Students at the Enid Scatliffe Pre-Primary present a selection is song at their Harvest Celebration on Friday, November 25. Photo: GIS

Parents, faculty and guests purchase products following the Enid Scatliffe Pre-Primary School Harvest Celebration programme.

According to a Government Information Service (GIS) press release, parents, faculty, visiting guests and Government officials were treated to a mix of renditions in song, dance and poetry from approximately 180 students in the kindergarten and grade one classes.

A “Harvest Table” displayed local produce of mangoes, papaya, sweet potato, peppers, bananas, passion fruit, pumpkins, figs, coconuts, sugarcane, corn, mint and lemon grass. An assortment of local drinks, tarts and cakes were also on display.

Minister for Education and Culture Hon. Myron V. Walwyn was pleased with the programme and thanked the principal, faculty, and students for a wonderful performance.

The Minister also thanked the parents for coming out in numbers to support the school and the students.

Speaking on the new administration’s focus on Education, Minister Walwyn said, “We know the expectations are very high for us, but we cannot achieve what we want to achieve, particularly in education, without the support of the parents. You have to do your part and I am encouraged by what I see here today.”

In highlighting the importance of the day’s celebration the Minister said, “Today is about culture and a part of our culture that I want us to take away is our culture of success because we have always been a successful people.”

Hon. Walwyn addressed the parents stating, “We want our children to be told by their parents when they leave home every morning, ‘We want you to succeed today’”.

The Education Minister urged the students to do their best. “We expect when you come into the classroom that you will do your best because that is who you are as a Virgin Islander.”

Principal Valerie Charles-Welsh in her remarks said, “Each one of us has a civic responsibility to teach our little ones how to recognise, learn and become involved in every aspect of our culture. Remember, that as BVIslanders we have an obligation to get involved in sharing our culture with the younger generation.”

Long-time teacher and coordinator of the harvest celebration Enid Thomas thanked the parents for their contributions as they were “surprised by the amount of produce” received for the celebration.

She also recognised the teachers for their hard work in preparing the students and the grounds for the programme.

Fifth District Representative Hon. Delores Christopher was also present.

Culture Week 2011 was celebrated in the Virgin Islands from 13th – 19th November, under the theme, “From Whence We Came: Our Virgin Islands History. The Ministry of Education and Culture supports the cultural dimension of the schools’ curricula which complements academic learning.