On Friday, September 21st, a benevolent monetary donation was made by the Ebenezer Methodist Men’s Fellowship to The Valley Primary School. Presenting the check was Mr. Elkin Lloyd, President of the Fellowship, accompanied by Mr. Valentine Banks, the Fellowship’s Secretary. The new Principal, Mr. Michael Skellekie, gratefully received the gift on the school’s behalf.
According to Mr. Banks, the Fellowship’s Secretary, “The main objective of the Men’s Fellowship, which is an organization within Methodist Churches around the world, is to sponsor activities of a spiritual, educational, recreational and social nature with the focus being determined by the interests of its members, the church and the community.” The local President, Mr. Lloyd, said that the Ebenezer Men’s Fellowship wished to support The Valley Primary School, which is within the church’s community.
In accepting the contribution, Mr. Skellekie expressed his appreciation by saying: “I am pretty impressed with the Methodist Men’s Fellowship’s decision to contribute this donation. We are particularly grateful to those of our community who continue to contribute to our school. This school needs lots of improvements. It is the largest primary school on the island, and there are lots of things that are needed.
“However, bit by bit, my staff and I will work in conjunction with the Ministry and the community towards outfitting the school with its much needed resources. In the meantime, we want to achieve standards of excellence with the resources that we do have. So, indeed we are grateful to the Men’s Fellowship and to all who have stepped forth to help us in one way or another.”
The donation was initially earmarked to purchase a public address system for the school. However, since the school already has such a system, the contribution will go towards the provision of tables upon which the children would eat their lunches.
Incidentally, an unusual occurrence of bullying at The Valley Primary School has been the subject of much public concern lately. A casual comment was made in light of this by Mr. Skellekie who tactfully remarked: “This school must be a place where all students, teachers and janitors continue to feel welcomed and safe, and they must be happy to be coming here.
“When everyone’s task is done for the day, and they are tired, here must be a place where they look forward to coming back to the next day. This school must continue to be a happy and friendly place. We are striving to make that possible by continuing to inculcate the right attitudes and values in every layer of our school — among the students, the teachers, parents and our community.”
