Barbados Today

Graduates of the Eagle Hall Primary School will be soaring into the next phase of their lives. Thirty-eight of them, four of whom are from the Special Unit, today concluded their primary school chapter, embarking to Dream, Believe, Persevere And Achieve.

In his remarks, principal Orlando Jones highlighted the 2015-2016 goal to raise the academic performance of every student and the results showing marginal increases throughout the school.

Thirty-five students sat this year’s Common Entrance Examination, remaining focused and equal to the task after a series of other tests and the annual mock examination.

Sherwin Bourne, Top Boy in both mathematics and English, will be attending The St Michael School in September. Top Student Overall Emonie Toppin will be attending Combermere School.

Senator Reverend Dr David Durant, who delivered the keynote address, challenged the graduands to follow their theme, referring to it as a journey that began with a dream.

“Dreams only come true when you wake up and act upon them, and pursue them with all the effort and energy you can muster,” he told them, adding that they had the power to achieve their dreams despite life’s challenges.

Durant also cautioned the graduates against abuse of illegal drugs, violence, sexual experimentation and lawlessness, imploring them to respect adults, especially their parents, remaining diligent and hardworking.

Reiterating that through God all things were possible, the reverend assured them God would see their dreams through.

Kaye Sargeant, education officer for Eagle Hall in the Ministry of Education, briefly spoke with graduands about their upcoming transition. While they would not be able to take physical things along with them, there would be lasting memories of primary school, Sargeant told them. The foundation of their learning, including acquired knowledge and skill, would always remain, she said.

“Surround yourself with positive thoughts and positive people who are doing positive things, and rid yourself of all negative influences; and you will see good things begin to happen to you,” Sargeant further advised.

Minister of Finance Chris Sinckler congratulated the graduates of his alma mater on their completion of the first essential part of their educational journey. He told them their allocated school was not as important as what they would put in when they got there.

“With a good base, good foundation, good preparation, you will continue to achieve and be successful productive citizens of Barbados,” Sinckler said.

Valedictorian Emonie Toppin told her peers: “I think the most important thing we have learnt over the years is Dare To Be Different. Our school motto, though simple, has great meaning and should be at the forefront of everything we do.”