Students of Parkinson Memorial School were urged to “develop the mentality of the ant” — industrious, purposeful and resilient — as the last new school before full free secondary education was introduced in Barbados launched its 65th anniversary celebrations with a church service at The People’s Cathedral on Monday.
Photo Credit: Lauryn Escamilla
Pivoting to the ant mentality, Apostle Dr Marlon Husbands said: “I challenge you. Developing a mentality of the ant. Adopt the standard mentality of the ant — don’t be average. Don’t be careless, don’t waste potential.
Apostle Dr Marlon Husbands. (Photo Credit: Lauryn Escamilla)
“If ants can prepare without a principal, if ants can build without applause, if ants can work without excuses, then you can excel with this opportunity of free education.”
Under the theme 65 years of excellence: Honouring our past, shaping our future, the event drew students, staff, alumni, parents and dignitaries together in a blend of gratitude, reflection and forward-looking inspiration. What unfolded was a testament to the school’s legacy, beginning with its founding in 1960 as a beacon in Barbados’ evolving free public education landscape.
Principal of Parkinson Memorial School Captain Adrian Ward. (Photo Credit: Lauryn Escamilla)
Principal Captain Adrian Ward opened the service by honouring the milestone. “It is indeed an honour and a privilege to stand before you on the occasion of the school’s sixty-fifth anniversary,” he began. He painted the school as “a beacon of hope and opportunity in Barbados, shaping minds, moulding character, and preparing young men and women to serve God, community with integrity and purpose”.
Turning to the pioneers, he said: “We honour today the visionaries and the pioneers who laid the foundation in faith, those who believed that education was not merely about academic success, but about spiritual grounding, discipline, service and moral strength. Their sacrifices built more than classrooms, they built a legacy.”
Amid “social shifts, technological advancements and national development”, the school has stayed true to holistic education, sending generations forth “not only with certificates, but with values”.
Vowing to elevate the institution, Ward said: “I intend to ensure that the school is seen as the place to be… whenever persons speak of the name Parkinson Memorial School they recognise that we are indeed a noble institution that offers quality education.
“This anniversary is not only about looking back. It is a divine call to move forward. If God has brought us through 65 years, then surely He’s not finished with us yet.”
Closing with a pledge, he said: “As principal, I stand deeply humbled to serve during this historic milestone…. May Parkinson Memorial School continue to rise, may it continue to inspire, may it continue to transform lives. Happy 65th anniversary, Parkinson Memorial. Onward, ever upward.”
The school, named for educator Augustus Rawle Parkinson, opened in September 1960 with its first intake from nearby feeder schools. Officially launched on February 22, 1961, by Minister of Education Luther Thorne, in the presence of Governor General Sir John Stow and Premier Dr Hugh Gordon Cummins.
Parkinson Memorial was the fifth secondary modern school to be built after the introduction of free secondary education in 1952 in the Grantley Adams administration with the St Leonard Boys’ and Girls’ Schools, followed by the opening of Princess Margaret and West St Joseph (now Grantley Adams Memorial) secondary schools in 1955. Older schools, known as grammar schools, remained fee-paying until 1962 when free secondary education was expanded to all public schools under Premier Errol Barrow.
Four name changes marked its path: Pine Modern Secondary School in 1960, Pine Modern Comprehensive School in 1962, Parkinson Secondary School from 1966 to 1968, and the current Parkinson Memorial School from 1968.
Throughout its history, Parkinson navigated multiple sites: “Eyrie”, the former residence of the first Black Chief Justice of Barbados, Sir Conrad Reeves, on the grounds of the Barbados Community College; the Parkinson annex at Sherbourne in Two Mile Hill, on the site of what is now the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre, and the Pine Social Centre.
An extension opened in February 1983 by Minister of Education Billie Miller and MP Delisle Bradshaw consolidated the school at the main Pine campus.
In 2019, the administrative block was named for former principal Juanita Hunte.
In a video message, Chief Education Officer Dr Ramona Archer-Bradshaw, a Parkinson alumna, reflected on her time at the school: “I want to say thank you not only for making me feel special, but for seeing yourselves develop not only into academic creatures, but also social beings.”
The theme resonated with her: “65 years of excellence, honouring our past, shaping our future. You couldn’t come with a greater theme. So today we celebrate 65 years of excellence. That means 65 years of students who studied hard, teachers who sacrificed, parents who believed, 65 years of growth and resilience.”
In a stirring message, Dr Husbands said: “This is an incredible milestone, as it represents 65 years of nurturing minds, shaping character, and creating a meaningful future for thousands of young people who continue to show the dividends on your investment by contributing meaningfully to the social and economic fabric of Barbados.”
Honouring alumni impact, he said: “The halls of Parkinson Memorial have echoed with the footsteps of students who have gone on to become some of our nation’s most notable leaders, innovators, creatives, public servants, entrepreneurs, athletes and community builders.”
He challenged today’s students: “Where you begin your journey is secondary to where you choose to go…. Having a clear vision for what you want for your life means remaining committed to your goals and aspirations, especially when challenges arise.
“Barbados does not thrive on the talents of a perceived few. Our nation is only truly enriched when every citizen is empowered to develop and contribute their unique skills and abilities…. You are the living embodiment of every child in Barbados that our Ministry of Education Transformation lives by.”
Rallying forward, he said: “Now is the time to stake your claim to greatness…. As we honour the past, let us be equally intentional about the shaping of our future. May the next 65 years be an era of positive growth, renewed purpose and increased opportunities…. Congratulations on this remarkable milestone, and may your legacy of your motto onward, ever upward, continue to inspire Barbados for generations to come.”
Dr Husbands seized the moment with raw, direct fire aimed straight at the students, weaving in key moments on excellence, habits, encouragement, reputation and prophecy. “Challenge you for the next 30 days to study at least three focused minutes every day outside of your homework,” he said. “I challenge you, improve one weak subject intentionally. I challenge you, arrive on time to school every time. I challenge you, represent your school with pride. I challenge you, drop one lazy habit.”
He flipped the script on discouragement, telling the teachers: “Harness, don’t discourage,” pushing against any negativity holding students back.
Probing reputations, he asked pointedly: “If persons were to think of you now, what would they say?
Returning to the students, he said: “The question is, will you be remembered as a generation of continued excellence? Or will you be remembered as the generation that squandered it? The choice. It’s yours. You choose.”
Revolution Band. (Photo Credit: Lauryn Escamilla)
The atmosphere pulsed with energy from first to third formers who lit up during Sheldon Hope and the worship team’s sessions. Elation peaked when Revolution Band, made up of past students in 2009, belted out Goodness of God, sending waves of joy through The People’s Cathedral. Individual prayers lifted students, teaching and non-teaching staff, parents and guardians, capped by a heartfelt altar call.
(LE)
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