FORMER STUDENT URGES EXCELLENCE AND BALANCE AT COLERIDGE AND PARRY

Former Coleridge and Parry Secondary School student and Chairman of the Barbados Hotel & Tourism Association (BHTA), Javan Griffith has urged students to embrace discipline, balance and consistent excellence as they prepare for life beyond the classroom.

Griffith was the guest speaker at the school’s awards ceremony, where he reflected on his own journey and the role the institution played in shaping his personal and professional development.

Addressing students, Griffith said secondary school is far more than a place for examinations, describing it as an environment where values are formed, confidence is built and futures begin to take shape.

He encouraged students to take responsibility for their habits and choices, noting that excellence is not a single achievement but a daily practice.

“Some days your best will be exceptional, and other days your best will simply be effort. Both matter,” Griffith told the audience.

The tourism executive also challenged students to rethink failure, describing it as an essential part of growth rather than an obstacle to success. He explained that setbacks help to build resilience, humility and problem-solving skills.

Turning his focus to career opportunities, Griffith highlighted the tourism industry as one of the most diverse and dynamic sectors in Barbados, extending beyond hotels and restaurants to include leadership, marketing, aviation, sustainability, cultural industries and entrepreneurship.

Drawing on his own career, which spans more than 20 years in the tourism and hospitality sector, Griffith said the industry offers local, regional and international opportunities for those willing to work, learn and lead.

He reminded students that their background does not determine their outcome, stressing that education is about developing capability, character and adaptability rather than simply acquiring qualifications.

As he concluded, Griffith urged students to respect their teachers, support one another and believe in their potential, even during moments of doubt.

“The future is not waiting for you,” he said. “It is being shaped by you, starting now.”

The ceremony also recognized outstanding academic achievement among students of Coleridge and Parry Secondary School.