Published 5 December 2018
Buckie Got It, St. Kitts and Nevis News Source
PM Harris implores students to contribute to the peace and safety of the country
BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, December 5, 2018 (PLP PR Media Inc.) — A relationship cultivated between renowned businessman, and former Government Minister, Mr Richard Caines and Grade Five students at the Dr William Connor Primary School was cemented on Wednesday December 5 with former throwing an early Christmas party for the latter.
The party which was held at Mr Caines’ residence in Greenlands was so special that in attendance were the Head of State, Governor General His Excellency Sir Tapley Seaton, GCMG, CVO, QC, JP, Head of Government, Prime Minister Dr the Hon Timothy Harris, and the Federation’s First Prime Minister and only Living National Hero the Right Excellent Dr Sir Kennedy Simmonds.
Also present were Principal of the Dr William Connor Primary School Mrs Jean Boddie, retired educator and linguist Dr Ismay Taylor, businessman Mr Oliver Spencer, and teachers from the school – Ms Aleica Nembhard, Teacher Grade 5A1; Mr Benjamin Thomas, Teacher Grade 5A2; and Ms Ghislaine David, Teacher Assistant.
Prime Minister Harris, who is also the Minister of National Security, is a firm believer that peace and safety of the country is everybody’s business and as a result he took time to advise the keenly listening and well-behaved Fifth Graders that they should also contribute to the peace and safety of the Federation while they are at home during the December holidays.
“We want you to have an enjoyable Christmas and carnival, and please we want you to contribute to the peace and safety of St. Kitts and Nevis,” implored the Minister of National Security. “That means for Christmas and carnival no bad behaviour, no cussing, and no fighting – peace and love.”
The Honourable Prime Minister advised the students to turn up in large numbers for the children’s carnival this year and hoped that the school was organising a troupe. While wishing them the very best for Christmas and carnival he advised them to come back in January prepared to learn their lessons and to make themselves first, then their parents, their families and their community proud of them.
“It is nice that Mr Caines would organise this get-together for all of you,” said Dr Harris. “He loves your school – he loves you. Therefore we want you to love yourselves. So, only do nice things. Once you love yourself, you become confident, you become assured and you will do nice things to everybody else.”
Grade 5A1 teacher Ms Aleica Nembhard, noted that the students first met Mr Richard Caines when they visited the Zack Nisbett Museum in Buckley’s Estate while doing research on the topic ‘Independence and Emancipation’.
“Our research took us to Mr Zack Nisbett because he has this museum with information about our culture and history,” noted Ms Nembhard. “That is where we met Mr Richard Caines, and he formed a bond with the students. As it was nearing to his birthday, the students sang the ‘Happy Birthday’ song for him.”
Mr Caines’ birthday was on Thursday October 4, and he spent a portion of the day with students at the school where he held the birthday party. The children who were thrilled at being around him gave him cheers and it was then that he promised them that he would give them a Christmas party.
“He has taught us a lot during the time we have known him,” said Ms Nembhard. “He shared a lot about his encounters here in St. Kitts and how we came about to become an independent country. The children were getting a first-hand account of our history, and it was really thrilling – it was enlightening and empowering.”
ENDS
Pix captions:
1: Prime Minister Harris with Grade Five teachers and students of the Dr William Connor Primary School at Mr Richard Caines’ residence in Greenlands.
2: Present were, from left: Prime Minister Harris, Governor General Sir Tapley Seaton, host Mr Richard Caines, Mr Oliver Spencer, Dr Ismay Taylor, and Dr Sir Kennedy Simmonds.
3: Some technology-savvy students recorded Prime Minister Harris as he addressed them. Host Mr Richard Caines is standing on the right.
4: From left: Prime Minister Harris, School Principal Mrs Jean Boddie, Mr Richard Caines, Dr Ismay Taylor, Mr Oliver Spencer, and First Prime Minister Dr Sir Kennedy Simmonds.
5: Prime Minister Harris exchanges pleasantries with some of the Grade Five students from the Dr William Connor Primary School, at Mr Richard Caines’ residence in Greenlands.
6: From left: Teacher Benjamin Thomas, Teacher Assistant Ghislaine David, Prime Minister Dr the Hon Timothy Harris, Mr Richard Caines, and Teacher Aleica Nembhard.
