Teachers, from across Anguilla, sang, clapped and danced as they were welcomed back to their various schools. The mass rally was held on Friday, August 31, at the newly-refurbished Rodney MacArthur Rey Auditorium where a new roof, bright lights and a comfortable air condition system are part of the UK Government financed work.
Minister of Education, Mrs. Cora Richardson-Hodge, speaking on behalf of the Government of Anguilla and her Ministry, said in part: “This is my first opportunity to speak with you as a body, and I want to thank you for the hard work that you exhibited during the 2017/2018 school year. We know it was not easy and I want to commend you for all that you have done – and the results of our students coming out of that school year.
“We know that this is a result of your personal sacrifices to come to the schools and act as custodians, cleaners and, when the schools started, as councilors in addition to being teachers – as well as in some cases you provided lunch for some of your schoolchildren. I want you to know that this has not gone unnoticed, and we appreciate all the hard work you have done and we acknowledge your efforts. Coming out of the 2017/2018 school year, we look forward to bigger and brighter things from you for the 2018/2019 school year.”
Minister Richardson-Hodge continued: “We also know that the schools’ conditions have not been best but were made do. I was proud to see, during the school year, the cohesiveness and camaraderie that were taking place in the individual schools. This allowed you to double up the classrooms and to work together and to be able to collaborate. I think that was tremendous and commendable and I would like to encourage that togetherness.”
The Minister concluded: “I think the theme for this ceremony: ‘Refresh, Renewed, Rejuvenate’ is therefore quite appropriate. After such a trying year, we paused to rest during the summer vacation. We are now hopefully refreshed, renewed and rejuvenated not only physically but also mentally and psychologically, and ready to take on a new year. Having gone through Hurricane Irma, we can handle it and ready to go.
“We are refreshed, renewed and rejuvenated from the Ministry of Education to the Department of Education and down to the individual schools as well. We have undergone a number of staff changes, as you know, and each primary school and the secondary school now has a new management team. Each school therefore has the opportunity to benefit from new perspectives. We expect that each new principal and deputy principal will take on the challenge of their new assignments with new energy and vitality, demonstrating clearly that not only have they been rejuvenated, but that they are prepared to rejuvenate the entire education system.”
President of the Anguilla Teachers’ Union, Ms. Michelle Queeley, stated: “I greet you with a deep sense of hope and an attitude of gratitude for this opportunity that we have to do be here and, at the very least, to witness the start of another school year. Irrespective of the circumstances under which we must function, we have a privilege that many persons today wish they could share in – and that is to have a job. The time therefore is ripe to refresh our mind. We leave negative thinking, negative attitudes and negative actions behind. These all have one thing in common: they transport us to the pit of old habits. They sap our energy and render us ineffective at that which we are tasked to do.
“I believe that the Department of Education, which is no stranger to these realities, inclusive of the struggles that we face in and out of the classroom every day, must have been thinking the same way when it chose today’s theme.”
Ms. Queeley added: “Colleagues, as I close, I reiterate the ATU’s commitment to work with you, and on your behalf, to make your teaching and in indeed your learning experiences, in the academic year, refreshing, renewing, rewarding. In solidarity I say hold on.”
President of the Early Childhood Organisation, Ms. Itasha Webster, said: “In spite of the many challenges and setbacks that we encountered last year, we rose, stood out and performed to the end…Teachers have spent a lot of hours and money planning and preparing classrooms, and making sure that everything is close to perfect. This alone tells us that they have already started to show up, stand out and perform.
“Some of us have been moved to different schools …and all of us are contributing to the greater good of education. We remain motivated and passionate about our work. No matter where you are, and who you are, when driven by passion and by purpose we can change much more than you ever thought was possible. Colleagues, step into the new school year with a purpose because the students and their families are dependent upon you.”
The feature address was delivered by Mrs. Maeza Demis-Adams, Chief Executive Officer of the Health Authority of Anguilla, a former teacher. “Those four years of teaching gave me an appreciation for the learning process and helped me to develop tolerance,” she stated. “Teachers, I want to encourage and commend you for deciding to serve in your capacity of teacher – a noble profession. It is one that is dedicated to molding lives and the future of Anguilla.”
She added: “If teaching is your calling, the work you do, though challenging, will be very rewarding. If teaching is not, then you need to find your purpose – but while you teach, you must execute your duties to the best of your ability every day, and to every child.”
