The small ones, decked out neatly in their caps and gowns were the centre of attention and the subject of cheers at their ceremony marking the end of their time at Bamboo Basic School, St Ann.
The over three-hour ceremony was held at the Bamboo New Testament Church of God and was chaired by Janet Small. Twenty-eight students, 12 of them girls were listed as completing up to three years at the school and moving on to other institutions, at the primary level.
The programme was dominated by the school leavers who did several items as well as introduced the chairperson and the guest speaker. The students bravely took on their tasks whether singing or doing recitations, with the help of attentive teachers. Assisting the children through the programme were teachers Melvilee Henry Palmer and Janet Scott. Other teachers are Melonie Williams and Yanita Murray-Smith
Chairman of the school board Charles Tait brought greetings on behalf of the management committee.
Principal Lorraine Jobson Beckford gave a detailed report in which she thanked teachers, parents and supporters for their assistance over the year. She singled out for special attention and called to the platform, Eva Blake well known to the school as Miss Merle, who is responsible for keeping the children and school clean.
Mrs Beckford said the school wants to create a specific play area and acquire appropriate equipment for it for the coming academic year. She recalled the very many events at the school through the year including parents day, career day. Labour Day, parents evening and Christmas Treat. She also thanked those including “foreign friends” for their contribution to school.
Guest speaker Diana Murphy in a lengthy interactive presentation demonstrated the importance of the word “pull” and encouraged parents to keep supporting their physical and other needs and pulling up their children and to avoid discouraging them.
The high point of the afternoon was the presentation of certificates and trophies for spelling and poster competition as well as the group of children who were high achievers. Top male was Anthoneil Dixon and top girl Trishawn Haughton. They accumulated points over their three years at the school. Trishawn was also named the top student overall, beating Anthoneil by two points.
