'Children's principal' given farewell

Patna: There were hugs, greetings and good wishes for Fr Peter Arockiasamy as the St Michael's High School family bade adieu to their principal of 13 years at a colourful function organised on the school campus on Saturday.
Led by the school band, Fr Peter made a grand entry with students clapping, cheering, whistling and waving at him in a display of their affection for, what he would prefer to be called, the "children's principal".Commencing his final assembly address with the song "Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice", Fr Peter said, "I am going away happily after seeing a lot of changes in the school in the 13 wonderful years I spent on this campus." Advising the students not to be afraid of change, he added, "If we don't go, others can't get in."
The students lined up to present greeting cards, bouquets and gifts to the outgoing principal. In his address, replete with quotes from the Bible, songs and anecdotes, Fr Peter offered words of wisdom for students: read positive literature, focus on spiritual growth, smile, dress well, accept failure, be compassionate, cultivate a sense of humour, listen and be grateful.
School rector Fr Joseph Maripuram described Fr Peter as a deeply spiritual person whose life is rooted to prayers. "He has contributed immensely to the development of the school - from construction of a separate primary wing to freeing the campus from encroachments, a number of changes have taken place in the school since Fr Peter joined in 2003," Fr Maripuram said.
Sources said vice-principal Fr Edison J Armstrong will take charge as the principal on Monday while Fr Peter is headed for a six-month sabbatical after which he would be back in Patna in a new avatar to be based in St Xavier's High School.
The performances put up on the occasion by the Michaelites included a prayer song 'See you again', a classical dance presentation and a dance on 'Aashayein'. Another song 'His name is Fr Peter and he's the leader of the school' was specially written in his honour. The stage was decorated with a farewell message, 'With love and gratitude: Thank you so much Fr Principal. You have touched us and we have grown.' Physics teacher N K Pandey, school captain Vivek Kaushal and Shrishti from the primary wing expressed their gratitude towards Fr Peter and recalled his association with the school through their speeches. Vote of thanks was proposed by primary school headmistress Vishakha Sinha.