Tag: Psychology

EduConnect

Academic Resource Room Inaugurated at St Xavier’s High School, Moira with Support from PACT Foundation

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral

St Xavier’s High School, Moira, has taken an important step in strengthening its commitment to inclusive and quality education with the inauguration of a dedicated Academic Resource Room, established with the support of the PACT Foundation. The inauguration was held in the presence of Auxiliary Bishop Simiao Purificacao Fernandes, Dr Ashwin Fernandes, Founder of the PACT Foundation, Headmistress Noreen Dias and Manager Fr Alexander Pereira. The ceremony began with a solemn welcome, followed by prayers and blessings over the new facility. A marble plaque was unveiled and the ribbon was cut to mark the formal opening of the room. Students presented a prayer dance and a reflective monologue, creating an atmosphere of dignity and inspiration.

In his message, Bishop Fernandes drew on the example of St Francis Xavier, highlighting the acronym SFX – Space, Fostering and ‘Xtra’. He explained that the new space was created to nurture curiosity, encourage growth and provide students with the tools, support and guidance they need to learn without struggle. He emphasised that the room is designed to foster excellence not through comparison, but through collaboration and the discovery of individual potential. Whether for remedial learning, creative projects or skill development, the space invites both teachers and students to go the extra mile and to embrace lifelong learning. He also recognised Dr Ashwin Fernandes for his dedication in extending similar educational initiatives across several schools in Goa.

Dr Fernandes expressed his appreciation for the school’s commitment to student welfare and outlined the purpose behind the new Academic Resource Room. He described it as a safe haven for students who require additional academic support and a vital space for specially-abled children, made accessible by its location on the ground floor. He shared that the project forms part of the PACT Foundation’s Happy School Project, an initiative aimed at enhancing the quality of education in rural Goa. Since 2023, the Foundation has been working to strengthen under-resourced schools by improving infrastructure, integrating technology and promoting inclusive learning environments. He reaffirmed the Foundation’s mission to provide every child with access to quality education and highlighted the room’s role in supporting students who wish to use it for extra study, equipped with a smart board and modern facilities.

Headmistress Noreen Dias expressed deep gratitude to the PACT Foundation for its consistent support through multiple projects, including the renovated pre-primary playground, the smart classroom and now the Academic Resource Room. She shared that creating such a room had long been her dream, especially for the children with special needs at the school. She noted that the use of modern technology, including the smart board, white board and improved furniture, would motivate students and significantly support their learning. She was particularly relieved that the room is located on the ground floor, making it easily accessible for a specially-abled student who previously struggled to reach the earlier resource space on an upper floor.

Fr Alexander Pereira, Manager and Parish Priest of Mary Immaculate Conception Church, Moira, described Dr Fernandes as a blessing to the school and highlighted the numerous projects the PACT Foundation has supported, including the playground for pre-kindergarten students and the smart classrooms. He expressed his hope that this meaningful collaboration would continue to enhance the facilities available to children in Moira and the surrounding areas. The launch of the Academic Resource Room stands as a testament to the school’s vision of providing an environment where students feel respected, supported and encouraged to reach their fullest potential.

Human Interest

The Otrovert: A Newly Identified Personality Type That Defies Introvert-Extrovert Labels

Tanisha Cardozo

Psychiatrists may have found a new piece in the puzzle of human personality. Introducing the “otrovert” — a term coined by psychiatrist Rami Kaminski to describe people who don’t fit neatly into the classic categories of introvert or extrovert. Instead, Otroverts are emotionally independent, resistant to social mirroring, and oriented in a completely different direction than those around them.

Kaminski, who initially introduced the idea in New Scientist and further explores it in his forthcoming book The Gift of Not Belonging: How Outsiders Thrive in a World of Joiners, says this personality type is both real and common — though often misunderstood. The word “otrovert” comes from the Spanish otro, meaning “other”, paired with the psychological suffix “-vert” to denote orientation. Originally born as a joke among his team, the idea evolved through clinical observation and personal reflection.

Unlike introverts who draw energy from solitude or extroverts who thrive in social settings, otroverts appear to operate on an entirely different emotional axis. They tend not to absorb the emotional states of those around them — something Kaminski calls resistance to the “Bluetooth phenomenon,” where people emotionally pair with those nearby. Instead, otroverts maintain a distinct internal emotional tone, often allowing them to remain calm and clear-thinking in high-emotion group settings. This, Kaminski argues, can foster originality, critical thinking, and a deep sense of personal integrity.

He recounts a childhood memory — standing in a scout uniform, saying the pledge while others around him were visibly moved. He, by contrast, felt nothing. Not out of indifference, but because he didn’t emotionally sync with the group. It was a moment that, in hindsight, revealed the traits of an otrovert.

Kaminski believes many famous figures may have shared this disposition — including Frida Kahlo, Franz Kafka, Albert Einstein, and George Orwell. These individuals often stood emotionally apart from their peers, and their distance may have enabled some of their most revolutionary insights.

Although being an otrovert can come with social challenges — especially during adolescence, when belonging feels paramount — Kaminski sees it as a potential strength. He stresses that what is often labeled as emotional detachment or even dysfunction could actually be a gift. Rather than pathologizing this trait, he urges educators, therapists, and families to see it as a unique emotional and cognitive orientation, one deserving of understanding and support.

Kaminski is now calling for more research into the origins and mechanisms of this personality type, hoping that future studies will uncover how otroversion develops and how it can be nurtured in a world still largely oriented toward joiners.

As the psychological community begins to engage with this idea, the question remains: Are you an otrovert — and what could that mean for how you think, feel, and connect with the world?

Social

St. Francis Xavier Church, Duler, Shines Light on Mental Health with Awareness Programme

allycaralgoa

The Social Apostolate Cell and Family Apostolate Cell of the St. Francis Xavier Church, Duler, Mapusa, Goa, recently took a significant step towards promoting mental health awareness in their community. On 9th February 2025, the parish organized a comprehensive awareness programme on mental health, facilitated by renowned psychologist and counsellor, Ms. Ketaki Parob Gadekar.

The event, which drew a crowd of nearly 200 people, was a resounding success. Participants greatly appreciated the programme, expressing their gratitude for the insightful information and expert guidance provided by Ms. Gadekar and her team. The audience was also eager to learn more, posing a multitude of questions related to mental health.

Ms. Gadekar and her team addressed these queries with sensitivity and professionalism, dispelling many common myths surrounding counselling and mental health. The programme’s impact was evident in the enthusiastic response from the attendees, who requested more such initiatives to be conducted in the future.

The parish recognizes that mental health is an essential aspect of overall wellbeing and is committed to creating a supportive environment that encourages open dialogue and empathy. By organizing this awareness programme, the St. Francis Xavier Church, Duler, has demonstrated its dedication to promoting mental wellbeing and responding to the deeply felt needs of its community.

The success of this initiative serves as a testament to the power of community-driven efforts in promoting mental health awareness. As the parish continues to organize more programmes and activities focused on mental wellbeing, it is clear that the St. Francis Xavier Church, Duler, is at the forefront of creating a more compassionate and inclusive community.

Key Highlights:

  • The awareness programme on mental health was organized by the Social Apostolate Cell and Family Apostolate Cell of the St. Francis Xavier Church, Duler.
  • The event was facilitated by psychologist and counsellor, Ms. Ketaki Parob Gadekar, and attended by nearly 200 people.
  • The programme aimed to educate the community about mental health, dispel common myths, and provide resources for support.
  • The parish plans to organize more programmes and activities to promote mental wellbeing and respond to the needs of its community.