(From left) Pedro Kellman with his daughter Cian Kellman, Dwayne Marshall and his son Isaiah Marshall, and Malcolm Springer and son Nickolai Springer. The fathers were attending an event to mark Father’s Day at the St. Bonifice Nursery school in Sion Hill, St. James.
St. Boniface Nursery toasts Bajan fathers
6/20/2012
This year’s Father’s Day celebrations at the St. Boniface Nursery School in Sion Hill, St. James easily surpassed the Mother’s Day programme last month.
This was according to acting Principal Valerian Millar who said that the school was keen to observe Father’s Day to highlight the important role of fathers in their children’s lives, much like the school’s Mother’s Day celebrations in May.
“We conceptualised this [event] because the fathers were complaining that they were being sidelined all of the time… and so we decided that we would have a day for the fathers at the school this morning.
“The Mother’s Day [event] was special but we wanted to make this one extra special for the dads.”
The children sang songs, recited poems and presented their dads with tokens of their love and appreciation, such as variously themed cards and hand-painted mugs.
Millar explained that the children worked very hard for several weeks in preparation of the day, which she opined was a wonderful success.
Following the programme, the over 80 fathers, grandfathers, uncles, step-fathers and even some godfathers in attendance were treated to a special toast to their familial duties.
In addressing the fathers, Millar told them that they are “important and valued” in the Barbadian society and urged them to be good role models because their children “are watching and walking in their footsteps”.
Reverend Frederick Bailey, who is not only a father but also a teacher at the school, was also a part of the entertainment, doing a relevant dramatic piece entitled “Fathers”.
The young pupils enjoyed showcasing their talents and well-rehearsed pieces, with many fathers expressing their pride with the constant snapping of pictures.
Millar opined that the programme was “very well-received” and is quite certain the event will now become an annual fixture on the school’s activity calendar.
Father Philmore Broome expressed that Barbadian fathers must be more involved in their children’s lives, stating, “[The] old-fashioned style of being a father to me is not cutting it anymore. Just providing the finance is not enough, they must show more love”. (EL)
