I blame all of this on sit ups. I was doing sit ups at the gym when the idea of this school occurred to me. That was exactly 19 months ago. I called my cousin who had a child at the Maple Leaf School in Trinidad, asked who the founder was and called her. Her name is Barbara Bovell, and in a very similar fashion 11 years ago in Trinidad, she established the Maple Leaf School, which started with 20-ish students and is now 600 strong. Barbara put me in touch with June Harkness who I subsequently spoke to. June invited me down to see the school and suggested I bring an accountant and an educator…….

 

It is 18 months since Richard and Dagmar Peterkin, Laurena Primus and I went to Trinidad to spend what turned out to be, a life changing day at Maple Leaf. Thank you to these people for agreeing to come and for their continuing advice and support.

 

We were convinced within the first few hours that this was an alternate we wanted to try. I sent an email to a core group of people who I thought might be interested in becoming involved. They all said yes, and have continued to be the most efficient, committed, enthusiastic, energetic bunch of women I have ever had the privilege of knowing. These women have made this dream a reality, and they are Kris Wagner, Dee Lundy Charles, Indira Ashworth, Rosie Joinville, Angela Trehy and Sandra Meixner. The efforts of this core committee really have been legendary. Pure determination, many meetings, vision and a belief in the common goal, assured the doors opened when we said they were going to, on September 4^th 2006, with the impressive registration of 30 students. This group has evolved into the Management committee of the school, and they are formidable.

 

It is 17 months since Mrs. Harkness visited St.Lucia for the first time and spoke at a meeting convened at the Bay Gardens Inn to tell people about this sort of school and to start to investigate whether there was any interest.

 

The very first email I sent out to everyone in my address book said “This project cannot be achieved by a small group of people. This venture must be a community effort.” And that is exactly what it has been and why I can stand here today and thank all of you, because it is through your commitment and community effort that we have achieved the almost impossible, the opening of a brand new school with untried ideology in St.Lucia, in under 2 years.

 

There has not been a single person in the community of St.Lucia generally, who has said no when asked to help, give advice or donate goods or services. This tells me, St.Lucia was ready for this school. It is an alternative which is already offered in at least 4 other Caribbean islands. This is a valuable asset to St.Lucia, who can now offer the seamless nature of International Schooling to expats and locals alike.

 

 I would like to include in my list of people to thank, all members of the Ministry of Education and The Minister of Labour who have been a pleasure to work with and always helpful and available. Thank you, without your support we would not have opened at all.

 

Mr. Michael Chastanet needs mentioning as well, as he has been a constant supporter through every stage of the development of the International School St.Lucia.

 

An important group of people who have stepped up to the position of responsibility are the Board of Trustees. These people, who will offer guidance, support and advice, are: Jackie Atkinson, Natalie Augustin, Malcolm Burns, Mary Popo and Konrad Wagner. I’m sure we’re in safe hands.

 

Last I must mention Mrs. June Harkness, our Principal. Mrs. Harkness has worked tirelessly, almost since the first phone call, and without pay, to interview and hire our brilliant staff, visit St.Lucia 3 times to lead workshops and talks, source all our resources and store them at her home in Ontario, then get everything packed and shipped, while setting up curriculum and instruction plans and professional development, and to arrive in St.Lucia to set up and unpack the “School in a box” which was the container of mostly donated resources. What a powerful lady! We are so grateful she said "yes" when asked to come and start up in St.Lucia. Thank you also to her husband Bill!

 

All you have to do is look at our students. Spend some time here during the day to see their happiness. Our kids are disappointed there is no school on Saturdays. They are challenged and fulfilled through caring, professional instruction. Their horizons are constantly being broadened through the wide curriculum and extra curricula activities, and involvement in activities organized by the ministry of education, such as football.

 

 We have kids who interact with others, look you squarely in the face and have something valuable to say. This is the International School St.Lucia difference, children from many different backgrounds and cultures working peacefully and happily together. These students will graduate from this institution able to stand firmly anywhere on earth, confidently pursuing their adult careers.