School honours founder and former heads
13.07.2009
The School for the Exceptional Child marked its 15th anniversary on Friday with a series of activities and the unveiling of a plaque to honour its founder and former headteachers.
Present at the school at Roche Caiman were Minister for Education Bernard Shamlaye, MNA for the district Giovanna Charles, high officials from the ministry, the district’s administrator, the school’s benefactors, parents, staff, pupils and other guests.
Addressing those present, Mr Shamlaye congratulated the school for acknowledging its gratitude to its founder Ron Brouillette, a member of the American Peace Corps who started the school here in the early Seventies and was its first head between 1975 and 1978.
Mr Brouillette’s name, as well as those of Jeanne Sabadin, who was headteacher from 1979-1985, Murielle Manes (1986-2005) and Monica Accouche (since 2006) are engraved on the plaque in the school’s grounds.
Mr Shamlaye, who unveiled the plaque with Mrs Accouche, praised the school for the way it organised the activities, with the national anthem and the school’s anthem being sung by teachers.
“It is good to note that the school remembers the things that unite us through our national anthem, and shows that it attaches a lot of importance to God’s guidance and support in whatever it does, through its own anthem,” he said.
Mr Shamlaye also had words of encouragement and praise for parents who give the school their continuous support.
“The school for exceptional children needs exceptional staff, who need a lot of support from parents,” he said.
Benefactors, individuals and NGOs who have been faithful to the school over the years were not forgotten as Mr Shamlaye had words of thanks and encouragement for them too.
However, he said there is always room for much more to be done as the school still needs a lot of help. And he suggested the school work out some small improvement projects that could be submitted to benefactors to be carried out.
Guests watch in appreciation as pupils parade in a fashion show
Last but not least, Mr Shamlaye congratulated the teachers and staff for their devotion to their work and their continuous efforts to involve the exceptional children in activities at national level. These have included a recent national song contest on climate change, in which children from the school won second place.
Mr Shamlaye’s words echoed those of Mrs Accouche who, after taking the guests back down Memory Lane to the school’s birth, stressed the need for more support.
“The school needs to forge ahead to ensure further improvement,” she said.
Mrs Accouche also called on all stakeholders to “continue working together to support our students so they can break all barriers and rise to greater heights”.
The day ended with a spectacular presentation of songs, poems, a fashion show of clothes and accessories made from coconut palm leaves and husks by teachers, other members of staff and pupils, and an exhibition of the children’s work.