed similar faces and congradulated all the students who worked together with teachers and parents in order to make their stall and the fair in general a success. She rejoiced when she saw co-operation between adults, adolescents and children, all aiming at one particular goal and putting their effort into what they were striving for. Sister Marie was also very pleased to see the number of past students who returned to lend a helping hand as well as the number of persons who worked in stalls and yet did not have any connection with the school. But her overall report was that she was having an enjoyable time and the fair was going great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Views of the Attendees

When asked about their views on the fair a wide variety of responses were given. Many believed that the fair was fun, excellent, cool, good, alright, great, that there were great sales, and a great turnout, that it was fantastic, that there was a great response to the promotion of the fair and that the games were good, excellent and fun. But although most of the views were good there were also some negative views on the fair as well. However, many parents suggested that the fair should have gone on a bit later and that for a children's fair, the food should not have been so expensive. But overall they were well pleased at the turn out and the enjoyable time they all were having. Generally, they believed that the fair was successful. Good Job Marian Academy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
-Raeanna Form 3(f)

Attrations of the day

The attractions at the fair were really successful - they surely did attract! Many young children and adults enjoyed the modest ferris wheel which had the longest line. Their screams could be heard around the softball ground. Another success was the jumping castle which attracted numerous little children, even secondary students in upper classes and graduates of Marian academy! These two attractions plus the donkey cart rides were the main attractions at the fair.The donkey cart was ridden by adults, teens, toddlers and children alike, and proved to be quite an unusual experience.
There were a variety of food and drinks on sale. Many classes' stalls sold food - ranging from cakes to pastries, puddings to meals. The bar was in the center of the ground and was very busy from the beginning of the fair. Beer, soft drinks, juices and water was sold, however, the biggest seller was ice-cream. There were sundaes, ice-craem sandwiches and popsicles. Almost everyone was seen savoring some form of ice-cream.
The raffle was drawn and announced by Mr. Lloyd King. Those winners at the fair were ecstatic and didn't hold back in expressing their surprise. Some of the prizes won were: a gold bracelet and two bicycles. Overall the diverse activities and interesting games made the fair an absolute sucess.
-Krysta Yan


A Few Reports on the Stalls

Ice Cream Stall [Primary 2-1]
The ice cream stall was located by the food stalls at the gate in a fairly large white tent with a cream coloured sign displaying the name. The popsicles and ice cream were kept in a cooler so thatt they would not melt. The stall was mangaged by two person: Ms. Debra Skeetes - a parent and Ms. Wauneta Fernandes - primary 2-1's class representative. This stall attracted a very large crowd and was so crowded that i could not get any ice cream for myself. The food stalls are always very popular.

Nerve Busters Stall [Primary 2-2]

The Nerve Busters stall was situated some distance from the ice cream stall and next to the stall which housed the game Stepping Stones. It comprimised a big tent with three tables under it. There was one person at each of the tables: Ms. Collins - our primary co-ordinator at one and Mr. Ryan Smason - Primary 2-2's class representative at one table and parents at the other two. On these tables were three Nerve Buster games. In this game there is an open circuit connected to a battery and bulb.There is a small object with which the player holds in the hand and has to move along the circuit without touching it. If you touch the circuit it will close and a bulb will light uop, if you touch it five times you lose the game. Although this game requires much skill and can be difficult, it still attracted a large crowd.
The fair, as a fund raising event, was quite enjoyable and the Ice-cream stall and the Nerve Busters stall both played a part in helping to make it a success.
-Althea McDavid

Ball In The Mouth Stall – Primary 3(1)
The Ball In The Mouth Game is a game where you try to get a ball into one of a few holes on the face of a clown. It is not such an easy task for the average child. Though at times there was a little crowd buildup, the wait was not long at all.

Cake Stall - Primary 3(2)
The Cake Stall looked like the stall that made the most profits. There were many varieties of treats such as buns, pastries and many various kinds of cakes, of course. The prices were very reasonable and at all times, there were many people waiting to purchase at the stall. By the end of the fair almost every food item at the cake stall was sold out.









-Mariah Low


The prep clases had a stall that added much more fun to the fair


Stepping Stones -Prep A(1) Headed by Teacher Sharon.
First you are measured.Then someone shows you which path to go to.If you are taller than the sign,you need to step on the stones with an umbrella and the bell.In order to win a prize,you need to step on all the stones without making the bell ring.

Clothes Pins-Prep A(2) Headed by Mrs Coxall.
In order to win a prize in the game, you must try to take as many clothes pins as you possibly can in just one hand.

Shy The Tin-Prep B(1)Headed by Mrs Camacho.
In order to win a prize, you must hit all the tins down with three balls.
Prep B(2)
Face Painting- Prep B(2)Headed by Teacher Uunika.

Mr. Wilkinson, our Art Teacher assisted with the face -painting in this stall.
Prep B (3)
Take A Pick- Prep B(3)Headed by Teacher Gillian
The prizes are rolled in pieces of paper and placed on a cardboard to be picked. Everyone wins a prize in this game.

-Noel Shewjattan



Thursday, April 17, 2008

Distribution of Conduct and Good Work Badges

On Wednesday, 9th April, Marian Academy distributed conduct and good work badges during the daily assembly. Conduct Badges are distributed to students whose conduct rating was an average of 9.7 and up from the past term. Good Work Badges were distributed to students whose average term percentage was 76 and above. Students who received these badges were called according to their houses, Our Lady of Guadeloupe, Our Lady of Coromoto, Our Lady of Fatima and Our Lady of Lourdes. The houses were awarded points by the students who received badges. As Sister Marie Harper called out the students to receive their badges, which were distributed by the house co-ordinators, the students showed mixed emotions. Sister Marie Harper and the assembly congratulated them with a healthy round of applause. The presentation concluded with the results of points awarded to each house. Sister Marie ended the assembly by encouraging all students to aim for good conduct and good work badges. The persons who received both badges were sent off stage first, and then the rest of students followed.
By: Kerri Yan

Tuesday, March 11, 2008

Commonwealth Day Ceremony




Commonwealth Day is celebrated on the second Monday of March every year.
Today, 10th of March, 2008 Commonwealth was observed in Marian Academy.
There was a procession of flag-bearers, pupils of Forms 2-1 & 2-2, who presented the Commonwealth countries and the years they became part of the association. It was beautiful to see all the different colours of the waving paper flags.
After the presentation, our very own history teacher Ms. Hemmie Glasgow read the Commonwealth message. Following, was special invitee Mrs. Mahadeo, a frequent visitor to Marian Academy explained the goals and achievements commonwealth wishes to accomplish in Guyana and other joint countries.
Mr. Andre Pompey, our Science teacher, covered the cake with icing when he presented a marvelous vote of thanks. Just after, the special invitees were escorted off stage.
Throughout the years Commonwealth Day has been observed in Marian Academy, this was probably the best.
By
Praneeta Persaud
Form 2-2
Report II
Today, the tenth of March, Commonwealth Day was acknowledged at Marian Academy. Commonwealth Day is recognised and commemorated on the second Monday in March every year. The Commonwealth ceremony took place in the school's auditorium with the gathering of teachers and students from both Primary and Secondary department at approximately 10:00am.The ceremony began with the singing of the National Anthem by all the attendees. Next, there was an opening prayer by Mr. Lloyd King who happened to be the Master of Ceremonies for this interesting event. There was a procession and display of the Commonwealth Flags by the students of Form 2(1) and 2(2) who enlightened us on the years these countries became members of the Commonwealth. Ms. Hemmie Glasgow gave the Commonwealth Day message which encouraged the conservation of our forests and the environment in general, also taking into consideration our future. Remarks were made by the guest speaker Mrs. Sumedeo Mahadeo (Botanist-Guyana Forestry Commission). She also congradulated Marian Academy on our full support in Forest Preservation. We then had an interpretive dance by a member of the dance club and a musical rendition(Song of Guyana's Children) was done by four students of Form 3(F). Mr. Andre Pompey gave the vote of thanks and the ceremony was called to a close with the singing of the School Song. Over all this ceremony was great and interesting!!!!!!!!!!!!!
By
Raeanna Clarke
Form 3(F)

Thursday, March 6, 2008

Marian Academy’s 2008 Debating Competition


This year’s debating competition was held in Marian Academy’s auditorium. The judges were Mr. Pompey the school’s Biology and Chemistry teacher, Mr. Charles the Geography teacher for the school and special invitee, Mr. Andrew Mendes.
This year’s moot was “A booming lumber industry is more beneficial than the preservation of our forests.” Our Lady of Guadeloupe as the proposition and Our Lady of Fatima as the opposition. Guadeloupe sent up Pascale Mendes as their first speaker, Krysta Yan as their second speaker and Mary Fung-a-Fat as their third speaker. While Our Lady of Fatima produced Prineeta Persaud as their first speaker, Jairo Rodrigues as their second speaker and Jana Edghill as their third speaker. Also Our Lady of Coromoto was the opposition and Our Lady of Lourdes the proposition. Our Lady of Coromoto sent forward Denesha Smith As their first speaker, Raeanna Clarke as their second speaker as their second speaker and Ashley Perune as their third speaker. Our Lady of Lourdes produced Kelicia Daniels as their first speaker, Meshach Pierre as their second speaker and Kia Beharry as their third speaker.
The teams battled for an hour with the following results; Our Lady of Guadeloupe with 200 points and Our Lady of Fatima with 215 points. The Best Speaker was awarded to Jana Edghill from Our Lady of Fatima. And Our Lady of Coromoto securing the victory in their round with 239 points and Our Lady of Lourdes defeated with 205 points. The Best Speaker was awarded to Denesha Smith from Our Lady of Coromoto.
In the senior division the moot was a more challenging one; “Cigarette smoking is more environmentally friendly than industrial development.” In the first round Our Lady of Lourdes faced Our Lady of Guadeloupe. Our Lady of Guadeloupe sent up David Lowe, Sarina Kawall and Vashkti Baksh as their 1st, 2nd and 3rd speaker respectively. While Our Lady of Fatima produced Micha Barton, Michelle Ford and Joseph Persaud as their 1st,2nd and 3rd speakers respectively. Our Lady of Guadeloupe stole the victory from Our Lady of Lourdes with 264 points and Our Lady of Lourdes scored 261 points. The Best Speaker was awarded to Aimara Pierre from our Lady of Lourdes. Meanwhile Our Lady of Coromoto accepted defeat from Our Lady of Fatima. Fatima scored 247 points while Coromoto scored 243 points. The Best Speaker was awarded to Michelle Ford from Our Lady of Fatima.
Overall, in first position was Our Lady of Coromoto with 482 points, in second position was Our Lady of Guadeloupe with 464 points, third position, Our Lady of Lourdes with 466 and Our Lady of Fatima with 462 points.


By

Allana Bose

Marian Academy’s 2008 Elocution Competition


Marian Academy held its annual elocution competition. The school’s houses took part in this competition. For the junior round of the competition, Our Lady of Fatima sent up Tiffany, Our Lady of Guadeloupe produced Samaria Deonauth, Our Lady of Lourdes sent Kimberly Camash and Our Lady of Coromoto produced Raeanna Clarke. In the senior round of the competition Our Lady of Guadeloupe sent up Tianne Anderson, Our Lady of Fatima produced Natasha Best, Our Lady of Coromoto sent ShaunĂ©e Thompson and Our Lady of Lourdes sent up Sophia Bess.
In the junior round, in first position was Our Lady of Coromoto, in second position was Our Lady of Guadeloupe, in third position was Our Lady of Lourdes and in fourth position was Our Lady of Fatima.
In the senior round, Our Lady of Coromoto snagged first position, in second position was Our Lady of Lourdes, in third position was Our Lady of Guadeloupe and in fourth position was Our Lady of Fatima.
By
Allana Bose

Marian Academy’s 2008 Republic Day Celebrations


Marian Academy’s Annual Mashramani Concert was held on the 22 nd of February, 2008 in the school’s auditorium. This year’s theme was “Let’s work together and celebrate in 2008.” The concert has been going strong for many years and has always been chair manned by the fifth formers, who always do an excellent job. The classes always awe the audience with their various performances, be it dance, song or poetry.
The opening ceremony of the concert was one to remember this year; it began with a parade by the Marian Academy drummers. All four verses of the National Anthem were sung in accordance with the Republic Day celebrations and a prayer was said by the school’s English teacher, Brother Banda. Also, Mashramani was defined by student Ashley Khalil and then the concert was declared open.
The little nurseries never cease to amaze us with their performances. Many of their classes dressed ethnically for the occasion and sang a variety of songs; the crowd was supportive and cheered the young ones on. They were also acrostics performed by the nurseries, they represented Mashramani and Guyana. Also the Marian Academy Dance Club was spectacular in their performance where the secondary students were on the stage, while the primary students entertained the audience by moving through them. They were a few technical difficulties but the performance managed to go on. Also the primary four students shocked the crowds where the boys and the girls performed; this was a first for the spectators. The primary choir sang “My Guyana Eldorado” from within the crowds; this year’s concert was indeed full of surprises! They were many other wonderful performances; too numerous to mention.
We can all agree that this year’s Republic Day Celebrations was greatly enjoyed by all those who spectated and presented. Hopefully next year’s celebrations will be bigger and better.
By
Allana Bose

Wednesday, March 5, 2008

Marian Academy Blood Drive


On St. Valentine's Day, 14th February, 2008, Marian Academy hosted the first blood drive by a school in the history of Guyana. This drive was in collaboration with The Guyana Red Cross and The National Blood Transfusion Service. The idea of hosting a drive at a school was to educate the children on the importance of giving blood and on how they could be a hero by simply encouraging someone else to donate blood or volunteer with a blood drive.


This resulted in 99 family members and friends of our school's students and teachers being prepared to give blood and a total of 77 units of blood being collected, the largest blood drive in Guyana!The Principal along with teachers and 19 students were all donors on that wonderful day!


Family members also donated enough snacks to feed the donors and to supply Red Cross for a few more of their monthly blood drives.


The school received a plaque of achievement and three certificates were distributed as follows:Child that had the most donors: Mickelly RahamanHouse that had the most donors: Our Lady of GuadeloupeClass that had the most donors: 4/F


Other than the plaque and certificates, a few people were specially thanked but there were so many more that the list would have been too long to mention every one. The students played a huge role from beginning to end, the seniors made decorations and posters, and helped with the organisation, the primary made beautiful 'thank you' for our donors.


Through this drive we hope to achieve the education of life saving! A life savers club will be formed at Marian academy of which over 50 senior students have already shown interest. This will begin in the new term.


We look forward to next year when we can do this again with much more experience!!!


By

Mrs.Nicky Mendes