The Comprehensive Learning Centre celebrated its 18th Annual Student Awards Ceremony on Thursday 12th November 2020 at the St. Gerard’s Catholic Church. Some 85 students and lecturers melodiously filled the air with their entrance and theme song, “We’ve Come this Far By Faith” with musical accompaniment by Anguilla’s renowned organist, Mr Lennox Vanterpool.
Under the theme, ‘Thus far by Faith’, God’s presence was invoked by Bishop Rt. Rev. Errol Brooks.
Minister of Education Miss Dee-Ann Kentish-Rogers offered congratulatory remarks to the students while Ministerial Assistant, Sports, Youth and Culture – Mr. Merrick Richardson in his brief remarks, recalled the days when the now learning centre was only a small room functioning as a typing class. He lauded the Centre for its excellence, referring to it as a Pillar and a Beacon, not only for the North Hill and surrounding residents, but for everyone in Anguilla who desires to access education.
The well-attended ceremony saw over eighty (80) students present to accept their certificates and awards. Managing Director of the Comprehensive Learning Centre, Mrs. Sandra York-Gumbs provided a thorough reflection of the 2019/2020 academic year. Mrs. York-Gumbs alluded to the fact that the centre is moving in faith and fully clothed in confidence. She passionately summed up the 18 years of the Centre’s existence noting, “Each successive year, brought with it, its own accomplishments and challenges, and each successive year saw our greatest assets, our students, boldly achieving. Individuals who disregarded education, filled with the notion that this belonged to everyone else but them, began rethinking this belief and started to harness the wealth of learning. Those who somehow got trapped by the false narrative, that they could only achieve to someone else’s boundaries, began breaking down barriers, arming themselves with knowledge, developing a deeper understanding, and creating their own fresh and dignified perspectives. With a winning spirit, they determinedly enrolled and began succeeding.” She continued, “The power of encouragement, the power of self-belief, the power of caring, all seeded. And each successive year beautiful flowers and fruits blossomed and continue to blossom from the Comprehensive Learning Centre. To our God be the Glory – We’ve come this far by Faith!”
Mrs. York-Gumbs during her reflection indicated that the students received a pass rate of 81% in the CXC CAPE and a 75% in CSEC examinations . She further noted that there were 100% passes in IT and Economics, 96% in EDPM, 91% in English A and 56% in Mathematics.
Over one hundred students who enrolled at the Learning Centre for the 2019/2020 academic year were awarded in various CSEC and CAPE subjects along with another fifty-four adult students who engaged in short courses such as MS Word, MS Excel, Conversational Spanish, QuickBooks and Computer Skills courses.
The feature address was given by Mr. Clemvio Hodge, Manager of What We Do in Anguilla. Mr. Hodge told the students and all present that their lives revolve around faith and reminded them that they had indeed come thus far by faith; Faith in themselves and their families. He mentioned that despite the challenges and issues faced that they are still here, but only by faith. Stirring them on, as to how they will use their knowledge, he indicated that faith is needed in their ability to complete their job. He assured those in attendance that they would have to rely on students in the future and this is done by placing our faith in them. He cautioned the students, that whatever they choose to become in life, that they will be the balance between right and wrong, the balance between good and bad, between success and failure and that their faith rests in balance.
During the very impressive ceremony some of the students provided a summation of their CLC experience, expressing that the Comprehensive Learning Centre provided 18 years of welcoming the young to the seniors. Students touted their experiences in a very genuine way, championing the Centre as a rock where there are more advantages than disadvantages. The teaching at the Comprehensive Learning Centre was described as unique, its Lecturers as passionate and fun and their experiences as simply amazing taking them to higher grounds.
Managing Director, Mrs. Sandra York-Gumbs also took the opportunity to thank parents, students, lecturers, and the many well-wishers, as well as the Board of the Anguilla Chamber of Commerce and Industry, who had financially contributed to the development of the Centre’s Science lab. She also commended the Covid-19 Response Team in the Ministry of Health for their efficient handling of the coronavirus pandemic in Anguilla thus far, and reminded everyone that our individual and collective behaviours would determine how Covid-19 behaves in Anguilla as the island moves forward.
The leadership team of the Comprehensive Learning Centre holds steadfast to the mission – committed to providing quality learning experiences which will enhance the educational, social and economic needs of the learner and ultimately, the community of Anguilla.
The evening’s celebration was capably chaired by Mrs Maria Hughes who was introduced to the audience by Ms Glorine Tavernier. Another one of the CLC’s lecturers, Mrs LoriRae Franklin, beautifully rendered the song, ‘Something Inside So Strong’ which was dedicated to the graduating class, while a well-executed inspirational dance was performed by the Waging Warriors. The distribution of certificates and awards was carried out by the Ministerial Assistant, Mr Merrick Richardson, assisted by Lecturers Mrs Ayisha Olivacce and Mrs Londrina Hughes. Mrs Atisha Kendall, closed the ceremony with her expressions of thanks to all for being part of the Comprehensive Learning Centre’s 18th anniversary.
– Press Release
