The Principal, Ms. Shauna Connor; her deputy, Ms. Ayisha Bellot; and all the other teachers, have expressed delight that they are now back at the newly-built and just-opened Morris Vanterpool Primary School at East End.
The school was accommodated for four years at the rental apartments, of Mr. James Hodge, located just off the East End Main Road, west of the original site of the school building. The re-location of the school was occasioned by Hurricane Irma which severely damaged, and otherwise compromised, its structure.
The new Morris Vanterpool Primary School was one of a number of public sector projects financed by the UK Government under the Anguilla Programme which comprised a humanitarian grant of sixty million pounds sterling. That school alone is said to cost four million US dollars.
At the request of the principal and teachers, the school was blessed on Sunday, October 10, with Pastor David Christmas and Pastor Cephas Webster officiating. Among those in attendance was the former Minister of Education – and the current Elected Representative of District 2 – Mrs. Cora Richardson-Hodge.
In addressing the gathering, she said it was the only school that had to be demolished entirely following the hurricane, and that both teachers and students were anxiously awaiting the new structure. She was grateful to all who were involved in its construction, including the contractor, Mr. Bennett Bethel, as well as the UK Government and the British taxpayers for providing the funding. She also expressed thanks to the present Government of Anguilla for completing the school.
With the handing over of the keys, the principal and staff were able to open the school, and the students – from kindergarten to grade 6 – turning up wearing masks and observing social distancing in the classrooms. Due to the COVID protocols, a shift system was put in place until all of the students on the roll could eventually be in full attendance.
“This day is finally here,” the delightful Principal, Ms. Connor, told The Anguillian newspaper. “We have some mixed emotions. We are excited to see the children’s faces, but we have to trust God because we are still concerned about the COVID-19 virus. We pray that God will cover us. That was my prayer this morning as we still have to deal and cope with COVID-19; to be vigilant and practise safety as we have loved ones at home. We thank God again that we are here, with open arms, to welcome our beautiful little ones.”
There are a total of 136 students enrolled at the school. According to the principal, some of them have underlying issues like asthma, and other conditions. As a result, she was advised by a number of parents that they would not be sending their children to school. There are a total of 17 teachers, including one male teacher, but for the first shift there were only three teachers and three assistants.
Commenting on the new school building, Ms. Connor said: “Oh my, gosh! We are feeling overwhelmed with joy and gratitude to know that this day is finally here. It is beautiful and well-designed but it is not yet fully completed. We still have a lot of work to do. I love the fact that the school is u-shaped so that I am able to stay in one position and observe the children on the compound. It is very child-friendly.
“In addition to the actual school, we have a library; multi-purpose room; music room; cafeteria; auditorium; an administration block; a sick bay and counselling room; nurses’ area; staff lounge; a science lab; numeracy room; an IT room; an art lab; remedial reading room; kindergarten section; reading recovery room; a special education needs unit which has a fully-completed kitchen; and a speech therapist room.”
The new Morris Vanterpool School is among the largest just-built primary schools in Anguilla. It occupies the former sites of both the Old East End Elementary School (built in 1917) and the original Morris Vanterpool Primary School. It is certainly a landmark at East End.
