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Pictured here is Bonnie Seale, who started her life at Foundation School back in 1988, in class 1A1. She left school 5 years later with 5 CXC grade 1's, three grade 2's and one grade 3. She also did Advanced Math, though she does not know what grade she got, because she never went for the results. Nevertheless, quite an accomplishment I would say. She then furthered her studies in Economics, Accounts and Law at the Community College. After leaving Community she pursued and achieved a Degree in Management at the University of the West Indies. Bonnie's latest achievement is The Professional Certificate in Accounting, from the highly acclaimed ACCA body. She placed first among students in Barbados and 46th in the world.
Bonnie, like myself had wanted to go to St. Michaels, but when she found out she was going to Foundation she was not disappointed. Actually she was quite pleased. When asked whether there were any good memories of Foundation, Bonnie had to take some time to think. She obviously had such a good time at school she could not narrow them down to just one. So she told me of the graduation night when they all threw they hats up after the celebration. Well, some people had to go home without there's, because the hats did not come back down. They had become stuck in the netting hung above the hall for the occasion. She remembers things like the first day she ever sung the school song. Mr. Goddard's Math class. Chewing gum in Mr. Carter's Geography class, deliberately. Chilling with Mr. Gill. She loved the school bus. Absolute loved the school bus.
"The best thing they ever did" she said.
Bonnie was an active student while at Foundation. She had joined the ISCF, played Lawn Tennis, joined Peer Counseling with Mrs. Fenty (previous Guidance Counselor), she was a prefect, and she was in Girl Guides. She also worked in the book room for two years, and every day for lunch, religiously, they would take a walk to Mr. Tees in Oistins for donuts.
But she did not always have good days. When asked about her worst days, she could only mention two. Some of you from the classes of 89-92 might remember a day at full assembly when a girl fainted. Well that was Bonnie. That was her worst day at Foundation. The other was failing an exam in 2nd form and getting what probably was the only red "x" ever to be placed on her report. She had missed an exam and was then given a surprise make up exam long after the others were finished and she had begun to relax. She gained 28%.
Her "crowd" at school consisted of, Gemma Parris, Paula Manning, Tracia Morris, Karen Hazell (best friend) and Nicole Green. Favorite teacher without any need for debate was Mr. Goddard, for his constant encouragement and understanding. She has two dogs and one cat. Her form teacher in first form was Mrs. Branch. Bonnie, believe it or not still has all of her uniforms, junior, senior, as well as her guides uniform. I guess when you allow yourself to be bitten by the Foundation bug, you get very attached. Believe me I would know.
Her advice to students who are leaving Foundation, was that you should not go directly from school to the University. She said this because at school the teachers are very helpful and assist you with the work. However, at UWI, all of the work must be done by the students. She among others feel that the adjustment is too much for students to bear and some flunk as a result. She advises that you try to get into the Community College instead initially and then follow with University. She does not recommend going to a sixth form school. This she said would only allow a person to gain an A level certificate in a particular subject, while taking up one full year. College however, allows you to get the A level along with an Associate Degree on two years. Which in turn reduces the time at university from three years to two years.
She advises students to put God first. Keep the boyfriends and girlfriends and bay. Avoid any one who will try to place peer pressure on you. They will only distract you and try to get you to do things rather than study. Plan your future well, rather than letting it just happen to you. Set realistic goals and go after them. Bonnie has set another goal before her. She wants to achieve her Masters this year, and I know that she will do it.
I want to congratulate Bonnie Seale on her many accomplishments and hope that she continues to strive for excellence in everything that she does. I want to thank her very much for consenting to this interview and I hoper that it serves to help motivate the people reading it. Bonnie now has her own car and is a Senior Accountant at PriceWaterhouse Coopers.
David Beckles