Barbados: Barbados Children Directory congratulated to the winners of the 2023 Frederick Smith Secondary School Inter-House Speech Competition. The competition was divided into three categories, First Form, Junior (for Second and Third formers); and Senior (for Fourth, Fifth, and Upper-Fifth students).
Four participants from the First Form division, spoke on, ‘The Ways I Can Make My School a More Peaceful Place’ and they presented a number of such as refraining from bullying, being more thoughtful and empathetic towards others, committing themselves to practice conflict resolution and getting more involved in extracurricular activities.
Winner in the first form category was Christina Jordan of Blue House while Khalifa Norman of Yellow House was second, Jamanie Bishop, the sole male participant also from Yellow House was third and Kayla Daniel of Green House was fourth.
The Junior division heard from students who explored the topic Help Me! Save Me! Please listen to Mother Nature’s plea!. There were five finalists in the juniors who focused on the causes and harmful effects of global warming and they emphasized the urgent need to stop littering and the importance of conservation and recycling in a most commendable manner.
Blue House’s Shania Husbands won the Junior division, while Safia Scantlebury of Yellow House placed second followed by Christa Bailey of Red House in third place, Venory Johns of Blue House’s in fourth place and Jadain Springer of Yellow House was fifth.
The Seniors Division focused on the topic, ‘2033: Is School Adequately Preparing Me?’ and this proved to be a very interesting competition. The senior students emphasised how different jobs will be in the next decade and the need for today’s students to be equipped be able to adapt and capitalise on the demands and opportunities of the future job market.
This winner in this section was Faith Holder-Hinkson of Red House and second place went to Javen James also of Red House. Kaslyn Brathwaite of Yellow House was third while Diamond Brightly of Blue House was fourth and Akelyiah Williams of Red House was fifth.
The students agreed that they were being adequately prepared for the future and they referenced programmes such as robotics and the school’s robust Tech- Voc Department as well a the integration of technology into their and the school’s computer labs which they noted were essential while making a plea for more space and bandwidth to be acquired.
In their presentation, they called on their fellow students to take greater advantage of the opportunities provided to them by the school while also appealing to corporate Barbados to assist them as they prepare to navigate and “own” the future.
