Colourful Jamaica Day at Holy Trinity

Signs of nationalism pointed to Jamaica Day celebrations with an exhibition of Jamaican food and cultural music at the Holy Trinity High School in Kingston last Friday.

The institution is one of the many schools across the island which ceased normal activities to celebrate Jamaica Day under the theme 'Celebrating Jamaica: Goals for Gold'.

The school's compound was adorned with the Jamaican colours. Teachers and students were dressed in black, green and yellow which blended well with other celebratory symbols including a huge drawing of the national flag.

The Eagles Drum Corps captured the attention of the students who were kept busy rocking to the beat of folk music before standing to attention when it was time for the flag ceremony.

Old-fashioned items

Students were obviously fascinated by the old-fashioned items on display which included an old clothes iron, a three-foot pot, and a coal stove.

Principal of the institution Sadpha Bennett said the activities were geared towards highlighting the Jamaican culture so that students could be more aware of their rich heritage.

"We do this in an effort to heighten the level of awareness of the students by teaching them the full history and culture of our country," he said.

Alec Harris, a student at Mico University, focused on reggae icon Bob Marley highlighting his music and lifestyle through brochures and photos and short talks about the Jamaican icon.

"The students are not fully aware of Bob Marley, they might hear about him but they don't recognise his music. In the classrooms, they don't even know his songs so we are here today to try to talk about his lifestyle and issue brochures about his life and music," he said

In addition to Marley, the school also acknowledged two Jamaican scientists Dr Paula Tennant and Dr Thomas Lecky.

Speaking at the official launch of Jamaica Day two weeks ago at the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Library, Minister of Education Rev the Hon Ronald Thwaites noted that Jamaica Day should be used to emphasise the goodness and grace of the Jamaican people.