The Montserrat Secondary School (MSS) was among the many schools across the 54 commonwealth countries that celebrated Commonwealth Day on Monday, March 19, 2012 under the theme Connecting Cultures.”
The activities at the MSS began with a parade and flag raising ceremony highlighting the flags of Commonwealth countries. H.E Governor Adrian Davis, Premier Hon. Rueben Meade, and Leader of the Opposition the Hon. Donaldson Romeo, Ministry of Education Hon. Colin Riley, other ministers of Government, Ministry of Education officials, Members of the community, parents and members of the media, were on hand to witness the celebrations
After the flag raising ceremony there was a ceremony where ‘clusters’ of the various countries attending the school showed off a bit of their culture in dance, drama and song.
His Excellency Governor Adrian Davis delivered the Commonwealth Day Message from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth ll.
Guest speaker Minister of Education Hon. Colin Riley challenged MSS students to strive for excellence at all times. “Over the past two and a half years this administration has taken the task of beginning the process of making the Montserrat Secondary School one of the tops schools in the world. You may not know it yet because the progress has been slow, but every single year in the future we are going to raise the bar. So if you want to come here, come with high standards.
“We are going to ramp up the resourcing of this school. You are going to have access to better teaching standards, higher quality of leadership at all levels including student leadership and we are going to insist that every single day you connect to a career; you connect to a future in which you will place your professionalism at the highest level,” he said directing his remarks especially to the students.
At the MSS highlights of the day included flag rising, comments and presentations by the students. There were also exhibits, photographs, of the various countries. Also form part of the activities to mark the occasion.
After MSS students from the various countries in the commonwealth displayed their costumes and made cultural presentations in dance, music and folklores, all were invited to the school rooms where students and teachers showcased exhibits from their various counties of origin. Food was also available for sale.
