Tag: education

Cheers to 70 Years

Today is Princess Margaret School Day! Our school was founded on this day 25th April, 1955. That’s seventy amazing years of learning, growing, and making history—right here at Princess Margaret School in Antigua and Barbuda. That’s seven decades of bold dreams, big ideas, fierce pride, and a whole lot of pink, white and grey!

Whether you’re a bright-eyed first former, a confident fifth former, or somewhere in between, you’re part of something special—a legacy that started in 1955 and still shines strong today. Princess Margaret School has always been more than a school. It’s a place where excellence is expected, leadership is grown, and talent runs deep.

From our unforgettable steelband to our unbeatable performances in track and field, football and fencing, to basketball, cricket and netball, to our dancers, dramatists, debaters, and our whizzes in chess — we’ve shown the entire nation the formula of champions that just can’t be beat.

Our school began with a mission: to freely provide a quality education to young minds and prepare them to become leaders, thinkers, and citizens of purpose. Seventy years later, the Princess Margaret School has grown into a powerful symbol of Antiguan pride and achievement.

Generations of students have walked our halls—each adding their own line to a rich legacy that spans classrooms, sports fields, cultural stages, and community service. PMS has produced doctors, lawyers, artists, athletes, educators, prime ministers and change-makers, all rooted in the values of excellence and integrity.

This milestone is more than a celebration of the past; it’s a call to the future. As we honour seventy years of shaping young minds, we also look ahead with hope. In every student who enters through the gate, there is the promise of progress—the next innovator, the next leader, the next voice of a brighter tomorrow.

To the alumni, staff, parents, and current students who have been a part of this incredible journey, your spirit, commitment, and love for Princess Margaret School have carried it through the years.

Here’s to the next 70—may they be filled with the same courage, curiosity, and community that started it all and has since kept it going.

The Trial of End of Term

There’s a special kind of hush that falls over a school on report card day. Not the peaceful sort, mind you—the kind that hangs heavy, like the moment before thunder. Children, usually bold as brass, suddenly walk like they’re in a library, whispering wild theories about who failed Maths while peaking from behind their parents.

Anxiety blooms in small hearts—was that one missed assignment that important to my grade? Is a 48 in Geography the end of life as I know it? They rehearse explanations with the conviction of defence attorneys: “But me neva have the book, the teacher nah come ah school, it’s in my bag, I did that one!!!”

Then come the parents, marching into the school like seasoned prosecutors. Eyes sharp, brows raised, some ready to applaud, others poised to question the entire education system. There are the optimists—“He’s trying his best!”—and the enforcers—“If this is trying, he’ll be trying it again next year.”

Meanwhile, the teachers—those noble stewards of lesson plans and patience—sit with the calm of a courtroom stenographer. Because, the term is done. The jury has deliberated. The time for sentences is past tense. They simply stare serenely, watching the theatrics unfold like a well-rehearsed play.

The judge has returned to his chambers.

For them, it’s peace at last. Until the next trial..term.

A message from the Valedictorian of the Class of 2024, Miss Joyce Murray – Watkins

     Principal, staff, family, friends and graduating class of 2024, Good Evening. As we are gathered here today, I have been granted the privilege of being this year’s valedictorian. The never ending story is coming to an end. Who would’ve thought that five years ago we were first formers who had not a clue what to do or where to go. Well for me, not so much. Instead, I was that second former who had not a clue what to do or where to go. As we sit together and think, what will the future hold for us? A question only you can determine the answer for. 

     Gone are the days of COVID-19 and quarantine. Groups A and B joined for the celebration of the accomplishments for yet another set of Kovid-Kids. At the beginning of my Princess Margaret School journey, I definitely felt like an outcast and a standout. I was fresh out of the Antigua Girls High School with a fade and a lunch-bag, not a very common sight. In 2 RM 14 Group A was a class of all girls and one lone boy (shout-out Joshua). I was adopted fairly quickly and made some lasting friends. Throughout that year, I weaved myself into the PMS Serenaders, a fairly crowded space filled with talent and determination. This is where I made my name as I continued to blossom under the guidance of the Princess Margaret School. Coming up as a Serenader was no easy feat, teachers worried about me not attending class, but, the memories made and the lessons learnt were worth the worry. Every gig was a new opportunity which exposed me to other outlets for steelpan which makes me the pan player I am today. Going through my years I was constantly doing something whether it was pan, drama, dance, extra lessons, you name it and I wanted to try it. That determination and ambition was part of the reason why I can acknowledge myself as the outgoing Deputy Head Girl. I must admit, I enjoyed working alongside you all and creating lasting memories that you may have seen in the presentation earlier. Every mod day, field trip, prize giving, jeans day, retreat, church service, I hope has been engraved into your minds to remember the Princess Margaret School by. We all have our teachers that not only helped to make our school life easier, but also teachers who we can confidently call our friends or as some would call them, “School Parents”. 

    As we appreciate the past we must acknowledge the present. In this graduating class, there is a plethora of academics, sports-persons, talents and good characters. From the top academics to the actors and actresses, class of 2024 has excelled in every category possible and for that we deserve to celebrate. One step at a time, we progressed and remained focused. Everyone here has been met with some challenges that they were able to overcome. “Raise your hand if you’ve faced a challenge throughout secondary school”. Give yourselves a round of applause for overcoming them successfully. Now I want you to think, how have we changed and grown over the past 5 years? I know that most of us are no longer those shy children making their way through COVID. Now we’re a little  older with a lot more confidence and character and it doesn’t matter if you started your journey in 2nd form, 3rd form or even 4th, what matters is that we all made the Princess Margaret School our home for development and ultimately excelled. For me, being this year’s valedictorian is utterly monumental. There’s a simple reason for this, my older brother used to brag about how he was student of the year during his tenure here and I was nominated but never received it but guess who won? I finally beat him, sure I took it to the end of the road but it counts. Now personally, I want you to remember the lessons we learned that will stay with you forever. 

     I hope for you to always make a positive impact wherever you find yourself. The words of Maya Angelou state, “I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”  And as we look towards the future where all your hard-work has paid off, your success is up to you. I urge you to remember your potential is boundless. Class of 2024, may your journey be filled with wonder, courage and countless opportunities. The world is yours to shape. Cherish the memories we’ve made together and may they forever warm your hearts and guide your steps. As you move forward, know that you’ll always have a piece of Princess Margaret School with you. Continue to carry with you the knowledge, skills and values you learnt here and embrace challenges and opportunities as they come. 

     Now this would be no valedictory speech without highlighting those who guided me through my years here. Firstly, I must thank the almighty father for continuously giving me the strength to pull through and always remain at the top of my game. Next in line is my family, especially my mom and brother. They always gave me a reason to keep my eyes on the prize and to always work hard. Being fostered in a home with brilliant people was quite tough but I had to make my  mark. To my family distant and close, your encouragement has kept me motivated to strive,  this is when I must shout-out my cousin Bobby. Thirdly, we have the teachers and staff of the Princess Margaret School. Remember when I said we all have those teachers that made our journey smooth and easier? Mine include Mrs. Forbes, Mr. Greene, and Mrs. Kelsick, for always keeping me positively occupied Mrs. Spencer, Mrs. Cordice, and Mrs. Liverpool, for always looking out for me, Marcia for helping me with my confidence, Ms. Smith who in fact left us after 4th form but that’s okay, Mrs. Nathaniel, Mr. King with the countless opportunities and the list goes on. Finally, I cannot forget you guys. Without study groups, fun times in class, debriefing after a test or exam, we wouldn’t be united here today. Remember, you’re not just graduating; you’re levelling up into adulthood. Congratulations graduates! Now go out there and prove that those late nights studying were worth it. As you embark on this new chapter, remember that the possibilities are endless. Continue to dream big and aim high. Class of 2024, we did it!