Nevis, West Indies Premier – Joseph Parry
Charlestown, Nevis
February 25, 2009
Premier of Nevis and Minister of Education Hon. Joseph Parry, led a delegation to the Airport in Newcastle on Wednesday to see a team of eight Charlestown Secondary School Sixth Formers off to St. Maarten, where they will participate in the annual Leeward Islands Debating contest.
In brief remarks at the VIP Lounge, Mr. Parry wished the students well but reminded them that through it all, they were travelling as ambassadors of the people of Nevis.
He offered the debaters words of advice and told them he expected them to give of their best.
“I really expect an outstanding performance and if you do your best and you do not win you still would have done as well as you can and that is what is expected – to do the best that you can do.
“Debating takes skill it takes practise it takes information and you should be able to think very quickly on your feet. The weak area I have observed over the years is with the rebuttal. It means that you must be so comfortable with the material that you can turn it any way and each way very quickly. Do not be afraid to think do not be afraid to make a mistake. Let the flow begin and once it flows, the thoughts would come,” he said.
Mr. Parry urged the students to have an enjoyable time in St. Maarten, to make friends but hastened to caution them to not go overboard during that lifetime experience.
He also used the opportunity to congratulate the School’s Headmaster Mr. Edson Elliott and Chief Staff Sponsor Mrs. Sheila Hanley who accompanied the group.
The students’ helped to raise funds for their trip to St. Maarten but according to Mr. Elliott, had fallen short of the $60,000 target. He explained that the Nevis Island Administration (NIA) had willingly agreed to assist.
“This trip was a very expensive trip. The cost if the trip is in the region of $60,000. I know that the Literary and Debating Society at the Sixth Form worked extremely hard in raising the funds and I am sure the general public would have seen the students around with their car wash, their movie nights and their lunches etc. but we fell short.
“We fell short of the target and we called upon the Nevis Island Administration to assist us and they were very willing, despite the hard economic times, they were very willing to assist the Nevis debaters. I am happy the Premier is here so we can say thanks to the Nevis Island Administration, for coming forward and making sure that we were able to make this trip,” he said.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education Mr. Joseph Wilshire, who was present shared the sentiments of Premier Parry and he too, threw his support behind the students.
“I also want to say to you that whatever the result may be, remember that the purpose behind the exercise is to enable you to have some exposure so that you can mix and mingle with students from the other islands.
“At the end of the day we want to ensure that we have greater unity amongst our people and so once again I want to wish you well. We are looking forward to hearing great news about our team from the Charlestown Secondary School Sixth Form,” he said.