By: Gavincia Clarke
Nevispages.com
(CHARLESTOWN, NEVIS)- Under the theme, ‘You have the power to make a change’, forty-three students graduated from the Charlestown Primary School (CPS), on Thursday, July 3, 2014 at the Charlestown Methodist Church.
The church was crowded with well-wishers, family, friends, teachers, schoolmates and proud parents as 43 graduates escorted by the school’s principal, Mr. Kevin Barrett walked down the aisle of the church. They were followed by the other teachers of the institution. The ceremony was witnessed by Premier of Nevis, Hon. Vance Amory, area representative of St. Paul’s, Hon. Robelto Hector and other representatives from the Department of Education.
The afternoon proceedings began with the national anthem by the school choir; and this was followed by the invocation by Mrs. Ambrozine Thompson.
Mr. Kevin Barrett then gave an ‘Interactive Principal’s Report’. Impressively, this took the format of teachers from the school portraying reporters from different media houses and asking the principal several questions about the success of the school over the past year.
In his report the principal noted that 2013-2014 was a resounding success. He highly applauded his staff and boastfully stated that the CPS has the best teachers on the island. He also used the opportunity to thank the sponsors, the contributors and the parents.
In closing he wished the graduates well and asked them to remain focused at all times.
Education Officer, Mrs. Ermelita Elliot also gave remarks. Mrs. Elliot extended congratulations to the graduates and principal on behalf of the Department of Education. She advised the graduates to grasp every opportunity leading to the road of success. She also offered warmest congratulations to Jahvian Barrett who was placed in the top 10 and who obtained a 98% mark in Social Studies. The Education Officer commended the staff for a job well done. She encouraged the students to continue working hard.
Mr. Anselm Caines delivered the feature address. He told the graduating class that this was a moment for them to be proud since they had worked very hard, toiled extremely long and they had finally closed that chapter of their life called ‘primary school’.
Mr. Caines reminded the graduating class that as they close that chapter, a new one will open, and in that new chapter called ‘secondary school’, they will face new challenges that will make them realize that their journey to success is not complete.
Mr. Caines noted that the duty assigned to him by Principal Barrett is to tell the graduating class that this was not the end of the road but the road had only just begun. He continued, ‘Mr. Barrett begged me to impress upon you that you will not obtain your goals just by wishing, but your goals will be achieved by working. He also told me to tell you that if you want to realize success at the CSS, then you must still carry in your back pocket your primary school motto “The Palm is gained with Effort”.
In closing Mr. Caines took the opportunity to wish the graduating class the very best. He told them to continue to hold their heads high and always ensure that their words and actions are so positive and progressive, that whenever they walk through the streets of Charlestown, even the casual bystander will be able to look at them and say, ‘that student must have passed through the gates of the Charlestown Primary School’.
The Valedictory Speech was then read by Jahvian Barrett.
The distribution of certificates was done by Mrs. Lornette Roper who was also celebrating 40 years of contribution to the teaching profession. Ms. Angela Jones chaired the event and Mr. Paul Willett gave the Vote of Thanks.
The ceremony also saw entertainment which included poems and songs by the school choir and the graduating class.
Mr. Kisean Warner, a Culturama 40 Mr. Kool contestant also contributed to the event with a song.
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