NIA-CHARLESTOWN, NEVIS (February 4^TH, 2011) — It was an evening of poetry, dance, award presentations and speeches, last Saturday [Jan. 29], when past and present teachers, principals, students and school supporters gathered at the Occasions Events Centre for an awards ceremony and dinner to mark the 40^th anniversary of the St. Thomas’ Primary School [STPS].

The ceremony, hosted by Area Representative for the St. Thomas’ Parish the Honourable Joseph Parry recognised “the outstanding contribution of the men and women who would have served and continue to serve at the school.”

STPS, described as a “great institution” by teacher Mr. Rohan Isles hosted a number of activities, as part of its anniversary celebration, throughout the month of January. The activities included an anniversary service, a quiz competition and a talent show dubbed “St. Thomas’ got talent.”

Saturday night’s awardess in the categories of past principals, teachers with more than 20 years of service, teachers with more than 10 years of service and outstanding contribution to the school, Mr. Isles said, “believe in the holistic development of our children, believe in excellence and believe in all that is good.”

Principal at the St. Thomas’ Primary School Ms. Norlene Smithen

Those beliefs he added, were synonymous with the ideals of Nevis’ premier primary institution: the St. Thomas’ Primary School.

In her remarks, the school’s principal, Ms. Norlene Smithen, said she was “profoundly grateful” that “many individuals would have worked consistently and gone above and beyond the call of duty to ensure that the school produced productive citizens” adding that “the pivotal role they played was essential to the success of the institution” which she described as remarkable and chairperson Isles described as magnificent.

Mrs. Violet Nicholls, Mr. Oban Lawrence, Mr. Melford Ward, Ms. Rovita Butler, Mr. Autnell Swanston, Ms. Earlene Maynard and Ms. Norlene Smithen were recognised for their years of service as principals at the school.

“The principals could not however do it alone,” Ms. Smithen said, adding that “the most qualified, hardworking, energetic and devoted teachers were selected to teach the children of the St. Thomas’ community.”

The awardees in the 20 years and more category were Mrs. Carmen Lawrence, Mrs. Lucia Wilkinson, Mrs. Eglantine Hanley, Ms. Donna Browne, Mrs. Clara Budgeon, Ms. Adlyn Hamilton and Mr. Livingston Lawrence while Mrs. Sharima Powell-Parry, Mrs. Sandra Flemming, Mrs. Nadine Jeffers, Mrs. Joycelyn Washington, Ms. Trisha Griffin, Mr. Rohan Isles, Ms. Vera Herbert, Mr. Ashley Farrell and Mrs. Janice Whittaker-Richards received awards for their ten years of service to STPS.

Education Officer Mrs. Avril Elliott presents award to Mr. Sylvester Pemberton for outstanding years of service to the St. Thomas’ Primary School

Principal Smithen expressed the view that “the backbone of the school is a very supportive community,” a community she credited for the school’s many successes.

The awardees in the “outstanding service to the school” category were Mr. Sylvester Pemberton, Mr. Rodney Flemming, Mr. Kenneth Warner, Mr. Carlisle Davis, Mrs. Dornaly Hendrickson, Mr. Frank Monzac, Ms. Chantel Nisbett, Mrs. Tamara Letang, Ms. Shabaina Powell, Ms. Shaundell Bernard, Ms. Jasmine Charles, Ms. Alison Dore, Ms. Kishanna Fraser, Mrs. Mary James, Mrs. Judy Usher, Ms. Shenelka Clarke, Ms. Latasha Isles, Mr. Shonroy Caesar, Mr. Emmanuel Richards, Ms. Kimoy Pemberton, Mrs. Ayana Williams, Mrs. Althea Liburd, Ms. Julitta Parris, Mrs. Shaolin Stapleton, Ms. Diana Jeffers, Mrs. Lecia Jeffers-Browne, Mrs. Valda Grant, Ms. Zona Hamilton and Ms. Claudette Radgman.

In addition to the 29 awardees in the “outstanding service to the school” category, Ms. Smithen publicly recorded her appreciation to Mr. Parry who also holds the post of Nevis’ Premier and Minister of Education, permanent secretaries Ms. Angelica Elliott and Mr. Joseph Wiltshire, the immediate past Principal Education Officer [PEO] Mrs. Jennifer Hodge and her successor PEO Mrs. Lornette Queeley-Connor and other education officials Mrs. Avril Elliott and Dr. Bronte Gonsalves.

“They have provided expert supervision over the past decade and have rallied around the school consistently over the years through its successes and failures,” Ms. Smithen said.