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| Principal of School, Mrs. Alice Swanston standing behind the podium, (l-r) Vice President of the PTA, Mr. Stephen Hanley, Education Officers Mrs. Averille Elliott and Mrs. Florence Moving, and Advisor to the Premiers Ministry, Mr. Llewelly Parris join in the singing of the National Anthem at the Charlestown Primary School patriotic program. |
Charlestown Nevis (September 16, 2006) Nevisians began to celebrate the Federation's 23rd anniversary of Independence, when on Friday 15, a number of schools across the island held their patriotic program.
The schools which participated in the activity were the Charlestown Primary, the Charlestown Preparatory and the Ivor Walters Primary. A member of the Nevis Island Administration was the Guest Speaker at each function.
The Charlestown Primary School was the first to hold their concert at the school compound. Advisor in the Premier's Ministry, Mr. Llewellyn Parris was the Guest Speaker who spoke to the students. He noted that he was honoured to ask to speak at the school and that he was thrilled to hear the students sang the National Anthem.
"It is one of the best I've heard from children singing the National Anthem," he stated. Mr. Parris who spoke on the theme "Partnership, Discipline and Productivity for a Transformed Country" called on the students to be discipline in whatever they do and to put country or even their school above themselves.
Minister of Communications, the Hon Robelto Hector was the Guest Speaker at the Charlestown Preparatory School. He noted that he was happy to extend brief remarks as a member of government.
"Today we are here to celebrate our heritage and indeed as we celebrate our heritage, it is time for reflection," he told the teachers, students and parents at the Charlestown Methodist Church Hall.
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| Preschoolers at the Charlestown Preparatory School contribute to the program |
The Communications Minister pointed out that one should see the celebration of Independence as a stage in the country's development. "We have journeyed since 1493 when there was a discovery by Columbus. As a Federation, in 1623 and 1628 we boast of these islands being settled and by 1671 we were a part of the Leeward Islands grouping, another stage of our development.
"By 1871, Dominica joined us as a member of the Leeward Islands. Indeed these administrative changes were changes in our development & and so in 1983 we became independent. I could only ask of you to be proud. We became the 158 member of the United Nations and indeed that was a crowning moment and a crowning achievement for us as a nation," said Minister Hector.
The students exhibited an array of talent in songs, poetry and drama as they sought to give their views on the meaning of independence.
At the Ivor Walters Primary School, Minister of Youth, the Hon Hensley Daniel was the Guest Speaker, who spoke on behalf of the Nevis Island Administration.
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| Students of the Charlestown Primary School |
He told the students that it was the quality of their behaviour that would determine their success as a people and the success as a country. "I want to suggest to the students in the school, that the thing which will separate us in Nevis from the rest of the Caribbean, from the rest of the world is the quality of our respect, the quality of our manners and the quality of our discipline," he added.
"If we can do that we will be able to achieve all the things we want to achieve as an independent country."
Education Officers as well as parents, guardians and members of the Parent Teachers Association attended the school's patriotic program. On Monday September 18, the remaining primary schools are expected to host their patriotic program.
