TWO MONDAYS AGO, out of sympathy for the little tykes who, two Tuesdays ago, completed the Secondary Schools’ Common Entrance Examination, I did the maths section of a practice paper. Today, I’ll give “Language Arts” a shot; which may well end up between my own eyes. Children get 80 minutes to answer 85 “items” – a strike rate that might be envied in Torture20 cricket. These questions are taken from an actual test paper.Write the correct form of the adjective in brackets: Question 1. The guest of honour was given the (comfortable) seat in the hall. If the guest of honour was a Rasta at a police station, he was given the most comfortable seat on the edge of a cliff; if he was at the Yacht Club, he was given the most comfortable car washing space. Question 2. Roshonna is Chaunte’s (loyal) friend. Answer: Roshonna is Chaunte’s African-American friend. Underline the word in brackets that correctly completes each sentence:Question 6. Several curious onlookers converged at the (seen, scene) of the accident. Answer: Seen; Bajans converge at the scene of an accident, but only to be seen. Question 25. Five West Indies cricketers (excels, excel) in Australia. Can’t answer because the past tense is not an option and the last time five WI cricketers didn’t shame themselves in Australia, Viv Richards had hair.Write the present tense of the verb in brackets: Question 16. Barbadian singing sensation Rihanna (won) another Grammy Award. It doesn’t matter what Rihanna wins, once she keeps Chris Brown lost. Question 20. Chris Gayle (struck) the ball over the pavilion. Another trick question: you can only strike the ball if you’re still in the tournament. Sorry, Chris.Insert the missing punctuation mark: Question 30. The children’s breakfast consisted of eggs bacon plantains and chicken nuggets. Where are these children eating? By Granny and KFC simultaneously? And what the hell are bacon plantains? They must mean bacon burgers; so it was lunch all along.Rewrite the sentences in the passive voice.Question 54. Many tourists have visited Harrison’s Cave. Answer: Not in this guava/tourist season. Indicate the part of speech of each underlined word:Question 63. Writing can be a very creative form of communication. Answer: not in the Advocate. Question 65. Roger assisted the fallen senior citizen. If this was in a back street in The City, Roger knocked him down first and assisted him by relieving him of the burden of carrying his wallet. Question 67. We should express gratitude for the blessings of life. This question must have escaped from the passive voice section. Answer: Gratitude for the blessings of life should be expressed by the poor; the rich should be glad for Bible class that keeps people happy to be poor.Next week, we essay the essay. • BC Pires (is, are) not (failing, feeling) whale.
Pupils get pep talk
STUDENTS of the Alleyne School in St Andrew were given a pep talk by distinguished transplant surgeon Dr Velma Scantlebury-White last Friday .The Barbadian and former student of the school who is now based in the United States, was home for a short visit and took the opportunity to speak to the students of her alma mater. In her speech Dr Scantlebury-White told the students that they should set their goals early in life and work hard towards achieving them. “Nothing good in life comes easy and to achieve or to be the best in what you do, you need to make sacrifices,” she advised. She said when she first decided to enter the field of medicine and surgery she was greeted with many obstacles, negativity and challenges. “One was whether I had the capabilities to succeed or even what it took to get there, especially as a female trying to enter into a predominately male profession. It was even suggested that I should consider doing less demanding things like radiology or paediatrics. Despite all of that I pursued what I wanted to do and not what others wanted me to do. “Of course there were limitations and obstacles along the way but I think my determination and drive to prove that I could really do it, is what kept pushing me to see if I could succeed in the face of all the discouragement along the way. In the end I was able to do it.“Today I wish you to encourage the students in the various schools to dream high, to have a goal and a vision of where you see yourself. In seeing yourself in the future, you should create a path as to how you will get there,” she added.Dr Scantlebury-White, who is attached to the Christiana Care Hospital in Delaware as the director of their Kidney Transplant Programme, delivered the annual Olive Trotman Memorial Lecture at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre sponsored by the Barbados Public Workers Cooperative Credit Union.
Helping hand for fire victim
ALMOST one year ago Sandra Straker of Wildey, St Michael lost everything she owned to fire leaving her and her children with just the clothes on their backs. The fire having started in the early morning originated in the living room, forcing the family to brave the flames to escape. With the help of Santia Bradshaw, the Barbados Labour Party candidate for St Michael South East, who solicited assistance from two businesses Sandra Straker was soon going to be in a position to make a living for herself again. Through donations from Carter’s & Co and Island Properties Ltd she is on her way to achieving that goal. She was presented with building materials and a grill.Commenting on the presentation Bradshaw said: “I was moved by the fact that Sandra wanted assistance not in cash, but to be given the tools necessary to assist in her being self sufficient once again.”Straker, who claims to make the best pudding and souse, is looking forward to having her shop set up at her Factory Avenue, Wildey, St Michael home. With emotion in her voice Straker said: “Miss Bradshaw is the only person who came to my assistance after this happened other than the Welfare Department. She is helping me to start my shop back up so I pay my own bills.” Farzana Juman-Humphrey of Carter’s in Wildey said: “Carter’s places great emphasis on giving back to the communities it serves. We’re happy we could assist Sandra in such an important matter.” (PR)
Protect against ills of the internet
Protecting children from the dark side of the Internet, says Prime Minister David Thompson, remains a priority for Barbados, even though the new information and communication technology (ICT) age throws up some good possibilities for the country.This was the word to the congregation of the Mount of Praise Wesleyan Holiness Church in Tudor Bridge, St Michael, yesterday.In the message read on his behalf by the Ministry of Finance, Investment, Telecommunications and Energy’s Permanent Secretary Ronald Bascombe, Thompson said that Barbadians must never lose sight of the need for “protecting children in cyberspace”.He did not elaborate, but major concerns about children using the Internet included the possibility of access to pornography and exposure to predators such as paedophiles. “We recognise children to be a vulnerable group and, to this end, our telecommunications unit continues to promote this theme, and will be arranging, through the Ministry of Education, . . . a series of awareness presentations to our primary school children,” the message from Thompson read.“In this way, we will develop cyber-smart children and in the long run cyber-smart citizens, thereby facilitating the development of better cities and better lives with ICTs in a safe and secure environment.”The message was to mark World Telecommunications And Information Society Day today.It noted “smart buildings” – those using the new technologies to maximise benefits in energy, lighting, space, comfort, security and other areas – among the good ICT spin-offs.“On our near horizon, many new and innovative ways of managing our country Barbados will emerge,” Thompson’s message said.“These will include the establishment of “smart buildings”, the deployment of intelligent traffic management systems, realising new efficiencies in energy consumption and waste management, exchanging information and knowledge, and communicating on the move,” it added. Officials from the ministry as well as ICT service providers attended the church service.They heard Pastor Ronnie Quimby urge the congregation to maintain contact with God, as the “service provider”.Quimby said marriages were breaking down because one or both partners had lost that connection.When a marriage was in trouble, “the reality is that somewhere, somehow somebody has been disconnected”, he told the congregation.According to Quimby, messages about sexual abstinence and the use of a condom “every time” were likely to fail unless they had a religious basis because “desires will control you unless you are connected to God”. (TY)
Centenarian celebrates with worship
One of Onesta “Viola” Albertina Devonish’s greatest loves has been attending church.
Not only did Barbados’ latest centenarian attend service every Sunday at the Whitepark Wesleyan Holiness Church, but she also ventured to nearby churches that held services during the week, to satisfy her thirst for God.
Such was the testimony from her granddaughter Yonnette Murray as she spoke lovingly of her Onesta, who celebrated her birthday on Friday with family and friends.
Murray, who was speaking at a celebratory church service in Onesta’s honour at the Whitepark Road church, told of how her grandmother loved to eat, but often showed concern, making sure that all others around her were well fed, even before she herself started to feast.
Murray also spoke of her grandmother’s love for basketball and how she often visited the YMCA to watch games, to the extent that she was even got the Most Ardent Fan Award in the 1980s.
She loved cricket too and often found herself at Kensington Oval, sometimes unknown to her family.
Family member Leslie Murray told how Onesta covered him with prayer from the time he was a child, while Jeffrey Blackman paid respects to her for having been “a chirpy, special old lady” who had played an important part in his life.
The centenarian was also treated to songs from the Sunday School department and a saxophone selection by Dr Joy Pollard, and was presented with a plaque and monetary gift from the church by Reverend Joel Cumberbatch.
“Thank God, thank God, thank God,” Onesta responded when Cumberbatch asked her what had contributed to her longevity.
Onesta, who was born on May, 14, 1910, in Baxter’s St Andrew, has two daughters, five grands and eight great-grands.
Insurer: It’s a strategic move
British American Insurance Co. (Barbados) Ltd is urging its policyholders not to panic as it seeks a buyer for its operations.Moreover, the company said, it desired judicial management in order to preserve investors’ interests, and such a move should not be viewed in a negative light.According to a letter sent to policyholders in March, British American’s chief executive officer and general manager Keith King said: “Negotiations have started with a number of strategic investors, with the view of transferring the ownership to a new entity.”The insurance boss told policyholders that since parent company CL Financial in Trinidad and Tobago was “no longer actively involved” in the strategic management of the Barbados operation, the appointment of a judicial manager was in keeping with the company’s desire to continue to preserve the interests of its policyholders, and should not be seen as negative.Policyholders were assured that claims would continue to be serviced, but were told that, with the permission of the Supervisor of Insurance, the company had “temporarily suspended payments on withdrawals and surrenders” until a judicial manager was appointed.One year ago, British American Insurance assured its policyholders that it was able to continue “as a going concern”. The insurance company promised to be “fully operational”, and told its clients that it was working “assiduously” to ensure their interests as policyholders were preserved. (MM)
From this week’s Business Authority now on sale islandwide.
Swift by name and nature
Sprint hurdler Greggmar Swift stunned the field to win the men’s 100 metres last Saturday night at the National Stadium during the staging of the 10th Austin Sealy Invitational Trac Classic.Showing no signs of the injury which almost prevented him from attending the CARIFTA Games, Swift made a late surge, overtaking both Elroy Agard of Rising Stars and The Lodge Schools’ Shekeim Greaves – who had a bad start – to stop the clock in 10.66 seconds, a new personal best.Agard was a hair’s breadth behind in 10.68 seconds and Greaves third in 10.69.The Under-17 girls’ race was also a major talking point with 12-year-old Tristan Alleyne of Rising Stars stepping up two divisions. Parkinson’s Shavonte Bradshaw had the best start, but faded to fourth as Alleyne surged through the middle. However, Akela Taylor of Quantum Leap had too much pride to be beaten by an Under-13 athlete. She nosed ahead to win in 12.32 seconds, Alleyne was second in 12.34 and Ariel Jackson of Freedom Striders third in 12.42 as the crowd screamed in appreciation.Deon Hope won the boys’ race in a record 10.96 seconds, Pacers’ Joshua Walcott (11.22) and Rising Stars’ Shaquille Hollingsworth (11.25) finished some distance behind for the other places.Sprint Tech’s Sanya Penn of British Virgin Islands won the women’s event in a record 11.97 seconds, erasing Mara Weekes’ 12 seconds record. Weekes of Quantum Leap was second in 12.07 seconds and Shavonne Husbands of Freedom Striders moved up to the senior division and was third in 12.23.In the junior section, Jamahl Burke of Williams Industries West Terrace Tigers won the Under-11 boys’ race in 13. 42 seconds, erasing the 13.69 set four years ago by Mario Burke. Fabian Leon of Rising Stars was second in 13.53 and Kevon Hall of the Caribbean Union of Teachers (CUT) squad was third in 13.62.CUT’s Shontae Cole (14.33) and Janiah Drakes (14.48); and Rosette Hoyte (14.56) of Rising Stars took the top places among the girls.Renike Daniel of Gladiators won the Under-15 girls’ race in 12.86 seconds and Ramarco Thompson of Freedom Striders (11.80) held form and sustained his speed to edge teammate Oyimpreye Ekiyor (11.86) in the boys’ race.In the two new events, West Terrace twins Leilani Haddock (12.28) and Ajani Haddock (11.60) won the Under-9 80 metres dash, both miles ahead of their competition in the timed finals.The 400 metres turned out to be canters for the winners. Parkinson’s Sonia Gaskin (57.40) and Jerrad Mason (48.83) and Jamal Marshall (48.17) of Rising Stars all came home unchallenged. In the women’s race, Samantha John of Sprint Tech set a new record of 55.57.The CUT’s Tianna Bowen and Kedane Pollard also set new records in the Under-13 400m – Bowen clocked 62.21 seconds and Pollard 58.80.In the field events, John Jones of Elite Distance won the men’s javelin with 59.90 metres. Kevon Charles of Gladiators was second with 58.62m and former CARIFTA medallist Terry Nurse on return after a five-year break placed third with 54.81 metres.Nicoliai Bovelle (57.32m) won the Under-17 boys’ event from his Elite Distance teammate Janeil Craigg (53.09) and Antonio Waldron (45.06m) of Princess Margaret.Charles Walcott won the men’s shot put with 14.16m; BC Trac’s Tristan Whitehall won the Under-17 event with 14.18m and CUT’s Ricardo Bovell was the Under-15 champion with 10.04m. BC Trac’s Shannon Green won the under-17 girls’ discus with 25.62m and Leah Bannister the women’s throw with 37.78m.Charles Greaves of Paces won the triple jump with a personal best 14.35m.
Simmons ends Pine slump
SO MUCH FOR Ramon Simmons’ slump and any hopes Pinelands might fall into one.The national swingman had a Premier League basketball season high 28 points and added a game-saving block for good measure, as the Pine rebounded from Thursday’s loss to the Cavs by downing plummeting Nicholls Baking Cougars 77-71 on Saturday at the YMCA.It was his second straight game shooting at least 50 per cent from the field after starting the season missing 48 of his first 64 shot attempts while going a woeful 31 of 113 in six previous contests.However, the skills that made Simmons a national player three years ago were definitely on show in three separate outbursts which kept Pinelands from slumping to their first two-game losing streak on the season.The first came as a nine-point second quarter effort in a high-scoring duel against Godfrey Leacock, reducing Cougars’ early 29-19 advantage to a mere one-point lead (32-31) by the half-time break.But if Simmons was matched shot-for-shot in that period, he certainly had no equal in the ensuing third while erupting for 12 points, as Pinelands led by as many as ten points (53-43) late in the quarter.At one point the athletic swingman accounted for eight straight Pine points, singlehandedly thwarting the efforts of Leacock, Ricardo Jemmott and Antonio Yearwood by hitting a pair of three-pointers that sandwiched two lay-us.However, Yearwood threatened early in the fourth, scoring on an “and-one” play on drive to the hoop before spinning in the lane and handing-off for a dunking Jemmott to pull Cougars within five (60-55).Steve Sealy ended that rally with a timely triple though, before Simmons added five quick points and a crucial chase-down block of a certain Leacock transition lay-up to secure the final decision.Charles Vanderpool assisted Simmons with 12 points and 12 rebounds while Jemmott top-scored for Cougars with 17 points and 13 boards.Earlier, Alwyn Lovell scored ten of his season high 20 points in the third quarter before sitting out the fourth, as lowly Colombian Emeralds International Senators got their second win of the season in an 82-65 thrashing of the short-handed Sagicor Tridents.
Collingwood praises his men
by HAYDN GILLA SPRINT among England teammates from the dug out to the middle to embrace captain Paul Collingwood told the story.The capture of the ICC World Twenty20 that won them their first ever global title meant the world to them at Kensington Oval yesterday.“This is right up there. It’s very, very special,” Collingwood told reporters after they trounced Australia by seven wickets in the final.“I don’t know if it is because I’m captain, but it feels exceptionally special to be the first team to win a World Cup for England. “It has been a team performance. It hasn’t been one man. The boys have done a fantastic job. A lot of credit goes to the thought process and the execution of plans. It has been absolutely spot on.”This was England’s first success in 35 years since the ICC has been staging global tournaments and it came in impressive fashion against a team that had marched to the final with a 100 per cent winning record.In the words of some, it was like if a huge load had been taken off their shoulders.“We’re the first team – to win a World Cup is very special. We knew there was a monkey on our backs. We knew what it meant,” said Collingwood, who had the pleasure of hitting the winning run.“I’m so pleased with the last few performances. In pressurised situations against Sri Lanka and Australia, we were absolutely spot on. “I am just delighted with the boys. I can go right the way throughout the team. Everybody has contributed along the way. We played well as a team. Everybody has gelled well and we fully deserve it.”The manner of their triumph in the final was awesome, restricting Australia to 147 for six and marching to victory in 17 overs after a second wicket century partnership between opener Craig Kieswetter and Kevin Pietersen.“We just wanted to win. It is as simple as that, whether it be off the last ball or [with] ten overs to spare. We just wanted to win. That’s what counts – to win a World Cup,” Collingwood said.“It doesn’t matter how good you look. It might look easy from outside, but it was a lot of hard work and lot of heartache.”
Need for a scientific study
As would be expected, charges that some Barbadian secondary schools have become virtual hotbeds of lesbianism and gangs triggered a robust debate among the general public, as reflected in the Press and on the radio call-in shows in particular.This discourse can be said to have been far too heavily characterised by a torrent of instant analysis, based for the most part on emotionalism and morality and on little or no empirical evidence. As a result, while the public discussion seems to have abated now, it would appear to have thus far generated much more heat than light, with the community being no better educated about these issues.While the matters ventilated can understandably appear to threaten the integrity of our education system, which plays such a key role in our institutional life, it does not and should not mean that the society as a whole should settle for a knee-jerk reaction to them, and thereby thrash about in search of instant solutions.As a matter of fact, the society’s reaction should be the exact opposite with a well considered effort being made to examine the issues in as factual, objective, calm, dispassionate and professional a manner as possible.That is why we are submitting that our society would be far better served if these allegations of widespread school-based lesbianism and gang formation were to be subjected to the rigorous scrutiny of scientific study, an exercise which admittedly could take at least a few weeks to be conducted and its findings analysed.But at the same time, the Barbadian public would be assured of the findings of a probe that would be better able to determine the true nature, extent, causes and influences behind these reported phenomena.The harsh reality is that Barbados cannot afford to base its national response to them by relying heavily on large doses of anecdotal information, or evidence not obtained through universally accepted social science methods. To do otherwise would be to run the very real risk of proceeding along faulty, skewed and scientifically unsound lines in what is done from hereon. It is well known that where conducting social investigation is concerned, a major factor is that major differences in the outcome are influenced by the methods adopted in relation to the manner in which the survey is structured and administered and the types and quality of interviewing and other information gathering techniques employed, and even the wording of the questions asked. Any remedial action eventually adopted can be flawed and ineffective if it is based on information, conclusions and recommendations that are in themselves defective, inadequate and inappropriate. Thus the need for proper scientific evaluation. If such a study is not done effectively, the net result is that any problems which exist could become aggravated, because the core causal factors would not have been properly addressed.