School News and Events

CARICOM DAYExtracted from The Barbados Advocate. January 25, 2005

STUDENTS and staff at the Christ Church Foundation School gathered together yesterday to celebrate the existence of CARICOM and the CSME in a special ceremony and exhibition held at the school grounds under the theme “CARICOM - Forging links within our school”.

Minister of Commerce, Consumer Affairs and Business Development, and former student at that institution, Senator Lynette Eastmond delivered the feature address and encouraged the students to take full advantage of the opportunities being afforded them to better compete in the era of free movement and liberalised trade.

“I see no reason why each of you should not leave this institution without at least five General proficiency certificates,” Eastmond declared, contending that leaving school without qualifications or a skill only made things harder on the school leaver upon their seeking entry into either tertiary institutions or the world of work.

She maintained that this was not an inconceivable feat in a country, which guarantees every child a place in school. She added that such was a rare circumstance, which presented an opportunity that all students should take full advantage of.

She later lauded the students’ enthusiasm and positive attitudes towards the CSME when she facilitated an interactive lecture with the Fifth-formers on aspects of CARICOM.

Principal Robert Cumberbatch commented that yesterday's effort was one which he hopes would serve to enhance the understanding of students, as well as achieve the further dismantling of those barriers existing between CARICOM members. He noted that the CARICOM Day, which is the first event of its kind to be held by a secondary institution, was staged at an opportune time what with the imminent commencement of CSME.

Extracted from Infinity magazine February 28th 2005

The Christ Church Foundation School was a melting pot of the colours and cultures to be found across CARICOM on Monday as students and staff staged their first ever CARICOM Observation Day.

The event was the brain-child of teacher Angela Maynard-Watson and her fifth form Social Studies class, upon reaching the topic on their school syllabus, as a means of offering students some hands on, practical exposure. In addition, it served to further motivate students to pursue the subject as a course of study:

Mrs. Daniel explains to some of the students the intricacies of traditional Dominican garb.	Representatives from CariYouth

Each of the 15 territories to be found within CARICOM were represented at an exhibition with the theme, 'CARICOM - Forging links within our school', which featured the cuisine, craft, and music of the islands of the Caribbean.

"We tried to get everyone involved as we have a lot of staff and students here at the school who represent CARICOM from Dominica, Jamaica, Trinidad, St. Lucia and even St. Kitts-Nevis," Maynard-Watson explained.

Both students and staff alike confessed that they were only too happy to contribute to the effort, with the IT, Arts and Foreign Languages departments all participating in some manner in the exhibition, whether through rendering Power Point displays, translating, or donating artwork and craft.

Representatives from CariYouth were also on hand at Monday's CARICOM Day distributing literature about CARICOM and the CSME.

 "We would love to see other schools follow suit," Maynard-Watson declared enthusiastically.

Principal Robert Cumberbatch added that he hoped efforts such as these, which promoted knowledge and understanding of our neighbouring territories, would help break down barriers between students from the different islanders and in general.

 Solid as a Rock Exerted and edited from Groove magazine January 28th

The saying memories don't leave like people do was particularly apt last Friday night as scholars from the Foundation School came together for a common cause.

In attendance at the show were Minister of Education Reginald Farley, who is also a former scholar of Foundation School. Principal, Robert Cumberbatch and Former Principal, Major Hugh Barker.

Graduates from the 1950s right up to current students erased the gaps and worked collectively to raise funds to build a pavilion with facilities that would help take the school back to its former sporting glory. Part of the proceeds will also go towards the purchase of musical instruments.

Patrons watched with admiration what started as budding talent displayed at end of term concerts, NIFCA and other functions years ago and is now in full bloom.

Billed as a Solid Foundation, the fund raiser concert turned out to be a fine display of the creative arts and included music, dance, fashion and the spoken word.

David Kirton

Richard Stoute Teen Talent winner for 2004, Tanya Clarke, and jazz singers Michelle The Voice Garvey and Rosemary Phillips shared the stage with musicians Chris Gibbs, Derry Etkins, David Kirton and Eyan Alleyne for the nostalgic event.

The Foundation event would not have been complete without the deadliest of all the graduates, Trevor Dynamite Eastmond. Also in on the do was noted fashion designer and old scholar Nefetari who showcased two of her lines. Not to be outclassed, the present students showed their worth with some outstanding performances.

Entertainment during the break and pre-show was provided by pannist Frederick Powlett. The Foundation School was a serious force to be reckoned with on the instrument in the 1970s and 1980s.

Here is a full list of the performances. MC for the evening was Kimberley Skeete of Starcom Network.  

A Solid Foundation was conceptualized by former head of the school's fine arts department, Ian Walcott. Some of Walcott's works of art were on display in the foyer.

Persons interested in supporting the cause may contact the school with regard to paraphernalia with the school's insignia.

Foundation Forum for online discussions with other old scholars.

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