Community initiative delivers study kits to St Thomas pupils

More than 60 Class Four pupils from Sharon Primary and Holy Innocent Primary received exam preparation kits on Thursday, part of a community-led effort to support families and students ahead of the 11-plus examination in May.

Attorney-at-law, community advocate, and St Thomas hopeful Gregory Nicholls shared the inspiration behind the initiative: “Parents have a lot of challenges in these times, so some clients of mine and some friends of mine decided that we would put together some resources to make this presentation of these packages for these Common Entrance preparation kits to the kids.”

Nicholls shared his hopes to support more schools in the future: “We didn’t get enough for all the other primary schools in the St Thomas area, but we hope to make some graduation packages for the other schools that were not included in this morning’s presentation,” he explained following the presentation at Sharon Primary.

He encouraged the students: “Of course, the school’s motto speaks for itself — ‘Love God, aim high, keep pure’,” he noted. “I really believe that if we were to apply these principles in our lives, despite all the challenges that the country faces, despite all the challenges that we see in the international environment, that those three precepts…which come from our national motto…will help us through trying times.”

Principal of Sharon Primary Ingrid Lashley welcomed the gesture, calling it timely and meaningful. “I just would like to say a very, very special thank you to the senator and (Crystal Haynes),” she said. “This is the first presentation they’ve had where they’ve been given this assistance… I’m sure their parents will welcome it because it will ease what they have to do for these children.”

Principal at Holy Innocent Primary Jacqueline Brome echoed those sentiments: “We appreciate the gifts… and thank you for being visible and working with us here. The children seeing you — I’m sure they will appreciate what you have done for them.”

(LG)