Her Excellency the Most Honourable Lady Allen speaking at the opening session of the school’s “Reading Day” programme on Wednesday May 2, 2018 under the theme, “Drop Everything and Read a Book”. | Credits: Justin Miller
Her Excellency the Most Honourable Lady Allen encouraged students and staff of the Adventist owned and operated Willowdene Group of Schools to read a book for two hours each day.
Her Excellency was guest speaker during the opening session of the school’s “Reading Day” programme on Wednesday May 2, 2018 under the theme, “Drop Everything and Read a Book”.
“He who reads leads”, she told the close to 400 preparatory and ECD school students and staff who attended the opening session. She further expressed that reading plays a vital role in whatever we do in life as it is fun and informative.
Her Excellency the Most Honourable Lady Allen hosting an interactive session with students from the preparatory division during which she read to them | Credits: Justin Miller
Her Excellency, who taught at Willowdene between 1988 and 1991 also gave books to the school along with some care packages for the Early Childhood Division. She later hosted an interactive session with students from the preparatory division during which she read to them.
Chairman of the Willowdene Group of Schools and President for Central Jamaica Conference, Pastor Levi Johnson reading to students in Early Childhood division. | Credits: Justin Miller
Chairman of the Willowdene Group of Schools and President for Central Jamaica Conference, Pastor Levi Johnson also participate in the activities. He commended the Principal and Staff members for their dedication and commitment in training young minds.
“It is an honour to be part of this great initiative”, Pastor Johnson said.
He said that during his primary school days, a teacher commended him for how well he read, and that affirmation motivated him to love reading. Pastor Johnson expressed that he would love to see every student leave the school with the ability to read well.
Pastor Lorenzo King, Education Director of CJC, sharing with students from the Preparatory Division during the school’s “Reading Day programme. | Credits: Justin Miller
Pastor Lorenzo King, Education Director of CJC, shared that reading was very dear to him. He used the adage “reading maketh a man” to encourage the students to develop good reading habits.
Principal of the Willowdene Group of School's Mr. Peter Williams addressing students and staff at the opening session of the school’s “Reading Day” programme on Wednesday May 2, 2018. | Credits: Justin Miller
“If you want to hide information from a man, write it or put it in a book,” said school Principal Mr. Peter Williams. Mr. Williams emphasized that many times ignorance is a result of people not taking time to read and be informed. “To correct this, reading must be given priority, as it is paramount to success in all areas of life”, says the Principal.
After the opening session, the students were sent to their classes, where some parents, members of the CJC staff (including President Johnson) and pastors assisted in reading to the students within their classes.
The Willowdene Group of Schools located at 58 Brunswick Avenue, Spanish Town, St. Catherine is a Seventh-day Adventists Co-Educational Institution that provides Christ-centered education.
Contributors to this article: Kimarley Walker Medley, and Damian Chambers