Sandy Bay Secondary hosts Career Fair

The students of the Sandy Bay Secondary School took the community by storm in their first Career Fair and Recognition Day on Wednesday June 7, 2006. The Sixth Grade of the nearby Sandy Bay Primary School also participated. Dressed as judges and lawyers, police officers from the various branches, including the S.S.U., and the R. R.U., army officers, nurses, mechanics and cricketers with their bats and balls, they looked very professional. There was an abundance of prospective teachers, some doctors and one farmer.{{more}}

This career fair, organized by Natasha Lavia, was the idea of principal, Patty Pierre. Pierre said the intention was to motivate the students early concerning a career, so that they might work towards it during their high school years. The theme was “Careers through Literacy, Your Passport to the Future.”

Guest Speaker, Keisha Ballantyne of Sandy Bay, who just completed her final year at the University of the West Indies gave a resounding feature address. She applauded the government’s initiative of universal access to secondary education and stressed the importance of being functional literate in a competitive environment such as CSME. In support of the government’s work towards improving the academic and functional abilities of the people of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Ballantyne pointed out that her family would have been unable to afford her such an education were it not for the government’s intervention with economic cost. She informed the students that at present there are three scholarships reserved for the indigenous people of St Vincent and the Grenadines, a number she hopes would be doubled by the time the students are at an age where they stand to benefit. She urged them to work hard and make a name for the communities north of the Dry River.

Among those who were present to speak to the students about careers were ASP Anthony Humphrey representing the Royal St. Vincent and the Grenadines Police Force and Curtis Williams who did a scientific display on behalf of science oriented professionals. Esther Edwards explained the teaching profession and showed the financial advantages of further study and advancement. Basil Brackin did a presentation on mechanics while ace long-distance runner Pamenos Ballantyne spoke about athletics.

Dale Nero, Science and music teacher thanked the Education Project Management Unit (EPMU) for sponsorship in the form of musical instruments for the school band. With only three weeks training, the band amazed the audience with their performance. Dunston Johnson Project Manager spoke on behalf of EPMU and handed over the instruments.

Brendon Child, teacher and UWI Distance Education student also highlighted his Project, a literacy multimedia center. It was officially handed over by Jomo Thomas, the Director of the Social Investment Fund of SVG.

Jeanette Russell, the coordinator of Literacy for Leadership – Canada was on hand to officially handover the computer-reading room, a very effective means of aiding slow readers. The school is the first to have this computer-reading programme in the country.