President Jeffrey Bostic has commended St Patrick’s Roman Catholic Primary School for embodying what he called “a unique school” — one that blends faith, community and Caribbean identity in a way that sets it apart from others across Barbados.
At a visit to the Bay Street school, the President pointed to the fact that it is one of the few remaining church schools in Barbados, describing that as a defining strength.
“I think that this school is a unique school,” he said. “You are a church school. The other schools… have Inter-School Christian Fellowships. You don’t need that; your entire school is already a Christian fellowship. That is a strength.”
The visit formed part of his ongoing school tour across Barbados, aimed at encouraging students and engaging educators amid current social challenges affecting young people.
The morning’s proceedings reflected that uniqueness as students who are part of Kiwanis Kids led the welcome and school pledge. The school then sang They Will Know We Are Christians by Our Love, followed by a spoken-word performance by Class Three pupils titled Iz a Bajan, which highlighted local sayings and culture.
Class three students performing spoken word. (Photo Credit: Lauryn Escamilla)
The President also presented trophies to the school’s top-performing athletes from NAPSAC, using their achievements to underline that size does not limit success.
“Your smallness cannot and must not stop you from achieving… it doesn’t matter how small a school you may be, you can achieve, and you are achieving,” he said.
A major part of that uniqueness, he added, lies in the school’s regional diversity, with students attending from across the Caribbean — something he said offers an experience few other schools can match.
“You have the opportunity here… to have our children integrated in a way that hardly any other school in this country has. That’s a strength,” he noted.
“This provides the opportunity for Barbadian children to learn about other islands… not through textbooks, but through lived experiences.”
Encouraging students to embrace that environment, he urged them to see themselves as both Barbadian and Caribbean citizens.
“As long as you live here, you’re a Bajan… but do not ever forget your roots.”
Grounding his message in service and values, the President added: “For me to serve is to love… once you’ve built a life that is based on service, it suggests to me that you are a person who loves.”
Students later engaged him in a question-and-answer session, asking about his favourite food, his school life, and his decision to join the military, before he greeted teachers and the Head of the Diocese of Bridgetown, Bishop Neil Scantlebury, after the service.
President Jeffrey Bostic answering the students’ questions. (Photo Credit: Lauryn Escamilla)
Head of the Diocese of Bridgetown Bishop Neil Scantlebury being greeted by the President. (Photo Credit: Lauryn Escamilla)
He left students with a final reminder to focus on effort rather than awards: “I never try to be number one… as long as I felt that I did my best… I was more than satisfied.”
(LE)
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