‘Ready For Life’ brings key services to Wolmer’s Boys

Lovette Smith has been wanting to open a bank account for her son, a sixth form student at Wolmer’s Boys’ School, for the longest time but simply could not find the time.

So when the institution’s parent-teacher association (PTA) organised an event for her to get this done, she ensured she took full advantage.

Dubbed, ‘Ready For Life - Age Quod Agis Edition Initiative’, the event which was held on Friday provided students with the opportunity to open bank accounts, apply for their taxpayer registration number (TRN), and learner’s permit as well as participate in a car show that featured classic, modified sports cars and select new cars.

“I’m finding it very easy for me because it’s a long time I wanted to open an account for him but I could not find the time to go in the bank, so now that it’s on the school’s compound it’s much easier for me to access,” Smith said.

‘A great thing’

Jeannette Smickle, another parent, was very pleased with the initiative, telling The Gleaner that it made applying for her son’s learner’s permit very convenient.

“It’s a great thing that Wolmer’s is doing, it would have been so much of a hassle for us to be running up and down to get the driver’s permit and then when we come here, everything is in one place, get it certified, JP is here, we walk around and it’s just one location and then we are through,” she said.

“It’s perfect for persons like me who is not mobile and have to be at work and don’t have a lot of time to be going here, there and everywhere,” she added.

Her son, Gavin Watson, a fifth form student, also appreciated the ease at which he was able to apply for this important document.

“It’s very helpful, we don’t have to go through any hassle. I would certainly be very annoyed if I had to go to several places just to get the learner’s. This speeds up the process,” he said.

President of Wolmer’s Boys’ School PTA, Dageon Whiteley, outlined that initiative forms part of the activities for the commemoration of the school’s 295th anniversary.

“What we’re trying to do is really get our gentlemen ready for the road, we want them to be skilled and equipped with the items that they need to be successful not just in academics and socially, but also to be ready to enter society and be successful,” she said.

“When every Wolmerian leaves Wolmer’s, they should be able to say I am leaving Wolmer’s with my TRN, my driver’s licence, at least one savings account and other things too that will come.”

The school’s principal, Dwight Pennycooke, said he expects the majority of the more than 1,400 students that attend the institution to benefit.

He explained that the first leg of this programme involved helping students to obtain their TRN in November last year. The school will also be engaging with the Passport, Immigration and Citizens Agency to assist students in getting their passports.

And while lauding the initiative, he told The Gleaner it is one the school hopes to make part of its orientation package.

“Once a student lands in Wolmer’s Boys’ School, we’re going to make a powerful statement from early that we are making you ready for life, and these are your tools,” he said. “Everything that is supposed to open the doors for you, and set you on the path of maturity, that is how we want to start preparing them.”

sashana.small@gleanerjm.com