President tells Half Moon Fort students to dream big despite small size

President Jeffrey Bostic on Tuesday encouraged students of Half Moon Fort Primary School to never allow the school’s small size to limit their ambitions, telling them that “smallness” should never stop them from achieving great things.

During a visit to the school, the President praised the students, principal and staff for their presentations and described the institution as “a hidden gem”.

“I want to say to you, ma’am, and to your entire staff and this school, that you all have a hidden gem here in this school,” he said.

Bostic, who interacted closely with students and teachers throughout the morning, reflected on his own upbringing in a small community and attending a small primary school, saying those experiences shaped who he became.

“Being a small school does not stop you from thinking and dreaming big. Being a small school does not stop you from learning well. Being a small school does not stop you from reaching high heights when you get older,” he told the students.

The students and staff of Half Moon Fort Primary School. (Photo Credit: Lauryn Escamilla/Barbados TODAY)

Barbados itself was proof that size did not determine success, the President said.

“Barbados is a small country. Maybe compared to others. But we don’t think small, we think big.”

Drawing from his own experiences, he explained that he grew up in a tightly knit community where neighbours supported one another and everyone knew each other by name.
“We help one another and it became one family,” he said, contrasting that with modern communities where people often do not know their neighbours.

The President also used the occasion to encourage the children to take responsibility for their own futures. “If it is to be, it is up to me,” he repeated alongside the students, describing it as “ten two-letter words”.

“At the end of the day, it’s not up to anybody else where you go from here but you yourselves. It’s up to you,” he said.

He urged students not to depend on others to do their work for them. “So those of you who go home and take home your homework and the parents do it for you and you come back here and say this is my homework, you’re wasting time,” he said to laughter from the audience.

President Bostic also reassured students who may not have performed well in the Common Entrance Examination that there were still many opportunities ahead of them.

“That’s a one-time examination,” he said. “There are people who have not done well at common entrance, not gone to what they call the better secondary schools, but who have done exceedingly well.”

The event began with students reciting the school’s morning prayer before Principal Orlaine Benn officially welcomed the President and guests.

“Our school quietly nestled in Clinketts Gardens is very small, but within these walls live big dreams, bright minds, and limitless potential,” Benn said.

She explained that the school’s theme this year is ‘Dream big, aim high’ while the motto, ‘Beyond the moon to the stars’, encourages students to believe there are no limits to what they can accomplish.

“We teach our children that with determination, discipline, faith, and hard work, they can rise above every obstacle and reach heights they may once have thought impossible,” she said.

The principal said the President’s visit was especially meaningful for the school’s 38 students.

“Having the opportunity to meet someone who serves with purpose and leadership helps them to see that success is not something distant or unreachable. It becomes real, attainable, and inspiring,” she added.

Students entertained guests with performances in both Spanish and English. The junior department recited a poem while the infant department performed a bilingual rendition of ‘This Little Light of Mine’. The school also staged a dramatic presentation entitled ‘The Sound We Carry’.

President Bostic later commended the performances, particularly praising one student who recited in Spanish.

“I was wondering, though, if the first student who came up here and recited the poem first in Spanish, if he was from a Spanish-speaking country,” he said before learning the student was from Cuba. “He said it really good, though; I really enjoyed those.”

Speaking afterwards, Benn said the performances highlighted the growth of two Cuban students who entered the school unable to speak English.

“When they both came here, neither one of them spoke English and we were at our wits’ end as to how we were supposed to manage this process,” she said.

“I really have to give credit to the staff here, they’re family, they worked with them. Now… the younger of the two, is very good at his English.”

She said the President’s visit gave the students confidence and encouraged them to stretch beyond their comfort zones.

“We might be small, but we are mighty,” Benn declared.

Following his address, the President took questions from both students and teachers, answering queries ranging from his favourite Bajan dish to his previous career and what the best thing about being president is, which was asked in Spanish.

Student asking the President a question. (Photo Credit: Lauryn Escamilla/Barbados TODAY)

The visit concluded with Bostic assisting in the planting of a strawberry plant in the school’s garden, which already contains herbs and crops including chives, broad leaf thyme and rosemary.

The student leaders of Half Moon Fort Primary School showing the school garden to the President, accompanied by the principal. (Photo Credit: Lauryn Escamilla/Barbados TODAY)

As the President prepared to leave, several excited students ran to hug him, thanking him for visiting their school.

(LE)

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المصدر: Barbados Today