Alleyne School has announced an ambitious vision to become one of Barbados’ greenest and safest secondary schools as it toasted its academic, sporting and extracurricular achievements during the Annual Speech Day and Prize-Giving Ceremony at the school’s auditorium in Belleplaine, St Andrew on Tuesday.
Acting principal Stephen Proverbs said the school was not only recognising the accomplishments of the past two academic years but was also positioning itself for a future centred on sustainability, innovation and student well-being.
“Speech Day is not simply about looking backwards. It is equally about looking ahead,” he said. “We’re looking at who we are, who we were, who we are today, and who we aspire to become.”
Principal (Ag) of the Alleyne School Stephen Proverbs. (Photo Credit: Lauryn Escamilla/Barbados TODAY)
Proverbs revealed that the school intends to become “the greenest secondary school in Barbados” by expanding its recycling programme, planting more trees, introducing rainwater harvesting systems and developing aquaponics and hydroponics facilities through partnerships with the Ministry of Agriculture and the Sandals Foundation.
“Environmental stewardship must become part of our culture rather than simply another topic taught in the classroom,” he said.
He also disclosed plans to install solar photovoltaic systems to power the school’s electric bus, with battery storage providing backup power during outages.
Student safety and health also feature prominently in the school’s vision.
Proverbs announced plans to replace sections of fencing around the compound, install additional security cameras and establish an on-site medical facility staffed by a full-time nurse.
“So Alleyne School will be the only school that would have a mini-clinic because we found ourselves in a situation where we were isolated,” he said, adding that the facility would also be available to neighbouring A. Dacosta Edwards Primary School and members of the surrounding community.
Proverbs also announced that the school would soon introduce a new mascot inspired by the flying lion featured on the historic school crest.
“The flying lion represents ambition. It represents vision. It represents the courage to soar beyond expectations,” he said.
While outlining the school’s future, Proverbs celebrated the strong academic performance recorded in the 2025 Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations.
He reported an overall pass rate of 74.2 per cent with a 90 per cent participation rate, noting that students earned 54 Grade Ones, 235 Grade Twos and 355 Grade Threes.
“These figures represent more than just statistics. Behind every grade lies a story. A story of a student who stayed after school for extra lessons, a teacher who devoted personal time to provide additional support, parents who encouraged their children to persevere and support staff who ensured that our classrooms remained safe, clean and welcoming.”
Several subjects achieved outstanding performances, including office administration, physical education and sport, theatre arts, digital arts and industrial technology – all recording 100 per cent pass rates.
The principal acknowledged that mathematics, chemistry, physics, French and Spanish remained areas requiring improvement but expressed confidence that intervention programmes and additional support would help students improve.
“Genuine excellence requires honesty. While we celebrate our successes, we must never become complacent,” he said.
Guest speaker and Alleyne School alumna Keri Mapp encouraged students to focus on attitude, perseverance and self-belief rather than comparing themselves with others.
Keri Mapp. (Photo Credit: Lauryn Escamilla/Barbados TODAY)
“Your attitude will take you further than your grades,” she told the students.
“The world is full of brilliant people who never quite made it and full of average persons who ran laps around them because they showed up differently.”
She reminded students that progress matters more than perfection.
“You’ll never feel 100 per cent ready. Perfection is a myth; progression is the goal.”
Encouraging students to overcome fear, Mapp added: “That thing called ‘fear; it stands for False Evidence Appearing Real. Most of the things you’re afraid of never even happen… You don’t have to feel ready to begin. You have to begin to feel ready.”
She also urged students to be mindful of the influences around them.
“Protect what goes into your mind. The content you consume matters. The tool isn’t the problem; it’s how you use it that becomes the problem,” she said, referring to technology and social media.
The former student reminded the award recipients that success is built through consistency: “Being ready isn’t a feeling, it’s a decision. Achieving is not one big moment; it is a thousand small, consistent, courageous choices that compound over time… The world is waiting, and I cannot wait to see what you achieve.”
Among those recognised during the ceremony was Nikolai Ramchere, a 17-year-old who now attends Combermere School, who had collected multiple awards, including the Cyril Thompson Memorial Prize for Best CSEC Results (2023-2024) and the Dr Kevin Greenidge Award for Excellence in CSEC Business Examinations (2023-2024).
Nikolai Ramchere awarded with Cyril Thompson Memorial Prize and Dr Kevin Greenidge Award. (Photo Credit: Lauryn Escamilla/Barbados TODAY)
Reflecting on his achievements, Ramchere said: “I worked for it, so I’m proud of myself.”
Despite balancing studies with basketball and helping his father operate the family’s fruit and vegetable business, he said consistency made the difference.
“I just do what I could do… I’ll always try and if you try, you get through.”
Offering advice to students now entering secondary school, he said: “Mind your business. Just do you. Don’t focus on other people. Just focus on yourself.”
(LE)
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