Primary School students in Anguilla joined their counterparts in many countries and territories in observing Commonwealth Day on Monday, March 9. The event is not a school holiday but rather an opportunity for students, in particular, to learn about the Commonwealth of 54 independent nations and more than 20 dependencies. About 1.7 billion people live in the Commonwealth of Nations.

Parade commences at Adrian T. Hazell School

Here in Anguilla, Commonwealth Day was observed with special indoor and outdoor activities. School children from the Morris Vanterpool School and the Island Harbour School converged at the Ronald Webster Park where they shared in sporting events and were served with refreshments. Similar activities were held for students at the Orealia Kelly School at Stoney Ground. Valley Primary School and the

Students in National Colours from Anguilla and other islands

Alwyn Allison School at West End, as well as the privately-owned Preschools and Primary Schools, had their own programmes as well.
Not to be outdone, the Adrian T. Primary School on the Blowing Point Road stole the show by having country presentations by non-Anguillian teachers on cultural diversity focusing on the Caribbean region as well as Britain and Nigeria as there are children attending the school from those countries. A number of students did modeling of national dress and costumes of territories including Anguilla.

Games at the Orealia Kelly Primary School

The highlight was a parade around the western block of the area taking in the school and the surrounding community. On their return to the school the teachers and students hoisted the Official Flag of Anguilla and the Union Jack and then lowered them at half-mast as a mark of respect to former Headmaster, Mr. Adrian Hazell, after whom the school was named last year and who died suddenly on March 7.

Young athletes from the Morris Vanterpool Primary School at Webster Park

Commonwealth Day is an annual celebration on the second Monday in March and is marked in Britain by a multi-faith service at Westminster Abbey, normally attended by Queen Elizabeth, Head of the Commonwealth.

| Printer-friendly page | Send this article to a friend |

World News