The staff and parents and pupils of the Adrian T. Hazell Primary School culminated Anguilla History month with a Cultural Fair entitled, ‘Celebrating Our Spanish Heritage’. Every year a different era in Anguilla’s history is identified by the Department of Education. This year schools were encouraged to focus on traditional boating, boat captains and seamen, shipping, trading, smuggling, music about boats, the sea and sailing.
At The Adrian T. Hazell Primary School, the focus was on highlighting the links between Anguilla and Dominican Republic. We acknowledged our forefathers went to the Dominican Republic in search of work. Today we embrace and celebrate our Spanish heritage. Our school population comprises 16% of Dominican Republic nationals.
Pupils were encouraged to dress in the national colours of Anguilla or the Dominican Republic. Additionally, parents generously prepared dishes from both countries. Food included fried snapper, baked johnny cakes, peas and rice, fish bits, meatballs, fried johnny cakes, baked and stewed chicken, stewed pork, arroz con pollo, locrio, arroz con habichuela (moro) con pavo guisado, mangu con salami, mangu con albondigas and pasteles en hoja. Another important feature of the day was the baking of johnny cakes on the ‘three fire rocks’ organised by Mrs. Chrislyn Hughes, Grithel Hughes, Christabell Connor and Arville Hughes. Pupils gained firsthand experience as they witnessed this important piece of history and enjoyed the end product.
Proceeds from the sale of food went to purchase resources for our English As A Second Language (E.S.L.) Unit. This Unit at school assists with developing the language skills of pupils whose first language is not English. Mrs. Susan Carlene Brooks is the ESL Teacher. The staff wishes to thank all parents and community partners who prepared dishes and visited the school.
Please feel free to visit the school and ask how you can further assist our E.S. L. Unit. This would be greatly appreciated.
– Contributed
