St George Secondary School has placed renewed focus on student wellbeing, practical training, and community engagement, with principal Dennis Browne highlighting a series of initiatives at its annual speech day and prize‑giving ceremony that reflect a modern, holistic approach to education.
Browne outlined the school’s new alternative uniform system, designed to give students a sense of pride and recognition during skills‑training days.
“Every single child at this school is given the opportunity to become skilled in one or more of those skill areas,” he said. “On the day of the skill, the students would wear an alternative uniform… giving them a sense of pride. Let them feel honoured to mix amongst those who attend the [Samuel Jackman Prescod Institute of Technology] and the Skills Training.” He explained that the initiative also serves to publicise the school’s technical and vocational programme to Barbadians.
The principal also drew attention to measures addressing student indiscipline, including a rebranded values‑driven positive behaviour management programme, guidance counselling, and partnerships with agencies such as the Edna Nicholls Centre, the Juvenile Liaison Scheme, and the National Task Force on Crime Prevention.
He highlighted the school’s mental‑health days, timetabled each term for different year groups and staff, which provide students with activities beyond traditional classroom learning — such as grooming horses, interacting with dogs, and engaging in practical, non‑academic exercises designed to promote emotional wellbeing, joy, and behavioural development.
Browne also called for improved transport to support students engaged in extracurricular activities.
“I must reiterate… we need that school bus, my children are suffering… they are involved in extracurricular activities,” he said, noting that access to transport remains a barrier for many students.
Minister of Educational Transformation Chad Blackman praised the principal and staff for their leadership and the school’s achievements.
“We’ve heard extensively from the principal who has really set out a comprehensive vision for the St George Secondary School and I want to pay particular homage to you and your staff, both the teaching staff and the ancillary staff who continue to make this school a beacon of excellence in Barbados,” he said.
Blackman also commended the school’s practical‑learning initiatives and encouraged students to take ownership of their education and potential.
“This school is a testament for sure with respect to the rising of the lions and you must now see yourself as the architects of the transformation of this country… I speak to you from my heart not just as minister but as a fellow Barbadian encouraging you to be the best and as you rise to be the lions and lionesses that you are, may God bless everything that you do. God bless you. God bless St George Secondary School.”
The theme of the event was The Rising of the Lion: Celebrating Strength, Spirit and Success, associating the school with the parish’s iconic lion sculpture at Gun Hill.
During the ceremony, Asia Edwards received the Chairman’s Prize, and Most Outstanding Student went to Jahsmyne Taitt, who was also awarded the Principal’s Prize. She additionally received the Paul Haynes Award for Leadership, the Audrey Burrowes Award for Positive Peer Leadership, and Most Outstanding CSEC Student.
(SZB)
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