Students at the Alwyn Allison Richardson Primary School have been enlightened about another aspect of civic responsibility and national pride. It has to do with handling and hoisting the National Flag of Anguilla – and the respect that should be accorded to this symbol of nationalism.
Mr. Cardigan Connor, Elected Representative for District 7, where the school is located, has been the main proponent of teaching the children about the island’s flag.
“We are teaching the students of the Alwyn A. Richardson Primary School the concepts of raising and lowering the flag and what it means to have two flags – one for the school and the other the National Flag of Anguilla,” the Parliamentary Secretary explained on Friday, September 9, at the school. “I think a number of our youngsters, as well as many people within our communities, are still learning what our flag means and how to respect it when we talk about being very nationalistic.”
Mr. Connor continued: “Although it has changed quite a bit, this is the school in West End I went to. Wherever I see an angle where we can further develop the knowledge of our students, it is incumbent on me to get out there and do that. Starting with something like this, I am hoping that all the other schools will get acquainted with the National Flag. The flag poles have been erected there for a reason, but the flag poles mean nothing unless the flag is raised and flown.”
Police Constable Shawn Lake, of the Community Relations Department of the Royal Anguilla Police Force, instructed the students about how to fold, mount, and lower the flag without allowing it to touch the ground. He also explained the significance of when a flag is flown at half-mast.
The Principal of the school, Ms. Marcia Brooks, expressed thanks to Mr. Connor and Constable Lake for acquainting the students about the importance of both the National Flag of Anguilla and the school’s flag – and how to handle them. “This will teach our children national pride and how to respect both flags, but especially our National Flag,” she commented.
