President Lt. Col. Bostic Praises The Ellerslie School

President of Barbados, His Excellency, Lieutenant Colonel, The Most Honourable, Jeffrey Bostic, has commended the students and staff of The Ellerslie School, saying the institution has a “rich and enduring history” and “great heritage”.

President Bostic made the comments as he addressed the school during a visit last Friday, where he also highlighted the number of clubs and extracurricular activities available to students.

Noting the school’s rapid growth from its first day of operation on September 26, 1966, with a roll of about 330 students to approximately 1,700 within a few years, His Excellency said it pointed to the school’s “resilience”, especially on the part of the staff and then Headmaster, Cuthbert Brathwaite.

He said it was this resilience and innovative approach to learning that helped develop the school into a “very productive, energetic and enduring institution”. 

In the 1970s, the institution became the fourth school across the island to have a cadet programme (the Number Four Cadet Company).

President Bostic said the school “did so well in a short space of time” that the cadet programme “was expanded to include all secondary schools in Barbados”. He lauded the school for pioneering the growth of the island’s cadet corps.

In his address, Sea Cadet Jevon Harris, of the school’s cadet corps, shared that being a cadet “is not easy” as it is “demanding, challenging and requires unwavering commitment”.

Mr. Harris remarked: “Every challenge we face, every drill we complete, and every rehearsal we endure shapes us into stronger, more focused individuals.”

In her remarks, Principal Andrea Baptiste, highlighted the school’s vision “to produce well-rounded citizens who can function effectively in a dynamic, global community”.  

“We have witnessed many of our alumni set firmly and positively in their stations across this nation and beyond,” Mrs. Baptiste stated.

Under the theme “Beacons of Ellerslie, Source of Light and Education”, the school showcased performances and highlighted its various club activities covering the arts, culture, cheerleading, service (e.g. cadets), sports and transformational groups, including aviation, business, leadership and science and technology.

Chairman of the Board of Management of The Ellerslie School, Shakira Holder, presented awards for 100 per cent attendance to two members of the teaching staff – Major Naomi Williams and O’Brian Worrell. President Bostic received tokens of appreciation, including artwork from former student Leah Jemmott. (PR/GIS)

Caption: President of Barbados, His Excellency, Lieutenant Colonel, The Most Honourable, Jeffrey Bostic, speaking to staff and students of The Ellerslie School during a visit last Friday