The absence of the Jamaican National Flag on the flagpole with its grey cord dangling in the crisp wind that blew over the play field at Beersheba Primary School (Government Leased) that is nestled on the savannah between the mountainous terrain of Kilmarnock, Woodlands, Flint Valley, and Glenbournie, did not dampen the spirit of patriotism and community togetherness of parents and other members of Beersheba Primary School (Government Leased) Community who turned up at the school to watch and participate in Sports Day 2013 which began at 10.00 a.m. on Wednesday, March 27, 2013.
Notwithstanding repeated pleas that the community made to the Principal of the school Mrs. Tatlin E. Smith-Williams to release the Jamaican National Flag so that it could be hoisted and flown in recognition of Sports Day as well as being flown at half-staff as a tribute to Clifford Isaac Chang, former Principal of Beersheba Elementary Moravian Church School who passed away on March 17, 2013, the Principal defied the request from the community and the empty flag pole with its dangling cord was seen throughout the entire Sports day.
Sports Day 2013 which was dominated by Track and Field Events resulted in the following outcome among three competing houses named after Jamaica’s National Heroes:
Marcus Mosiah Garvey 248 points
Paul Boogle 229 points
George William Gordon 220 points
Much to the delight of the large crowd that attended and supported the activities, the audience was thrilled by male and female past students and teachers at the school who participated in the 100 meters athletics race.
FEEDBACK FROM BEERSHEBA PRIMARY SCHOOL (GOVERNMENT LEASED) ALUMNA RE DEFIANCE BY THE PRINCIPAL OF THE SCHOOL TO FLY THE JAMAICAN NATIONAL FLAG ON SPORTS DAY 2013 AND AS A TRIBUTE TO CLIFFORD I. CHANG, FORMER PRINCIPAL OF THE SCHOOL WHO PASSED AWAY ON MARCH 17, 2017
The following feedback has been received from a Beersheba Primary School (Government Leased) Alumna whom BOSA has deliberately decided to remain anonymous:
“What is wrong with this woman? Hasn’t she done enough by refusing to give the children funds from the James Richards Trust? Principals are always proud of their schools and like to show off to the world the students accomplishments instead of playing the fool. Teacher Chang meant something to us and it would be quite all right to have the flag flown at half-staff in tribute to him. This kind of behaviour tells us that this Principal does not care about the children or the community. People in Beersheba School Community should start a petition to get her out of there by having parents sign a vote of no confidence against her and turn it in to the Ministry of Education. She should be ready for retirement by now. Our people do not realize the power that is in the pen and how important it is to document everything. The Principal’s refusal to release the Jamaican National Flag for this occasion is her defiant behaviour towards BOSA Secretary/Treasurer; which in essence is saying that she is not going to work with him and some of our people on the School Board apparently cannot stand up to her.”
Editor’s Note: Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) invites additional feedback from other Alumni, Honorary BOSA Members, Friends and Well-Wishers in Jamaica and the Diaspora as well as visitors to BOSA website to the article: SPORTS DAY 2013 AT BEERSHEBA PRIMARY SCHOOL (GOVERNMENT LEASED), NEW MARKET, SAINT ELIZABETH. ALL FEEDBACK RECEIVED ABOUT THIS ARTICLE WILL BE POSTED ON BOSA WEB PAGE.
Recent Comments