Schools across the island will commemorate this island???s 49th Anniversary of Independence with a series of cultural activities next week.
Independence Day, which falls on Monday, November 30, will be celebrated through dance, song, poetry, the wearing of national colours, the sale of Bajan delicacies, and, in some cases, educational tours across the island and flag-raising ceremonies.??Events of the past will also feature prominently.
St. Lawrence Primary School will hold a week of literacy and Independence activities from Monday, November 23, to Friday, November 27, under the theme: Read and Move to the Rhythm of the Bajan Beat. The week also begins with the launch of the Schools’ Positive Behavioural Management Programme
At St. Luke???s/Brighton Primary, on Wednesday, November 25, there will be a flag-raising ceremony and church service at St. Luke???s Church, St. George, at 9:00 a.m.
This will be followed by an Independence Quiz on Thursday, November 26. On Friday, November 27, the school will host a healthy cultural extravaganza and cook off showcasing the skills of parents and teachers in preparing cou cou, pudding and souse and other treats, which will be judged by a team of well-known Barbadian chefs. Both days??? activities start at 10:00 a.m.
On Thursday, November 26, there will be a flag raising ceremony at George Lamming Primary, Flint Hall, St. Michael, from 9:00 a.m. Minister of Tourism, Richard Sealy, will take the salute and address the students, who will later enjoy tuk band music, a medley of singing from their peers and engage in a quiz competition. The school will also celebrate with a concert on Friday, November 27, from 9:00 a.m.
Also on Friday, November 27, tiny tots at Government Hill Nursery School will enjoy a programme comprising a flag raising ceremony, Bajan games, music, song and dance from 9:15 a.m., under the theme: The Bajan In Me.
On that same day, at Eden Lodge Nursery School, I am A Proud Barbadian will be portrayed through various characters from 9:30 a.m. Children will take on the personas of the Shaggy Bear, Mother Sally and even a green monkey as they listen to folk songs and dance and sing along.
At Christ Church Girls, the highlight on Friday November 27, will be a cheerleader???s parade and an exhibition of Old Barbados, where a number of artefacts and cultural events will be displayed under the theme: Reflecting Pride and Industry: 49 and Moving on! The programme begins at 9:00 a.m.
Ignatius Byer Primary, Lowlands, St. Lucy, will host a concert on Friday, November 27, from 10:00 a.m. Children, dressed in national colours, will display artefacts and their projects on Nation Builders ??? the theme for the celebrations. They will also sing and recite rhythm poetry.
At the secondary level, St. Leonard???s Boys??? will host an extravaganza on Thursday, November 26, with an Independence Quiz for first formers starting at 9:00 a.m. Activities will culminate on Friday, November 27, beginning at 8:15 a.m., with a cadet parade, science project display, treasure hunt and road tennis matches.
Meanwhile, at St. George Secondary, where activities begin at 9:00 a.m., there will be a flag-raising ceremony on Friday, November 27. It will be followed immediately by a mini fair where Bajan delicacies will be on sale and, at noon, by the Annual Georgian Rising Star Talent competition, where students will compete for prizes and trophies.
Parents and guardians, as well as the general public, are invited to participate in activities staged at schools across the island.
joy-ann.gill@barbados.gov.bb