Come Wednesday, Boscobel Primary School will bear the name of one of Barbados’ distinguished sons.
The 125-year-old school at Gays, St Peter, will be renamed after retired governor general Sir Elliott Belgrave, in a ceremony that will be attended by Acting Governor General Sir Philip Greaves and Minister of Education Ronald Jones.
Well-placed sources in the Ministry of Education told the Saturday Sun that the ministry was approached by members of the community, old scholars, and the parent-teacher association who asked them to consider renaming the school after the seventh Barbadian governor general, who retired on June 30 this year.
Sir Elliott, a former student of the school and resident of the rural district, was governor general for five years
“Additionally, when we considered how he visited the primary schools during his time in office, how he interacted and connected with the students, teachers, staff and parents,
it attested to his character and we thought it a fitting tribute to his role and to him as a distinguished Barbadian,” the source said.
During the anniversary service at St Philip-the-less Anglican Church earlier this year, Sir Elliott said he was “delighted to be back home”.
He also fondly recalled memories of his days there, noting that it was an elementary school for boys. His principal, Mr Riley, and the staff during his days there ensured his classmates had
a strong foundation as they moved on to secondary school, he said.
Sir Elliott also said that the school was where he developed his love for agriculture and gardening.
Boscobel Primary School was opened in January 1892. The principal is Norma Worrell. There are 11 teachers and a roll of about 106 students. (GBM)
