It was an exciting occasion for parents, guardians and teachers of the newly built Maria Holder Nursery School which threw opened its doors for the first time Monday morning to welcome 16 students to its spanking new facility.
The school, located on the compound of Sharon Moravian Church in St Thomas, is a joint venture between the Government, the Ministry of Education, The Maria Holder Memorial Trust and the Moravian Church of Barbados which donated the land for the construction of the school.
Students were met at the door with broad smiles from the school’s principal Shelly Boyce and members of her teaching staff.
After a formal introduction between the students and the teachers, the school got off on a positive note with a prayer from resident priest of the Sharon, the Reverend Ezra Parris, who asked for God’s blessing on everyone involved in making the new school possible.
And after prayers, the students began exploring their surroundings as well as playing with some of the games and toys on hand, while their parents and guardians were taken on a guided tour of the facility by the principal.
Speaking to the DAILY NATION about her plans for the school, Boyce said she was eagerly looking forward to executing a number of new initiatives aimed at making the school one of the best in the country.
“We are all very excited to be here to welcome the first batch of 16 students as well as their guardians to the school. The school is built to accommodate a maximum of 120 students but we are accepting the students in staggered amounts and not all at once.
“My main focus for this early childhood institution is to establish it as an institution of excellence for early childhood education and best practices.
“Downstairs we have a facility for the visual and performing arts which will also feature drama, dance and music which all aid in the children’s development. There are also facilities for children with disabilities as well.”
Boyce added that the school will put “heavy emphasis on oral competency”.
“We need children to be well versed in the English language and to speak it well,” she said.
The principal also noted that there were plans to get children, along with their parents, interested in agriculture involving vegetable and horticulture production at the school.
“We are one of the few schools in the island that will be fully solar powered,” Boyce said.
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