One week after complaints over their move to the Whitepark Wesleyan Holiness Tabernacle, 131 pupils from Wesley Hall Junior School were relocated to Westbury Primary School and 35 to the nearby St Leonard’s Anglican Church this morning.
Parents ushered their Class 3 and 4 children to both locations as early as 8.am., some slightly confused as they were unsure if their child was to be at the church or the school. Chief Education Officer Dr Ramona Archer-Bradshaw and her team from the Ministry of Educational Transformation were on the compound to greet the children and their parents.
Pupils and staff from Wesley Hall joined those at Westbury Primary for morning worship, before the 35 left for classes in the church.
Archer-Bradshaw said the transition went well.
“This morning, things went very smoothly. The parents came and they dropped off their children and we had assembly where both schools were represented . . . . The children from Westbury verbally welcomed the students from Wesley Hall Junior School and there was a commitment from both sides through the nodding of heads that they will work together to make sure that everyone is comfortable,” she said.
The Ministry arranged a shuttle service from Wesley Hall Junior School but it was delayed this morning. Archer-Bradshaw assured the issue would be avoided for the remainder of the week.
Principal of Wesley Hall Junior School Greig Walters said staff and students adjusted to the new environment and he “looked forward to the continued support and cooperation of everyone involved”. He added that the teachers were comfortable with their new surroundings and looked forward to continue getting on with their job of teaching.
Meanwhile, 151 pupils representing Classes 1 and 2 remain at the YMCA on Pinfold Street, The City. Archer-Bradshaw said another four air-conditioning units are due to be installed today , in addition to the four put in place last week.
