Barrouallie Secondary School celebrates 45 years

The Barrouallie Secondary School (BSS) celebrated 45 years as an educational institution on Monday.

In commemorating this milestone, the principal, staff, students and past students attended a thanksgiving church service at the St Patrick Anglican Church in Barrouallie.

The theme of the celebration is “Continuing to Strive at 45”. Welcome remarks were done by the present principal Dora James, who thanked the founders and past principals and staff who served the institution since its inception.

A brief history was shared by Kathleen Jeffers past student and counsellor at BSS and present Senior education officer at the Ministry of Education. She stated that January 11, 1971 was a very historic day in the community of Barrouallie, when the Barrouallie Junior Secondary School opened its doors and welcomed 480 students from the Barrouallie Anglican School, the Layou Primary School and the Spring Village Methodist School.

Remarks were also made by the constituency representative and deputy prime minister Sir Louis Straker, who congratulated the institution on its achievement. He said that his government had promised to rebuild and relocate the school and delivered it in 2009. Special songs were done by local gospel singers Ronnie Richardson and Mrs Kioka Crickshank- Jack, past students.

The feature address came from Reverend Dr Elsworth Neale, a member of the graduating class of 1992. He delivered the sermon and challenged the institution on the theme “Continue to Strive at 45”. His text was taken from Philippians 3.

He told the packed audience that in continuing to strive, the institution must work on the power of performance; work on attitude to improve; and let go of past negative influences.

He encouraged the institution not to focus on past negative experiences, but rather to look ahead to the future. Challenges will arise, however; collectively, we must rise above them. Try not to focus energy on the negatives of the past, the future is bright and there is hope even in this present generation.

The service was followed by a social activity at the newly constructed BSS (also known as the Central Leeward Secondary School) located in Peter’s Hope. The celebrations will continue for the year.

The school was founded on January 11, 1971; its inaugural principal was George Bailey, who served from 1971 to 1978.