The thirteen or fourteen hundred Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School students have been told by their newly-appointed Principal, Mrs. Joyce Webster Stuart, that she, the rest of the faculty and staff, will keep them motivated, encouraged and learning. “We are here to help guide you through a successful secondary school experience and our vision for your success is to exceed everyone’s expectations of you,” she stressed.
And she gave this personal assurance to the students: “As your Principal, I am here to be an advocate for each of you. I will be fair, I will be firm, I will be loving and I will be consistent with each one of you; and if nobody told you today that they love you, remember that I do, and that I always will.”
Ms. Webster Stuart was addressing the students who crowded the Rodney MacArthur Rey Auditorium on Tuesday, September 8, to welcome her to the school. Originally from Island Harbour, the Anguillian educator was a student at the former Valley Secondary School before migrating to St Thomas and eventually to the US mainland where she furthered her studies and taught. She replaces the former ALHCS Principal, Mrs. Ingrid Lake, now on retirement.
The Principal spoke about three issues that she, with the cooperation of the students, will be addressing. These are the wearing of the campus uniform; taking pride in the upkeep of the campuses; and being on time for school. “Young people, you have a wonderfully exciting year unfolding ahead of you,” she advised them. “You will have numerous opportunities to form new friendships and establish study groups that encourage you to ‘Get Up, Dress Up, Show Up, and Never Give Up…’”
She further advised the students to –
“• Be pretty kind to your fellow students; not only the ones in your little clique or group
• Be pretty funny at the appropriate time and situation
• Be pretty strong and courageous when you need to stand for something good and noble
• Be pretty purposeful in your work and study habits
• Be pretty determined to let your classmates and teachers see you as the exceptional students you are
• Be pretty smart and wise in the decisions you make and the actions you take
• Be pretty smart encouraging and [being] helpful to your classmates and teachers
• Be pretty respectful of each other’s right to a safe learning environment
• Be pretty mindful of the way you speak and interact with your classmates and teachers
• Be pretty nurturing and loving to yourself and to your family and support structure.” 
Chief Education Officer, Mrs Rhonda Connor, exhorted the students that in order to succeed they would have to attend school regularly, follow the rules, pay attention to their teachers and work hard. “Every single one of you has something you’re good at. Every single one of you has something to offer; and you have a responsibility to yourself to discover what that is,” she emphasised. She spoke to the students about the importance of education to their future and the development of Anguilla, and other related matters.
“Your families, your teachers, and the Department and Ministry of Education are doing everything we can to make sure that you have the quality education you need,” Mrs. Connor assured the students. “But we expect you to put your best effort into everything you do. We expect great things from each of you. So don’t let us down – don’t let your country or your family or yourself down. Make us all proud. I know you can do it.”
The students were also addressed by Chief Minister, Mr. Victor Banks; Minister of Education and Social Development, Mr. Evans McNiel Rogers; Parliamentary Secretary, Mr. Cardigan Connor; Chairman of the School’s Board of Governors, the Rev. Dr. Wycherley Gumbs; and Pastor Philip Gumbs who delivered the opening prayer. The matters on which they addressed the students included the pursuit of learning, the need for them to follow role models and the importance of respect and discipline. The speakers also took the opportunity to welcome the new Principal and to wish her, the teachers and the students, a successful academic year.
The welcome ceremony was presided over by Mrs. Melsadis Fleming, Deputy Principal at Campus B, who called for the new Principal of the school, which has four campuses, to be applauded.
