The gold house at the Eslyn Henley Richiez Learning Centre captured the championship of the schools´ first Spelling Bee and General Knowledge Quiz, held as part of Education Week 2013 activities.
According to the Education Department, the competition, which was held on Tuesday, March 12, showcased gold house against blue house and was divided into five categories, namely, spelling, general science, literature, numeracy and Feuerstein Instrumental Enrichment or "FIE" which addresses cognitive development.
The Education Department noted that the teams had to answer questions such as, "Who is the Premier of the Virgin Islands" and identify the Premier in a photograph. The students also had to match words according to gender, identify the author of a book, arrange letters in alphabetical order, and view a photograph and describe what action is taking place.
Students also spelt several words, stated which organs pumps blood to the heart and identified the direction of different lines, in addition to a host of other activities.
Mr. Deandre James was the top scorer for the gold house and captured 30 points while Mr. Shemoey Manning, the top scorer for the blue house captured 25 points.
The final scores were gold house 120 points and blue house 95 points.
Minister for Education and Culture Honourable Myron V.Walwyn gave remarks to open the competition and applauded the teachers for taking on the task to include their students in the mainstream activities. Minister Walwyn stated that he loves to come to the school and he marvels at the students who are very pure, innocent and full of love.
The Education Minister said, "We were all born with different talents, different gifts. We are all different human beings, but we all want the same thing, which is the fullest potential that we can afford for our lives."
Minister Walwyn encouraged the students to do their outmost best. "You are here. Your teachers care about you. Your parents care about you. I care about you. The Government cares about you, and we will do our best to support you."
House of Assembly Member Honourable Archibald Christian and Deputy Secretary in the Ministry of Education and Culture Mrs. Prudence Mathavious assisted in the distribution of prizes.
The Ministry of Education and Culture supports the inaugural Spelling Bee and General Knowledge Quiz at the Eslyn Henley Richiez Learning Centre as a movement towards inclusive education as they celebrate Education Week 2013 under the theme, "Creating a Culture of Excellence through Prevention and Intervention."
