Westwood High School celebrated its 135th anniversary with a worship service and impressive display of the talents of its students at the school’s auditorium, on Sunday, January 22.
The service, on the school grounds in Stewart Town, Trelawny was one of several events, through to next January, to observe the anniversary of the all-girls institution.
A past student, Baptist minister Stacey Lalor-Knowles, in delivering the sermon, spoke proudly of her time at Westwood more than two decades ago and said the institution had shaped her in positive ways. She said its graduates remained ladies of character, high qualities and charm. Rev Lalor-Knowles urged the school to remember where it was coming from, rejoice in where it has reached and use the occasion of its 135th anniversary for renewal. She said, “Westwood continues to be a bastion of excellence” and a pillar of the nation’s education system. Speaking directly to the students at the service, she said they should “make the most of these days because these days really count.”
The high standards of the school, the contribution of its principals, teachers and staff in helping to create young ladies of strong character who contribute to every sphere of national life were repeated sentiments through the nearly three-hour long service. It was interspersed with entertainment and praise items from students and staff.
In bringing greetings, member of parliament for South Trelawny, Marissa Dalrymple Phillibert, an old girl, also joined in the sentiments as did Rickaye Brown, president of the Westwood Old Girls Association. “Westwood continues to make a lasting difference in the lives of so many of us,” Mrs Dalrymple Phillibert said.
President of the Jamaica Teachers Association (JTA) Howard Isaacs also brought greeting and said how impressed he was by the school. He urged the girls to be the standard. He said their stance should be “I am the standard, I attend Westwood.”
The occasion was also one at which Board chairman Aston Rowe committed to having a science lab established by year end. He said there had been much talk about it, including by the Ministry of Education, certainly for the last six years or so since he has been chairman but now “it is absolutely necessary.” He appealed for donations and contributions to make it possible.
In saying thanks to all for their contribution to Westwood’s progress so far “on the journey” and celebrating the achievements of the school, principal Karen Francis took up on the sermon’s charge. She said the school would remember, would rejoice in its achievements and celebration and would seek renewal.
There were some powerful performances with musical instruments, dance, song and choral speaking. None was more powerful than that of Keian Martin and Orneica Williams in ‘He’ll do it again’. Miss Williams voice and apt gestures brought the house down, eliciting thunderous applause.
In the audience were many past students, community members and educators, including some who had served at Westwood.
