New uniform gets positive marks from Princess Margaret first-formers

A new-look uniform at Princess Margaret Secondary School has won over several students, with some saying they feel more comfortable and confident as they begin their high school journey.

Students and parents arriving at school. (Photo Credit: Lauryn Escamilla)

Princess Margaret Secondary School students entering school. (Lauryn Escamilla)

First formers arrived at the school on Monday wearing the new uniform to battle the heat as they prepared for their first day in a new environment.

For 11-year-old Sariya Perch, the uniform was more than just a new look.

Sariya Perch. (Photo Credit: Lauryn Escamilla)

“I feel good. I feel confident in myself and I feel comfy in my uniform,” she said.

She was also looking forward to the day ahead, adding that, “I feel happy. I feel that I’ll have a great day today and I feel that my classmates will have a great day also.”

Her classmate Junia Carmichael also gave the new uniform a positive review.

Junia Carmichael. (Photo Credit: Lauryn Escamilla)

“It feels very good and comfortable. It looks better than the other one,” she said, while predicting that “today is gonna be a good day”. 

Fellow student Faith Grandison said: “It’s great. I love it. And I didn’t really like the first uniform, but I like this uniform better.”

Samaria Best, who is going into 1I, agreed with her classmate.

While the uniform was receiving favourable reviews, the transition from primary to secondary school brought a mixture of emotions for the first-formers.

Grandison, who is going into 1S, described the move as “sad and exciting,” explaining that she missed her old school and her parents but was happy about the opportunity to learn.

“Sad and exciting because I miss my old school. I miss my parents but I got to learn so I happy,” she said.

She was also looking forward to meeting new people and making friends.

For Keshra Barker of 1C, the move initially brought some nerves.

“It was okay. At first, it was scary, but then I get confident,” she said.

Barker credited her mother, sister and grandmother for helping her build that confidence.

Another first-former, Lashawn Bynoe of 1J, was less hesitant about the new chapter.

“I feel amazing,” he said.

Asked why, he responded: “Because I went to a new school.”

He also expressed pride in the new uniform.

“I feel proud. Yes please I feel proud,” Bynoe said, adding that he would like to see other boys eventually wearing the same style.

Parents also had their own impressions of the new design.

Parent Sevol Pommells said he welcomed the change and viewed it as a more distinctive option than the regular uniform.

“I feel good about it. I like it a lot, a lot more unique than a regular uniform, you know,” he said.

He also pointed to the warmer conditions in Barbados as one reason he believed the new uniform could be beneficial.

“I believe that is much better, especially in times like this when it’s becoming hot in Barbados,” Pommells said.

He added that the material appeared less heavy. 

But when asked whether he had compared the cost of the new uniform with the traditional uniform, Pommells said:“I ain’t got no problem,” adding that he viewed it as “an international thing that they’re doing.”

Parent Kerri Taylor also liked the new uniform, although she had one concern about the fit. Taylor said her daughter found it comfortable, but noted that she had it adjusted.

Her bigger concern on Monday was not the uniform, but the transition into secondary school.

“Nervous, nervous,” she said when asked how she felt about her daughter’s first day.

Taylor explained that her daughter was coming from primary school and would now have to adjust to “a new environment”.

First former Kyjara Barrow found the new uniform took some getting used to.

“I feel good. At first I was like, but then I started liking it and I say, like, good,” she said.

Asked whether it was comfortable, she responded, “Yes, please.”

Her father, Jamal Barrow, viewed the uniform more simply.

“I ain’t feel no way about it, it’s just a new look,” he said.

He could not compare the cost of the new uniform with the traditional option because, he explained, the uniforms were issued through the government.

Barrow added that his daughter was supposed to receive three skirts, but “right now the government could only do one for right now.”

For Kyjara, the first day brought both excitement and some apprehension about entering secondary school.

“At first I was excited. Then I started thinking about all the bullies and all that,” she said.

But reassurance from her father helped.

“He said it’s going to be okay. So I said okay. So I’m happy,” Kyjara said.

(LE)