Woe to the bloody city, all full of lies and booty no end to the plunder. The crack of whip and rumble of wheel, galloping horse and bounding chariot.
– The Book of Nahum 3: 1-2
THE PRESIDENT of the Barbados Association of Principals of Public Secondary Schools, Vere Parris, made a very interesting presentation on violence recently.
Parris is reported as saying that serious violence is not part of the everyday life in local schools.
“There are no war zones in our schools at large,” he said. “This does not in any way deny existence of school violence to some degree in some schools, but there is no compelling evidence of a school system replete with serious school violence.”
Parris was very honest during his presentation because we do have school violence in our schools which may not be on a big scale, but it is there and cannot be overlooked.
Only recently, teachers at Parkinson Memorial School stayed away from school during morning sessions to meet with their union because of what they claimed was school violence.
After that claim, school principal Jeff Broomes revealed to the news media and the public a number of knives and other sharp-edged implements brought to school by students.
Any form of violence is of great concern to all of us. The violence may not be on the school campuses, but it is on the buses and on our streets. The behaviour of some of our children leaves a lot to be desired.
The violence is there and it is now a big societal problem. So we must not bury our heads in the sand because it will not just go away that easily.
We all must remember that our schools are there to shape, mould and guide our young people because they will be our leaders of tomorrow.
Convention
The New Testament Church of God, South Parish, will launch its convention under the theme The Power of One Unity to Conquer at the River Road New Testament Church on Sunday at 9 a.m.
Production
The rector and church council will be holding a production Jesus Christ Superstar at the All Souls Anglican Church on March 29 at 5 p.m.
Appreciation and thanksgiving service
The Wesleyan Holiness Church in the Caribbean, in association with the Barbados District, will hold a special appreciation and thanksgiving service on Sunday at the Whitepark Wesleyan Holiness Church at 5 p.m. The service will be in honour of Jeanese Badenock.
Death
It is with regret that we learnt of the death on Monday of Myrna Squires. She was a member of the Barbados Festival Choir and the Barclays Singers. This column expresses its deepest sympathy to her children and other family members. May she rest in Jesus Christ and rise in glory.
An evening of seasonal music
The Calvary Moravian Church presents The Saviour Lives – An Evening of Seasonal Music at the church on Roebuck Street, on Sunday at 7 p.m.
Olivet to Calvary
The Choir of St Christopher’s Church presents J. H. Maunder: Olivet to Calvary on March 29 at the church at 6 p.m.
Clergy institutions
Reverend John Rogers will be instituted as rector of St George Parish Church tomorrow at 4 p.m.
Reverend Hugh Sandiford will be instituted as rector of St Matthias Church on March 28 at 4 p.m.
Midday devotions
Graduate teacher Kathy-Ann Waite-Gibson will be the speaker on Tuesday at the next midday Lenten service at The St Leonards’ Church, Westbury Road, St Michael at 12:05 p.m. The Theme is: Being Christian in the World Today: Testimonies of Christian Living.
The speaker on March 31 will be Dr Desiree H. A. Skeete, consultant pathologist.
Health and open day fair
The Hoggard AME Zion Church Jackson, St Michael, opposite One Accord Plaza will be holding a health and open day fair on March 28, from 7 a.m. until 5 p.m.
