The St. John’s Academy officially opened last Friday with a church service at the Portsmouth Roman Catholic Church.
The St. John’s Academy, a secondary school, opened its doors last September with thirty-four students, eleven full time and four part time teachers.
At the official launch of the school, Education Minister, Hon. Petter Saint Jean commended the local Catholic Church community for its contribution to education on the island.
“I must pause to acknowledge the tremendous sacrifice and contribution that has been made over the years by the Roman Catholic Church to the education development of our beloved country. In fact, I would venture to say that the Catholic Church has recognised that its mandate far exceeds just the proliferation of the Gospel but that mandated with the responsibility of carving, forming, nurturing young minds who will grow up to take their rightful positions in national development. I wish to commend the Catholic Church for the recognition that as Church, your mandate exceeds just preaching to and teaching individuals.”
The Education Minister also expressed his hopes that the St. John’s Academy would perpetuate the ideals of the Church.
“Given the Church’s position on issues such as morality and social responsibility, it is my hope that St. John’s, consistent with its mission statement, will offer a sound academic, technical and moral education to young people that will provide them with the knowledge and skills required to be successful not just in their personal lives but also as family members and members of the wider Dominican community,” he said.
Hon. Saint Jean told the ceremony that the academy is a welcomed addition to the education landscape. He pledged the full support of his Ministry and the Government of Dominica.
Parliamentary Representative for the Portsmouth Constituency, Hon. Ian Douglas who was also representing Prime Minister Skerrit shared the sentiments of the Education Minister.
“This is indeed a very historic occasion as we are celebrating the official opening of yet another secondary school. One for the town of Portsmouth and the north which is just as important as the fact that it is another secondary school for the Catholic Church and for Dominica. The Catholic Church has in fact been making its contribution to the education advancement and development of Dominica for well over 100 years. I believe that this is a feat of which the Church and Dominicans must be justly proud,” said Hon. Douglas.
He also stated, “That is why we are here today and given the St. John’s Academy all of the support that they truly need to grow from strength to strength. In this day and age when the world is going through a global recession, to be able to have the fortitude to open a new secondary educational institution is in fact a great feat.”
Hon. Douglas applauded the administration of the St. John’s Academy for attending to the social aspect of their students’ development along with the educational aspect.
Speaking to the academy’s students, Hon. Douglas encouraged them to represent their school well and make it proud as the first students of the St. John’s Academy.Delivering the feature address was Bishop of the Diocese of Roseau, Bishop Gabriel Malzaire.
The Bishop explained the purpose of Catholic schools like the St. John’s Academy.
“In April 2011 I wrote a pastoral letter on behalf of the Antilles Bishops’ Conference entitled Catholic Education in the Territory of the Antilles Episcopal Conference. In that letter, I sought to give an answer to the question [of the purpose of Catholic education]. I laid stress on the fact that by its very existence Catholic schools share in the salvific role of the Church. Education as we it is a form of evangelisation into the ‘good life’. In that regard therefore, I made therefore that all those involved in Catholic education are called to build communities of faith and holiness. In partnership with the family and the parish, the catholic school participates in the saving mission of the church. The school is called to become primarily a privileged place of comprehensive formation and development through the systematic and critical assimilation of one’s culture.”
Principal of the new secondary school Dr. Julian Magloire remarked on operations at the school so far.
“St. John’s Academy started in September when our small group of hardworking teachers came together on the 1st of the month. The relationship among staff members is very good and the teachers are very interested in the students. We have a group of students who love each other-they play hard...and they work hard. Our results have been very good this term and we hope o continue pushing them so they can bear fruit. One of the things that I would like to point out is that this function would not be what it is without the parents of the students. The PTA (Parent Teachers Association)- which has not yet elected a representative- has come together in a tremendous way to make this day a reality,” she said.
Also featured at the service was a rendition of the school song by students and the school’s flirtation group, which emerged winners at the Second Cultural Finals last October, performed a piece for their school’s launching ceremony.