Thanksgiving Lunch Senior School
Islam teaches us the lesson of equality and it is binding upon us to treat every individual of the society equally. The Holy Prophet (SAW), in his last sermon, declared that no man is superior to another on the basis of caste, colour or creed. With the same spirit, Lawrence College arranges a thanksgiving lunch every year for the support staff in order to honour their contribution and services. It also aims at making us realize how these employees serve us throughout the year. The purpose is also to instill the quality of humbleness among ourselves as everybody in this world is equal in the eyes of Allah Almighty. This golden tradition of Lawrence College was set by our worthy Principal five years back.
The Senior School hosted a sumptuous Thanksgiving Lunch to recognize the tireless and most valuable services of the support-staff in the Senior School Mess on November 6, 2019. The event was organized by the Intermediate Class under the guidance of the Vice Principal/Headmaster and the Housemasters. The lunch was held in the Senior School Dining Hall. Present on the occasion, were the Senior School janitors, peons, gardeners, mess & dorm-bearers, sanitary staff, runners, drivers, security guards, and other on-call attendants. The Gallians of Inter-20, including all the prefects, took pride in serving the support-staff with smiles and caring attitude; translating their worthy Principal’s sublime philosophy of humanism and goodwill into a sound reality.
For the support-staff, it was a very happy occasion; full of cheers, respect, and care. They were served a sumptuous lunch. The Principal thanked the junior staff for their devoted services and expressed his hope that they would continue with the same spirit next year. The support staff also thanked the Principal for encouraging them in such a nice way and recognizing their services.
Through this historic ceremony, the Principal also endeavoured to inculcate into the students, the worth of noble human and Islamic values that go hand in hand. Brushing aside sternly conventional administrative work-ways, the worthy Principal has always advocated and practiced a more embracing and natural administrative panache and aura, where education must not only remain a prerogative of the privileged class, but it must expand its wings also to accommodate, train and refine other people, working side by side with students and teachers at an educational institution. This is the true essence of education that the student community at Lawrence College will stash away as an asset to live a decent life.
Thanksgiving Lunch in Honour Of Junior Staff by Prep and Junior Schools
Thanksgiving Lunch was served in Prep School Mess to honour junior staff on Monday, 4 November, 2019. It also recognizes the hard work and struggle of the junior staff for the whole year. The Principal, Brig (Retd) Mujahid Alam, graced the ceremony as chief guest.
Ali Zain, the School Prefect, made a speech acknowledging the services of junior staff. He shared that their excellence in curricular and co-curricular activities might not be possible without the support of the junior staff. On behalf of all Gallians of Prep school, Ali Zain also thanked the honourable Principal for starting this new tradition in the near past.
The boys of Junior and Prep School served the lunch to the support staff. Thanksgiving Lunch is an important meal of the year. Thanksgiving lunch is a ‘Token of Thanks’ by the young Gallians for the untiring efforts of junior staff in every area of boarding life.
Thanksgiving Lunch sent a strong message to the Young Gallians to pay even additional respect and regard to junior staff and their services at every level. The Principal appreciated and thanked the junior staff for their work to facilitate the young Gallians.
All Pakistan Inter-Collegiate Bilingual Declamation Contest, 2019
All Pakistan Inter-Collegiate Bilingual Declamation Contest was held at Lawrence College on 24th of October, 2019. The audience had the opportunity to enjoy powerful speeches of best orators from all over Pakistan. Teams from different educational institutions including Punjab University Lahore, Government College University Lahore, FC College University Lahore, Army Burn Hall College Abbottabad, Cadet College Choa Saiden Shah, Chakwal, Cadet College Palandri, Garrison Cadet College Kohat, Malala Yusafzai Danish School Jand, PAF College Lower Topa, PAF College Sargodha, Military College Jhelum, Military College Murree, Military College Sui and Presentation Convent Murree visited Lawrence College.
The purpose of this competition was to provide the students of participating schools and colleges a forum to express their novel ideas, gain recognition and confidence. It also provided the students and teachers of these institutions an opportunity to come closer, understand each other and learn from each other’s’ experiences. Principal Lawrence College Brig Mujahid Alam (Retd) was the chief guest on the occasion.
Addressing the audience, the Chief Guest, at the very outset thanked all the guest teams for gracing the APDC. He said that he was very happy to be there listening to such wonderful speeches by the young speakers. Advising the students, he said that it is the content of a speech and not the loud voice that matters. He specially congratulated the position holders for showing outstanding performance. He specially felicitated the team of PAF College Sargodha for being the overall winners. He appreciated the standard of the declamation contest and commended the efforts of the organizers for arranging a successful contest.
In the end, the guests were served a sumptuous lunch.
Founders’ Day, 2019
159th Founders’ Day was held in Jamali Stadium on Thursday, 26th September, 2019. The young exhibited an excellent show of their organizational skills and coordination. Their wonderful show received applause from the spectators who enjoyed every minute of the event for which the students had prepared enthusiastically.
The chief guest was Chaudhry Mohammad Sarwar, the Governor of Punjab and Chairman Board of Governors, Lawrence College. A large number of guests, Old Gallians and parents attended the function. March Past, PT Display and prize distribution were the main features of the Founders’ Day proceedings.
The Principal Brig Mujahid Alam (Retd) presented the Annual Report of the College. He expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the Chief Guest and other guests for gracing the occasion. He thanked the chief guest for his continuous support in all the matters related to improvement and progress at the College. He told the guests and parents that the College administration is doing its best for grooming and training of the students. Highlighting the performance of Gallians in academics, the Principal said, “I am pleased to inform you that this year we have achieved excellent results in the Secondary School Certificate Examinations. In the Matric Examination 44 boys appeared and pass percentage was 100% with 36 boys getting A+ grade and 8 A grade. In Matric Part I Examination, 49 boys appeared and pass percentage was 100% with 48 boys getting A+ grade and 1 A grade. In the Intermediate Examination Part-II 62 boys appeared and the pass percentage was 99%. 29 boys attained A+ grade, 20 A and 12 got B grade while Muhammad Moiez got 2nd position in Rawalpindi Board Pre-Medical group. 12 students appeared in the ‘O’ Level Exam of Cambridge University with 100% pass percentage. Syed Mustafa Kamal scored straight 9 As. These results are one of the best ever attained by Lawrence College.”
The Chief Guest congratulated all the houses for their commendable performance. He specially congratulated Wightwick House for being the champion house and Walker House for being the Runners Up. He particularly mentioned that it was heartening to know that the Principal has restored the basic values and integrity of Lawrence College and is giving so much importance to academic excellence, character building, instilling moral values and ensuring merit in all activities. He said it was encouraging to know from the Principal’s speech that Lawrence College has produced excellent results in Matric Part-I, Part-II, O-Level and Inter Part-II Exams for the year 2019. He appreciated the efforts of the management, faculty and Gallians for the significant development in all spheres of life. In the end, the chief guest thanked the Principal Brig (Retd) Mujahid Alam and his staff for inviting him as Chief Guest.
The guests were served with refreshments at the end of the function.
Defence Day, 2019
Defence of Pakistan Day was celebrated at Lawrence with traditional fervour and enthusiasm. Students and faculty of the three schools assembled at the Yadgar-e-Shuhada in the morning of 6th of September. Principal LCGG was the chief guest of the ceremony. He, on his own behalf, on behalf of the faculty and Gallians, laid wreath at the Yadgar-e-Shuhada. Naara-e-Pakistan was raised as an expression of love for our sweet homeland.After the wreath-laying, Talha from Class IX recited some verses from the Holy Quran which were translated by Abdul Nafay from Class VIII.
The Principal, in his speech. said,“This day has great importance in our lives and we observe it nationally to pay homage and respect to all the Shuhada of Pakistan, whether they were army personnel, security agencies. civilians or policemen, who laid their lives in defence of their motherland. All of them are equally honourable and respectable for us.We must remember them and we must remember their sacrifice. They gave their lives for defence of the motherland. They gave their lives so that all of us could lead an independent, honourable and respectable life. Many of the shuhadawho gave their lives in East Pakistan, their bodies never came to their families. They are buried there and they are always remembered. We must also remember 14 Gallian shuhada whose names are inscribed here. We must remember that these shuhada did not give their lives as Punjabis, Sindhis, Pathans or Baluchis. They didn’t give their lives as Shias, Sunnis, BrailvisorDeobandis. They gave their lives as Pakistanis.I deliberately use the word Pakistani as one of these names is of Wing Commander Mervyn E.Middlecoat who was given Sitara-e-Jurat in 1965 and again in 1971. Middlecoat was a Christian but he was a Pakistani first and foremost. On this day, we need to pledge to make our nation strong as no one respects a weak country or nation. We should pledge to sacrifice the way these shuhada sacrificed. The most important thing for us is that we need introspection. We need to overcome our individual and collective weaknesses and have to strengthen ourselves with the power of knowledge.This Defence Day is significant asour Kashmiri brethren are passing through a great turmoil due to the atrocities of the Indian Government. The Indian Army is exercising all the cruel tactics that they can but I have staunch faith and firm belief that Kashmir will be free from this cruel occupation one day.I want all of you to keep it in mind that we need to fully support Kashmiris in their struggle till they win freedom. They have given great sacrifices. They are doing whatever they can do in their capacity. The courage and valour that the Kashmiri nation has shown is an example for us and the world.On this day, when we are remembering our shuhada and are praying for them, we should also remember Kashmiris alsoand should pray for them.”
Du’a for the protection and prosperity of Pakistan was offered by Hafiz Ata-ur-Rehman, Khateeb Senior School. The ceremony concluded with national anthem.
Sports Day, 2019
The Annual Sports Day was held on July 11, 2019 in the true spirit of sportsmanship, wherein students enthusiastically participated in different events. The function was attended by parents of the students and other guests from different walks of life. Brig Muhammad Asmat Baig Humaiyun (Retd), an illustrious old Gallian, graced the occasion as the Chief Guest.
Young athletes of the three schools put up a spectacular show in athletics, gymnastics, martial arts and archery. They received a big round of applause from the spectators. After the athletics competition, the chief guest, accompanied by the Principal, gave away the prizes. Wightwick House won Raza Shah Shaheed Trophy for the best house in athletics while Walker House won the Marching Cup. Rafiullah Achakzai was declared the best athlete.
The Principal, in his address on the occasion, thanked the chief guest, parents and other guests for sparing time to attend the function. He appreciated Gallians for the spirit of healthy competition and comradeship. He said that co-curricular activities have always remained a major segment of the wholesome grooming of the young Gallians at Lawrence College. Physical training and sports form an integral part of the daily routine of students. It enables a young Gallian to develop endurance, stamina, skills, confidence and, above all, a healthy competitive spirit. Promotion of sports culture is ensured through Inter-house sports competitions in all the three schools, where a large number of sports events like Football, Hockey, Cricket, Squash, Basketball, Athletics and Obstacle Competitions are held on a regular basis. Additionally, sports fixtures with some sister institutions also form part of the co-curricular activities of the institution.
The Principal also acknowledged the role of the Chairman and members of the Board of Governors who are extending all out support in the smooth functioning of the College. He also acknowledged the role of the Chairman of Executive Committee, Major General Amer Ahsan Nawaz, who is extending all out support in matters related to the College. He thanked the Heads of the three Schools, Faculty members and Administrative Staff who are working with full dedication and interest in raising the standards of the College. In the end, the Principal, once again, thanked the chief guest and parents for gracing the occasion.
The Chief Guest, in his address, thanked the Principal, staff and students for inviting him as the chief guest. He appreciated the excellent performance of Gallians. He congratulated Wightwick House for winning the coveted Athletics Cup for the year 2019 and Walker House for winning the Marching Cup 2019. He recalled the days when he was in Wright House. He commended the efforts of the present and past generations of great Gallians, the management and staff for achieving and maintaining high standards in academics, sports and co-curricular activities.
The ceremony culminated with National Anthem. All the guests were served with refreshments after the function.
Art Extravaganza, 2019
Art Extravaganza, which has become an annual feature of Lawrence College, was held on Thursday, 18th of April, 2019 revolving around the theme, ‘Kindness is always in Season.’ The Principal Lawrence College, Brig Mujahid Alam (Retd), was the chief guest.
Poster making, declamations both English and Urdu, solo singing, cultural dance, essay writing, calligraphy, Urdu mushaira and dough modelling competitions were held in different venues. All the fifteen participating schools and colleges took part in each activity. All these competitions were designed to make others aware of the importance of kindness, peace, cultural diversity, caring of special people, and exploring the talents of the individuals as well as groups in above mentioned areas. Basically, this effort was put to speed up the practical approach to observe Earth Day, accept cultural diversity, build a bias free society with a mixture of poetry and solo singing based on ‘Dosti’ theme.
The participating institutions included Army Burn Hall College for Girls Abbottabad, Beaconhouse School Abbottabad, Kid City High School Islamabad, Oxbridge Future Leader School Islamabad, Exploreville School Step Up Campus Rawalpindi, Bahria Foundation College, Westridge Rawalpindi, Bahria Foundation College, Ghouri Town, Islamabad, Bahria Foundation College, Satellite Town, Rawalpindi, Government Special Education Centre Jheeka Gali, The Educators Murree, Army Public School Cliff Den Camp, Presentation Convent Murree, Army Public School Kuldanna and St. Deny’s High School Murree.
After a sumptuous lunch, Junaid Abbasi, a visually impaired student from Government Special Education Centre Jheeka Gali, Murree, sang a beautiful song in his captivating voice and won the applause.
Principal Lawrence College Brig Mujahid Alam (Retd) gave away the prizes to the winners and position holders. Presentation Convent Murree outshone all the contestant-institutions and secured top position. Chaperones and judges of different events were given away the shields.
The Principal, in his concise speech, congratulated the position holders of all events however, he made it clear that he considered all the participants as winner because taking part in any co-curricular activity was itself an honour. He showed his utmost satisfaction at the standard which was displayed by the part-takers in the whole function. He particularly appreciated the students from Government Special Education Centre Jheeka Gali, Murree, who came and participated in the function. He further shared that we must give respect, honour and special care to these special children.
The Principal thanked all the participating institutions including all the concerned staff of Lawrence College for making the Art Extravaganza-2019, a memorable one. High tea was served at the end of Art Extravaganza.
Earth Day, 2019
Gallians of Prep School observed Earth Day on 22nd April, 2019. The Headmaster Prep School, Mr. Imtiaz Akhtar Ranjha, was the chief guest.
After the recitation and translation of the Holy Qur’an, Mustafa Ahmed Chaudhry of Grade-VII made a moving speech highlighting different angles of the Earth Day, its importance and significance in our lives. Mr. Waqas Nawaz, Lecturer in Social Studies, shared some key areas of global warming, its causes and trouble shooting. A video with the title ‘Protect our Species’, showing different aspects of the Earth Day, was watched by the boys in the Movie Hall. The boys enjoyed the video followed by an interactive session about Earth Day anchored by Mr Waqas.
In his brief address to the young Gallians, the Headmaster Prep School shared his views about environmental pollution along with spiritual and ethical pollution. He stressed the boys to follow the ways of the Holy Prophet (PBUH) to have a successful and pollution free life. He thanked all the staff for their contribution towards observance of the Earth Day.
Pakistan Day, 2019
Pakistan Day is an occasion when we recall the great contribution of our ancestors in creation of Pakistan and pledge to do our best in order to make our motherland prosperous and peaceful.
The celebrations for Pakistan Day at Lawrence College started with combined assembly in the Senior School lawn. Students and faculty from the three schools attended the assembly. The Principal hoisted the national flag. Naa’ra-e-Pakistan was raised by the students and faculty. Du’a was offered for prosperity of the country, peace and progress by Maulana Abdul Majid, lecturer Islamic Studies.
The formal function was held in Hamid Hall. Syed Wiqar Ali Shah, Dean Faculty of Social Sciences, Quaid-e-Azam University graced the function as the chief guest. The proceedings started with recitation from the Holy Quran by Muhammad Ali Waqar from Class VIII and translation by Ahmed Ali Qamar from Class VIII. Muhammad Uzair Baig of Class II from Junior School expressed his views about the importance of the day. It was followed by a national song by Junior School boys. Saad Amjad of Class VI from Prep School involved the whole gathering in making a pledge to be devoted and sacrifice everything for prosperity of Pakistan. After his speech, a medley was played by the Junior School students. Abdullah Tariq of Class XI from the Senior School talked about the sacrifices made during the Pakistan movement. Followed by this was a presentation titled ‘Qayaam-e-Pakistan, Tasawwar se Haqeeqat tak’ shown by Pakistan Studies Department, Senior School.
The chief guest, in his speech, dilated upon the historical development of the Ideology of Pakistan. He discussed the role of Sir Syed Ahmed Khan in enlightening the Muslims of the Subcontinent by establishing educational institutions for them. It was Sir Syed who made the Muslims realise that seeking modern education was the need of the hour. After that he discussed the creation of Muslim League at the start of the Twentieth Century as the Muslims needed an organisation that would serve as a symbol of identity and would fight for their rights. He also talked about the role of other Muslim leaders in Pakistan movement. In the second part of his speech, he dilated upon some of the events that took place after the creation of Pakistan including relations with the neighbouring countries like Afghanistan and India.
The profound and informative talk by the chief guest was followed by a lively question-answer session. The students asked very pertinent and interesting questions which were answered by the chief guest in a precise and frank manner.
The Principal expressed his sincere thanks and pleasure for such a valuable talk by the chief guest. He further said that we need to recall the purpose behind celebration of the day and reflect upon our actions so that we could contribute to our nation in a positive way.