Students take the lead

The students of Gordon Greenidge Primary School are ready to prove that they “are not too young to lead”.

Celebrating “Students’ Week” the youngsters will be responsible for conducting assembly each morning; ringing the bells throughout the day; shadowing teachers during lunchtime supervision; leading students to the bus every afternoon; helping keep order in the snack line; and the juniors will have story-time with the children in the infants department.

The officially launch took place at the Upper Rock Dundo, St James School yesterday, with each child receiving a pin with the words “I am a Winner”.

Minister of Home Affairs and MP for the St. James North area, Edmund Hinkson commended Principal Dr. Angela Smith and her staff on the initiative as well as urged students to wears their pins with pride.

“What your school is doing is part of the process that will lead you and help you to have tremendous confidence in yourself to resolve conflict and manage angry,” he explained to the students.

“You have tremendous self-worth, so don’t let anyone whether a relative, a class mate or someone within your community try to demean you… You can achieve anything that you want to achieve once you put your mind to it – once you are determined to do it.”

Minister of Labour and Social Partnership Relations and MP for St. Peter, Colin Jordan expressed that Students’ Week, “will let some students act as though you were teachers – those things that teachers do – that is part of your training to become a good, productive adult.”

In fact, he told the students that they are not too young to be leaders, “And you are definitely not too young to be good leader. So, I want you to recognise your leadership role.”

“You are not too young to speak up about values; you are not too young to tell people they shouldn’t angry because someone stepped on your toe – you have the responsibility and I am encouraging you to use your responsibility well – use it wisely. Understand your role in this school, in your communities; in your home; in your country and in your world,” Minister Jordan added.

Senior Education Officer Dr. Christina Morris said that the establishment of student councils and the selection of student leaders in schools are practices that are encouraged and supported by the Ministry of Education, Technological and Vocational Training.

“These practices support the view held by us, that as educators we are required to focus on developing the whole child, through exposure to various activities,” she pointed out.

“Education, training and development which involves imparting knowledge and skills and the preparation of individuals for making meaningful contributions to the Barbadian society is vital for the country’s continual development and sustainability”.

Reflecting on the theme “Call me a Winner”, retired Director of Parent Education for Development in Barbados (PAREDOS), Marcia Graham, told the students that they must be willing to put in the work in order to be winners.

“If you are going to be a winner, you must have that attitude that says – I can do it; I want to do it. I want to do my homework on evenings before I go to play. I want to get all my work correct in class. I want to carry myself well; my deportment must be good, I want to speak well…”

Mrs. Graham, a retired educator also explained the importance of investing time in developing one selves; becoming well-rounded individuals – good in school and in sports and a good relationship with friends and family.

“You must be willing to work. You must never give up…When you do not give up, you succeed. So, never stop trying; never stop using your initiative; ask as many questions as you want; be willing – and when you never give up you will be a great success,” she assured. (TL)