Students in the schoolyard at Gospel Chapel Prep in Annotto Bay, St. Mary. - NORMAN GRINDLEY/DEPUTY CHIEF PHOTOGRAPHER
THEY HAVE not been around for long, but already St. Mary's Gospel Chapel Prep is making an impact on the spelling bee.
The first question is: Where is it? Annotto Bay we found out, across the road from the famous Travel Halt Restaurant and Bar along Annotto Bay's strip.
The prep school is an extension of the Christian Brethren Church's outreach programme, which was formulated to bring something different to the depressed community. It started with a basic school, which is on the same premises, in 1990. The prep school began four years later with 20 children.
"At first, we were in the church itself. Then little by little we added buildings until we are where we are now," says principal Velda Thomas. Both schools are viewed as part of the church's ministry to the community, and no doubt, Christian values are paramount. The students, therefore, get more than the traditional ABCs.
THOMAS
PRAYER MEETINGS
"All the teachers are Christians and every morning we start with prayer meetings. The first intervention is prayer as we focus on a foundation in Christ," says Mrs. Thomas.
Space is limited for the 250 students who attend, hence the school's inability to participate in sporting competitions. But there are plans to seek additional land. Among the additions in the plans are a computer lab, library and an auditorium for school functions. The church, located at the front of the property, serves that purpose for now.
Prep schools require much funding to be run efficiently. The school's fee is relatively low - less than $10,000 a term - but the parent-teacher association and community combine for a number of fund-raising events.
Being a young school and residing in a sleepy seaside village, it is easy to miss Gospel Chapel on the radar.
"As a rural school, we feel that we have as much to offer as anyone," explains Mrs. Thomas on the school's decision to enter the spelling bee competition. She is also the spelling bee coach.
When Javier won, it was a celebration for the wider community, especially since the runner-up and third-place winners - Wayne Davis and Sashana Bennett - attend Annotto Bay All-Age and High, respectively.
Now that they have got their name on the St. Mary spelling bee trophy, school officials are expanding their sights to the junior debating competition, which they will be entering for the first time this year.
But the aim for Mrs. Thomas and staff is to continue to provide students with more than the books.
"We look at the verse in Luke (2:52) where Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature, and in favour with God and man. It's not just about education, but development in all areas," she says.
