Sr Molly Fernandes
Panaji, Aug 21: On August 21, in collaboration with the PTA, St. Theresa High School - Sto. Estevam organised the third annual Wordly Wits 3.o, social science inter-school quiz for neighbouring schools in the Ilhas, taluka.
The event aimed to be more than just a competition, serving as a platform for young minds to explore and engage with social sciences.
The event began with a prayer dance and a flowery welcome, followed by the unveiling of the official logo by the chief guest Fr Andrew Silveira, in the presence of Sr Liberata Fernandes the headmistress, Sr Hilda Lopes, the manager, Maria Acklin, the PTA chairperson, special guest Sr Molly Fernandes, the directress of Holy Family Communications Centre (HOFCOM), quiz masters, staff members and the students.
Sunil, the ex-chairperson of the PTA, said in his welcome address, a “spark has turned into a flame”, with 12 schools participating in this year’s edition, and accorded a warm welcome to the dignitaries, and all the schools participating in the event.
The anchor teacher Swizel Fernandes explained that the logo is a reflection of knowledge, creativity, and the global perspective that social science offers. The thoughtful design was broken down for the audience:
- Paper Mache rocks at the base symbolize the foundational layers of society-built from diverse ideas, moulded by history and grounded in creativity.
- A globe at the heart of the logo the globe radiates possibilities-symbolizing our interconnected world and the dynamic flow of ideas across borders.
- Two 2D human figures signify thinkers and changemakers.
- A quiz bubble highlights the joy of questioning, the thrill of discovery and the power of knowledge to transform perspectives.
- A Parliamentary house grounds the logo in the real world, reminding everyone that learning is a tool for shaping a better society.
A challenging competition
The competition featured five rounds designed to challenge the participants in various ways:
- Round 1: Trade your Choice (MCQ)
- Round 2: Basin Showdown Maze
- Round 3: Voices and Visions (Audio-visual)
- Round 4: Terra-Oceanic Spinner Round
- Round 5: Brain Blitz (Rapid-fire)
The quiz masters: Teacher Antonieta Dias and Teacher Franzia Pereira, were at their best as they held the preliminary rounds. Out of the 12 participating schools in the preliminary round, six advanced to the inter-school quiz. The winners were awarded trophies and certificates, and all participating teams also received a trophy and certificate in recognition of their efforts.
Headmistress Sr Liberata Fernandes addressed the gathering and applauded the students for taking part and encouraged them to keep abreast with the things taking place and to be aware of the recent happenings.
Chief guest engages and inspires
In a delightful interlude, the chief guest conducted a short quiz for the students, giving away chocolates for every correct answer. The chief guest also encouraged students to excel in their studies and strive for success in all their endeavours.
Triumphant winners and inspired participants
The results of the “Wordly Wits 3.o” Social Science quiz were as follows:
- First Place: Fr. Agnel High School, Pilar
- Second Place: Shri Saraswati High School, Juve-Tonca, St. Estevam
- Third Place: Our Lady of Merces High School, Merces
The quiz left a lasting impression on everyone who participated. Students from one of the participating schools shared their feelings about the experience: “We learned a lot, and it was both inspiring and knowledgeable. When we started the rounds, we were both nervous and eager to answer. In that bargain, we forgot some answers. Though we couldn’t put our hands on the trophy, we are proud of our effort”.
Students from Sarvajanik School shared a similar sentiment: “We learned a lot and were truly inspired. Next time, we aim to do even better. We are happy that we came and were part of Worldly Wits 3.o”.
The winning team from Fr Agnel High School, Pilar, shared their strategy for success. “We were nervous and anxious too, but we managed to keep our cool. We are very overjoyed to be the winners of Worldly Wits 3.o”.
Teacher Bonny Furtado of Fr Agnel School Pilar, explained the preparation process, noting that “the students were tutored on the given topics and trained to face a variety of questions”.
Even the host school’s team, while sad they didn’t win, showed great sportsmanship. “We did well, but we lost in the rapid-fire round,” a student said. “We’ll be back next year and aim to do better”.
The programme concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by Maria Acklin Fernandes the chairperson of the PTA, expressing gratitude to all who contributed to the event’s success. The well-anchored programme proved to be a resounding success, once again demonstrating the school’s commitment to fostering a love for learning among its students and the wider community.