The Best Buddies Club, an anti-bullying school club, was re-launched at the Valley Primary School’s Gazebo on Friday 21st April, 2023. The ceremony was attended by club members and students from the Valley Primary School (VPS), Department of Education officials including the Chief Education Officer, as well as Principals, teachers and student representatives from other schools.
The Chair of the proceedings and Lead Teacher on the Best Buddies initiative was Teacher Petricia Edrum who invited the school’s chaplain, Pastor David Christmas to bless the proceedings.
This was followed by a short address by Guidance Counsellor Teacher Vivienne Fleming who gave an overview of the club, which first started in 2019.
She said that the change of slogan from ‘Be a Buddy, Not a Bully’ to the current theme ‘The Road to Success Starts with Each Other’ was an attempt to emphasise the cooperative nature of the club rather than the finger-pointing or stigmatization that could be interpreted in the former slogan.
Member of the club, Romare Forbes, introduced the keynote speaker, Ms. Vanisha Proctor, an alumna of Valley Primary School, and a previous recipient of the prestigious Chevening Award.
Ms. Proctor delivered a rousing address to the club based on three principles; Positive Thoughts, followed by Positive Words and then Positive Action. She explained to the Best Buddies Club that thoughts were critical to start any process of creating change. However, because thought is internal, it must be followed by communication or words so that the vision can be shared.
She warned the Best Buddies to remember to be kind in their self-talk as well as when talking to others. But she exhorted the children present to remember that most importantly, action must follow thought and words.
She gave examples of what positive actions might look like including studying hard, showing kindness when playing with friends and being supportive.
Ms. Proctors’ address was followed by a musical selection from the Best Buddies Club Members.
Deputy Principal, Teacher Estelle Laurent Carter presented a special award to Best Buddies member, T’moni Richardson, who designed the logo that adorns the Best Buddies’ Tee shirts. Principal, Teacher Tricia Richardson then officially re-launched the Best Buddies Club and the members recited their pledge.
The vote of thanks was delivered by Ms. Kylicia Brooks Gumbs of the Best Buddies Club.
Congratulations go out to the fifteen members of the Best Buddies Club whose ages range from Grades K to Grade 5, as well as the teachers who support them.
It seems particularly fitting that this initiative was re-launched during the Volunteerism and Mentorship Week activities celebrated by the Department of Youth and Culture in collaboration with the Department of Education and other partners.
The Best Buddies Club will meet every Thursday at the Valley Primary School and members will be engaged in a wide variety of activities that will promote discipline, self-awareness, determination, and resilience.
Interested students and parents can contact Ms. Petricia Edrum at the Valley Primary School.
