AFTER 14 YEARS, principal Winona Price is saying goodbye to St Stephen’s Primary School.
The educator of more than 40 years’ experience bid a sad farewell to her students yesterday during a retirement function at the Black Rock school, leaving them with words of wisdom.
“Students, your lives are a journey you’ve just begun. Use the time at this school as a learning experience which will set the tone for your future. God has given you teachers who care and will continue to love you,” she said, adding that teachers at the school had done a “fantastic” job.
The function, under the theme Celebrating Priceless Service, included poetry, dance, singing and drama from students, past students, parents and staff. Particularly touching was past student Mequissa Baptiste’s moving rendition of Hallelujah, with students joining in the chorus.
Education officer Janice Reid said in her feature address that Price’s career was worth emulating.
“Today, we have come to celebrate the end of Mrs Price’s professional journey, an era of dedicated service which awakened the natural curiosity of young minds. She touched lives, moulded character, shaped personalities, and gave of herself for the benefit of her students and staff,’ she said.
Reid said Price did not focus solely on academics as she believed in her students’ being well rounded. As such, she said, Price included extracurricular activities and established positive relationships with parents.
“Mrs Price, you can reflect with pride and a sense of accomplishment that over the past 43 years you have contributed significantly to the education of your fellow Barbadians and, from all reports, you have executed your duty to them with impartiality.
“In the final analysis, you have etched an indelible mark on the psyche of your charges [and] you can feel justly rewarded,” Reid said.
Price’s career started in 1970 at St Peter’s Girls’ School. After becoming a senior teacher there, she moved on to Half Moon Fort Primary and then became the principal of St Stephen’s Primary.
After the ceremony, Price said it was not easy to retire, and she would miss the school after such a long time teaching there.
“A lot of my achievements can be seen here,” she said. (CA)
