by Sunita D’Souza for BIS Mumbai

The 108th Annual Thanksgiving Day, the three-day jungle safari on February 6, 7 and 8, 2025, at St. Joseph’s High School, Wadala, began in full swing, gaining momentum in leaps and bounds, venturing into the spectacular musical extravaganza featuring ‘The Lion King’! With 900 students on stage from the tiny tots of the K.G. section and Stds. I & II in the prayer dance and welcome song respectively, Std. III students to the skilled teenagers of Std. IX, the run-through of their amazing display of talents, in the form of the musical, creating special effects, projected on the enormous LED screen, for the first time, on February 6, 2025, enthralled the non-participant spectators, with real ‘king-size’ jungle scenes, making the animal world come alive, on stage! 

The Guard of Honour lovingly ushered in the esteemed guests and made them feel at home. The Rector, Fr. James Nigrel warmly welcomed and introduced the Chief Guests on both days. 

On February 7, 2025, the Chief Guest, Mr Arvind Salve, IPS, a determined, dedicated and disciplined Superintendent of Police (HQ) for the Highway Traffic in Mumbai, and the Guests of Honour were the alumni of our Alma Mater, Mr Nimesh Grover and Mr Niket Shah from the batch of 1986 and 1997 respectively, generously contributed funds wholeheartedly for various school projects and are at the forefront of the Events Committee of the Past Pupils since the Centenary Year. The Members of the Management, the Rector, Fr James Nigrel, the Principal, Fr Solomon Rapol, the Vice-Rector and Administrator, Fr Bonny Borges and the Asst. Parish Priest, Fr Arul Nicholas, the Secondary Supervisor, Mrs Nagaprabha Rao, and the Primary Headteacher, Mrs Smitha Lewis warmly welcomed and felicitated the Chief Guest and Guests of Honour.

On February 8, 2025, the Chief Guest, Mrs K. Pradeepa, IFS, Chief Conservator of Forests, Thane along with the retired staff members, Mrs Matilda Fernandes (Primary Headteacher), Mr Angelo D’Cunha (Religion Sir), Mr Brahm Dev Pathak (Yoga Sir), Mrs Vimla Solanki (Support Staff Pre-Primary) and the Jubilarians, Mr Mahima Ranjan Let (Support Staff – Secondary) and Mr Prashant Sawant (Support Staff- Secondary) were honoured for their marvellous contribution in their fields of work, touching the lives of others with their love and selfless, dedicated service. 

The synopsis of the school report presented by the Principal, Fr Solomon Rapol encapsulated the awesome skills of the students in academics, sports, and varied extra-curricular activities, soaring high to greater heights of success, bringing laurels to St. Joseph’s.

The meritorious prize winners in different spheres of education were brought into the limelight, were congratulated and awarded shields and certificates for their praiseworthy achievements in the Prize Distribution Ceremony.   

The fascinating musical ‘The Lion King’ captivated the attention of the audience with the excellent, lion-hearted, jaw-dropping performances of all the students, dressed in fantastic costumes, melodious singing, graceful dancing and acting with perfect diction and expression, reliving every thrilling moment of the ‘King of the Jungle’! 

Fr Solomon Rapol proposed the Vote of Thanks giving thanks and praise to the director, Mrs. Asmita D’Souza, the choreographers, Mahesh and Deep, the technical brother duo, the past pupils Chris and Elon Farro for ‘state-of-the-art’ sound quality, the Secondary Supervisor, teacher Nagaprabha for coordinating the practice sessions and the entire team of St. Joseph’s who worked collectively as one family, to bring out the best in every student, making the Annual Day a grand success!