Monday morning, September 7th, saw the return of face-to-face classes, for all schools on the island, after a summer vacation which was shortened by the interruption of the last school year by the dreadful COVID-19 pandemic.
At the Vivien Vanterpool Primary, in particular, parents were invited to witness the commencement of a new school year, as the spirit of a new beginning enveloped both teachers and pupils. The welcome ceremony took place at the school yard’s gazebo, and entailed the introduction of new students from kindergarten, as well as the presentation of six new teachers, all of whom were particularly delighted to have joined the VVPS staff.
After cordially greeting the invited guests, parents, teachers and the excited children, the Principal, Mrs. Mavis Fleming-Drakes, said: “We are embarking upon a new journey for a new year. Some of you, boys and girls, are beginning with us for the first time, while others are continuing.
“We have come to celebrate our first day this morning, and we intend to have a beautiful school year. We have planned to do lots of work. Your teachers will exercise lots of patience, and you will meet some new friends. I thank you, parents, for choosing Vivien Vanterpool Primary. We are here to serve you as we serve your children with teaching to the best of our abilities.”
In keeping with the principles of the Scriptures, Mrs. Fleming-Drakes alluded to Psalms 150:6 which says, “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord”. She said that the first day was designated to praise and worship the Lord. She then called on Pastor Philip Gumbs to lead the students in praise and to motivate them for the new school year.
Pastor Gumbs then addressed the students, primarily: “Good morning students,” he heartily greeted. “Good morning, Pastor Gumbs,” the students gleefully replied. The Pastor paused to express that he was very impressed with their response in that they did not merely say “good morning”, but they addressed him in person. He encouraged then to maintain that kind of courtesy always by having them repeatedly recite the familiar quote: “manners and politeness take you through the world.”
He went on to invite them to appreciate the turquoise waters and the beautiful beach that was behind them, and to give God praise and thanks for creating for them such a unique school environment. He hinted that with such a pleasant, picturesque environment, they should be able to learn well. By the same token, he pointed out the fact that God, the Creator, had equipped them all with a powerful brain, and that each of them had a special brain that would make them intelligent and smart.
“In your brain there is a lot of stuff,” he said. “You have a lot of brainpower up there. And it is when you are as young as you are that you can learn the best. You are at the stage now where you can learn even faster that your teachers, because your brains are at that tender point where you can absorb quite a lot more information.” “So grab all the information that you can while you are young,” he said.
In his parting words, the Pastor encouraged the children to love and respect their teachers. He mentioned that one of the best ways to show love to their teachers was by performing well in class, by having good manners and by cooperating with them, thus making their teaching tasks easier and more rewarding.
Following the Pastor’s address, a motivational song, “Reach for the Stars”, was rendered by Carwin Carty, backed up by keyboardist, Kai Hodge. The song was written in 1995 by Anguilla’s renowned songwriter, Marvin Gumbs. The students then sang Sinash’s “I know Who I am”, and the brief ceremony came to an end.
