作者： admin

In a remarkable display of oratorical prowess, sixteen-year-old boxing enthusiast Aidan Callender delivered a speech so powerful it earned him top honors at Ellerslie School’s Second Annual All-Boys Speech Competition on Tuesday. The event, themed ‘Beyond Words,’ witnessed Callender’s gripping performance that seamlessly blended pugilistic metaphors with personal vulnerability, ultimately securing him both the championship title and the Principal’s Award for Most Impactful Speech.

The competition represented phase two of the Mr Executive and Business Challenge, an institutional initiative designed to foster discipline, confidence, and mentorship among male students. Six contenders participated in the contest, each receiving guidance from members of the school’s executive team as mentors.

Last year’s champion, Tejare Forde—now deputy head boy—set the tone with an inspirational preamble emphasizing connection over perfection. Forde, who leveraged his own victory into a third-place finish at the National Optimist Oratorical Competition, reminded participants: ‘When a boy is given a platform, he can arise, and when he is given guidance, he can soar.’

Callender embodied this philosophy through a narrative rich with boxing imagery and candid self-reflection. He opened with the arresting line: ‘Life doesn’t ask permission before it punches you in the face,’ immediately capturing the audience’s attention. He recounted early failures with humor—’To be honest, I failed miserably’—before pivoting to a defiant response to criticism: ‘Perhaps I do talk too much… but because I was never meant to stay quiet.’

His climactic conclusion—’Stand tall, wear your gloves, and remind the world the fight is not over yet’—prompted a standing ovation and an emotional embrace from his mentor, Mr. Rollins.

Elias Duncan claimed second place and the Deputy Principal’s Award for Most Memorable Speech, while Kamar Maynard took third with a message centered on perseverance and ambition. Shawn Clarke, deputy chair of the board of management, presented participation certificates and commended the contestants for their courage and eloquence.

Now in its second year, the competition has evolved into a cornerstone event at Ellerslie School, attracting eager audiences and reinforcing a culture of leadership and self-expression. As the newly crowned champion, Callender will advance as the school’s representative in the Mr Executive Gentleman and Business Challenge, extending the impact of his victory well beyond the auditorium.

Barbados education authorities have launched a reinforced initiative to ensure healthier eating environments in schools, framing it as a critical national priority for student development. The urgency was emphasized during a two-day capacity building workshop at Erdiston Teachers’ Training College, organized by the Ministry of Education to strengthen implementation of the National School Nutrition Policy.

Deputy Chief Education Officer Julia Beckles delivered a direct appeal to canteen operators and food vendors operating within school precincts, urging sustained commitment to providing nutritious alternatives. “I especially trust that you will do so as a matter of your own attitude to health, to the health and well-being of our children,” Beckles stated, characterizing healthy school environments as requiring “an all of Barbados approach” with multi-sectoral collaboration.

The official grounded the initiative in international child rights frameworks, specifically referencing Article 24 of the Convention on the Rights of Child which guarantees children’s right to protective care and healthy spaces. Beckles expanded the concept of school environment to include not just school premises but also the routes children take to school, indicating a comprehensive approach to student wellbeing.

Health concerns provided the pressing context for the initiative, with officials highlighting Barbados’ alarming rates of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and emerging diabetes cases among school-aged children. Deputy Nutrition Officer Brian Payne identified cultural practices as significant challenges, noting that unhealthy dietary habits are often deeply embedded in traditional celebrations and daily life.

The policy adopts a holistic ‘whole-school approach’ that encompasses students, teachers, administrators, and the entire school food environment. Payne explained that the strategy aims to transform both food options and physical activity environments while providing necessary support systems for educational staff. Officials emphasized that maintaining vigilance against reverting to old practices remains the primary implementation challenge, making ongoing training and awareness essential for sustainable change.

Barbados is launching a nationwide initiative to address childhood obesity by regulating food and beverage sales near school premises. Education Minister Chad Blackman announced he will personally lead inspections of vendors operating outside school gates to ensure compliance with nutritional standards.

The minister characterized the initiative as a critical public health intervention amid what he described as a non-communicable disease endemic on the island. Rather than employing punitive measures, the government will emphasize dialogue and reasoning with vendors while maintaining a firm stance on selling only nutritious items to students.

Blackman highlighted the contradiction between existing school nutrition policies that govern food sold inside school compounds and the unregulated sales occurring just meters away from classroom entrances. The 2023 School Nutrition Policy, designed to limit sugary drinks and unhealthy snacks on school premises, has been undermined by vendors operating outside school fences who aren’t bound by the same standards.

The minister stressed that this effort represents a ‘whole of country’ approach to creating healthier eating environments for children. While acknowledging the important role vendors play in the community, Blackman emphasized their responsibility to sell nutritious options, stating that ‘to whom much is given, much is expected.’

Blackman revealed his unconventional methodology, which will involve personally driving around the country to conduct face-to-face assessments with his officers. The approach will balance firmness with fairness, focusing on education and conversation rather than immediate penalties for non-compliance.

The minister also addressed economic concerns regarding healthier options, framing the crisis as a potential business opportunity for entrepreneurs to develop affordable, nutritious alternatives. This initiative forms part of a broader commitment made with the Heart and Stroke Foundation to cultivate a healthier generation of Barbadians.