Principal urges parental support as pupils graduate

Parents and guardians must continue to play a crucial role in their children’s educational success as they move to secondary school, the principal of Charles F Broome Memorial Primary School has said.

Speaking at the school’s graduation ceremony held last Friday at the Hilton Barbados Resort, Paula Toppin emphasised that parental involvement remains vital even after the Barbados Secondary Schools Entrance Examination (BSSEE).

“This placement is not the end, it is really a next phase in your child’s educational continuum,” Toppin told parents. “Your continued support, guidance, encouragement, care, empathy, and love will be crucial to your child’s success in the years ahead.”

She urged parents to maintain communication with teachers, encourage extracurricular activities, and “take the negatives and turn them into positives”, stressing that children should know their parents are their “biggest champion”.

Toppin congratulated the graduating class on a successful academic year, noting high standards in Mathematics and English, though acknowledging room for improvement in essay writing.

She said: “Many of you, all of you, performed at your highest and challenged yourselves to do better, and you did. Because of you, the school was able to maintain its high standards in Mathematics and English, though I do believe we have a little work to do in Composition.

“We want to thank the teachers for their hard work in contributing to the success of our students today.  We were able to have 90 candidates sit the exam this year, and they all did a fantastic job. All schools from Zone 1, Zone 2 and Zone 3,, were all achieved by our students this year.”

The principal challenged students to question themselves daily: “Have I given of my true potential, have I given up too easily, is there another solution for this problem?”

Nathan Belgrave was named Top Boy, while Abigail Murray took the titles of Top Girl and Valedictorian for the Class of 2024.

Chief Education Officer Dr Ramona Archer-Bradshaw also addressed the ceremony, praising the supportive school community for the students’ achievements. She called on attendees to “recognise the transformative power of education in shaping young minds and preparing them for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead”.