Report by Mario Alejandro Jacinto M Neri

The Xavier University - Ateneo de Cagayan Junior High School Guidance Center organized a three-day training for class moderators from June 3 to 6. Following the Excellence+ theme of XUJHS this school year, the training provided the class moderators with various workshops to help them dispense their duties and responsibilities more effectively.

With facilitators coming from the different offices under the XUJHS formation cluster, the training served as an avenue for class moderators to learn new or updated facilitation strategies and to revisit the school programs, policies, protocols, and procedures that are included under the moderators’ scope of responsibility.

The homeroom guidance modules for this school year were also discussed by the guidance counselors with their respective grade level moderators.

Joseph Seth V Saga, assistant principal for formation, opened the training by giving a recap on the primary roles of a class moderator. Icebreakers and the first-week orientation module were also demonstrated during the training.

Excellence start

Jet Hokin Paclar, XUJHS prefect of students, introduced a new habit program designed to achieve a better well-being.

Dubbed as Excellence Start, this daily morning mindfulness and reflection activity serves as XUJHS’ way of helping the community members, most especially the students, to combat stress and anxiety which may trigger the onset of depression and suicidal tendencies.

There are different themes for each day of the week: (1) Mindful Monday, (2) Thoughtful Tuesday, (3) Well Done Wednesday, (4) Thankful Thursday, and (5) Forgiving Friday.

This habit program will be implemented starting this July as part of the daily routine and regular culture on the campus.

WORKING TOGETHER. Class moderators try out some activities that they will facilitate during the student orientation week. Supplied photo.

Ignatian moderatorship

XUJHS chaplain Fr Arthur Nebrao SJ presented the unique qualities of a moderator in a Jesuit school. Using a framework that emphasizes the characteristics of Jesuit education, he stressed how this set of qualities brings a distinctive brand to an Ignatian moderator.

These qualities include magis, cura personalis, being a person for others, being an enabler of change agents, being a formator of the mind, heart and soul, and doing all things for God’s greater glory.

SHARING INSIGHTS. Moderators demonstrate the different activities to have a better understanding of the theme for this school year, Excellence+. Supplied photo.

Responding to prevalent psychological cases

The Psychosocial Services Division head of the City Social Welfare and Development, Jaymee Leonen, also gave a talk on handling students at risk for anxiety, depression, and suicide ideation.

She shared the importance of teachers in maintaining the healthy well-being of the youth and reminded them that in cases wherein they, themselves, have anxious and depressive tendencies, they must first manage themselves before helping others.

The three-day training ended with a commitment setting and a send-off mass.

Part of the Eucharistic celebration was the ceremonial donning of Excellence+ badges on the shirts of the class moderators. These badges signify the formative mission of the class moderators and the confidence entrusted by the XUJHS community to the new set of class moderators this school year.

SUPPORTING ONE’S VISION. The class moderators huddle in front of the Saint Ignatius of Loyola statue to read out their commitments and their shared vision for the school year. Supplied photo.