Prefects of the Ellerslie Secondary School listen attentively to speakers at their training seminar, which was held recently at the Central Bank of Barbados’ Grand Salle.
By:
Krystal Penny Bowen
Fifty-six students from the Ellerslie Secondary School attended a special prefects’ training session at the Grand Salle on Tuesday.
The seminar, which was sponsored by the Central Bank of Barbados (CBB), was held under the theme “Swimming against the Tide...Towards Integrity” and featured three sessions by CBB representatives, certified trainers and counsellors.
During his opening remarks, Elleslie Principal Lt. Col. Errol Brathwaite told the students that as prefects they are ambassadors, and encouraged them to continue to develop the characteristics of a leader which include leading by example, the importance of being honest, trustworthy and having empathy.
Lt. Col. Brathwaite, who revealed that he was a head prefect back when he was at school, said his past decisions – particularly to join the Barbados Cadet Corps at 12 years old – helped him to refine his leadership skills.
“What you do at an early age will make a big difference throughout your lives,” he stated.
The seminar began with Senior Administrative Assistant at CBB, Mrs. Roseann King, who presented the first session entitled “Live! Learn! Lead!”. She gave an inspiring speech on leadership while advising the students to live their lives with intent; to work outside of their comfort zone; and the importance of not looking at the lives of others and assuming that they must take their path.
“To be significant, I am encouraging you to make a difference where you are, with whatever you have day by day,” said Mrs. King to the audience.
Prefect co-ordinator and teacher at the Ellerslie Secondary School, Mrs. Lisa Dottin, said she has great expectations for her students and it is important to have training sessions like this since there are no similar programmes within the school curriculum.
Mrs. Dottin, who has guided the prefects for about five years, added that the seminar gave students an opportunity to be in an environment beyond their school settings.
From her teaching experience, she said that often some schools placed too much of their attention on delinquent students. However, she believes that by encouraging the positive behaviours of students (prefects), this can have a similar influence on the student body.
“If we want to see change in the school system, we have to focus on the students who are doing well and push them to do well,” Mrs. Dottin asserted.
Representative from the CBB, Mrs. Arlene Estwick spoke to The Barbados Advocate and said that this was the first training seminar of this type for secondary school students hosted by the bank, and they were glad to assist Ellerslie Secondary school with their training.
To show their appreciation, students presented the speakers with gifts during the event.
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