New students get first look

FRESH FROM THEIR EFFORTS in the recent Common Entrance Examination, students from all across Barbados descended on the Alexandra School yesterday for their orientation.The beaming faces of the students told how proud they were to be attending the St Peter institution. They were accompanied by parents or older siblings, who seemed equally satisfied and had clearly spared no effort in making sure that every collar and shoe lace were in their proper place.Jerome Martin and his mum Cynthia Martin were among the proud pairs.Jerome, a student of the St Stephen’s School, said although it had been his goal to attend the St Michael’s School, he was nevertheless excited to be going to Alexandra.His mum Cynthia noted she had said a prayer on the day of the examination asking God to let him do his best, and she was happy with the results.Michael Roach was a contented father accompanying his daughter Andia, for the orientation. He said it had always been his daughter’s dream to attend Alexandra School.“She has affiliations here, so it was always her wish and as you can tell, she is very happy” he stated looking at his smiling daughter.Sianna Gibson, from the St Lucy Primary School, was another happy camper.For Sianna it is a dream come true, since the school is just a 10-minute drive away from home, and her older sister Shadae also attends the Alexandra School.But not all were too comfortable with their children attending the school “right now”.Ryan Jackman, who accompanied his daughter Jade, was one of those who made it clear that he wanted the ongoing dispute involving the principal and the Barbados Secondary Teachers Union to be settled before the new school term.“I hope that they get this issue settled before the students return to school in September. This issue that is going on now is not good for students. It’s like a mummy and daddy fighting, and just like we try to keep those things away from our children at home, we have to keep issues like that away from the students,” he stated.However, he noted he was proud that his daughter was attending the Alexandra School. (CT)