Barbados Today

“Be positive! Aim high and keep on learning, because learning never stops.”
Principal of the St. Mark’s Primary School, Owereal Linton, offered these words of encouragement and advice to the 2013 graduating class of the Blades Hill, St. Philip institution.
In the calm and serene environment of Divi Southwinds Beach Resort, St. Lawrence, Christ Church, the principal urged the students to keep climbing and holding on together.
“Entering school on the first day can be a challenge of the nerves — even for my first day at this school it was a test of the nerves — and every time you are about to do something new that happens… See secondary school as another phase of conceiving, believing and achieving,” she admonished.
“Do not behave as though you have arrived because you have not — things will happen at a quicker and more challenging pace.”
The 21 graduates were then advised by representative of the Ministry of Education, Andrew Skeete, who told them to put their graduation theme of conceiving, believing and achieving into practice.
“Look to God, the author and finisher of our faith… Success is not gained by mere talent, so put your best foot forward,” he said.
Teacher, featured speaker and old scholar of St. Mark’s, Pedro Shepherd, also advised: “It is not what your school can do for you, but what you can do for your school and seek to develop yourself in a wholistic way.” Shepherd, who shared his experiences of coming from a poor and humble background, told the parents that they too must play a role in the success of their children by checking their bags, meeting their teachers and providing them with love.
“Conceive it, believe it and achieve it … remain humble and sincere, behave well, do not bow to peer pressure and choose your friends wisely,” he added.
Valedictorian, Rianna Belgrave, said in her address that the education and care offered at St. Mark’s was of a high quality.
“We were taught to try our best, strive for high ideals and respect ourselves [as well as] others, … [as our motto said] good manners can open doors which the best education cannot.
“If you are not part of the solution you are a part of the problem and whatever you do work at it with all your heart as working for the Lord, not for man.”
Belgrave ended by stating to the other students of St. Mark’s that what the mind can conceive and believe it can achieve.
“The sky is the limit,” the top girl said. (MR)