Oracabessa Primary School honours parents

DOZENS OF parents, mostly mothers, turned out for the annual Oracabessa Primary School Parents Awards Day on Thursday as the school recognised them for their outstanding role.

David White was selected as Parent of the Year and was presented with a trophy and a certificate, while runner-up, Ryan Williams, received a plaque and certificate. Other parents each received a medal and a certificate as a show of appreciation by the school.

“I am humbled, overwhelmed and appreciative of this award,” White told The Gleaner. He added that he was happy that persons looking on could appreciate what he has done even though he was just doing it with a kind heart.

Another parent, Shoyan Bennett, whose daughter, Diamond, is in grade four, also expressed appreciation for the gesture by the school.

“It’s extremely an amazing feeling,” Bennett said. “As a parent, it’s good to put in the work and see your child execute, and it encourages you to continue to do better.”

Principal Gregory Davis, in welcoming the parents to the ceremony, held at the Grace Baptist Church in Oracabessa, hailed them as major stakeholders in the education sector.

“As a school, we wish to thank you for your invaluable support,” Davis told the parents.

Guidance counsellor Alex Carruthers said the annual event is greatly appreciated by the parents.

‘As a parent, it’s good to put in the work and see your child execute, and it encourages you to continue to do better.’

He further explained the selection process: “The Guidance Department interacts with the classroom teachers, they are the ones who interact with parents on a day-to-day basis so they provide information on parents who normally do things above and beyond, and based on those recommendations, we select parents and we award them during this time.”

Guest speaker, Pastor Paul Hemmings, in underlining the value of education, encouraged the parents to continue encouraging their children to read.

Parent-Teacher Association president, Carla Service Whyte, also encouraged the parents to continue being an influence in their children’s lives.

The grade six students at the school added some spice to the event by serenading the parents with a delightful rendition of the song, Children Live What They Learn.