tidings
Paula Lindo
The graduation ceremony for the Ministry of Education’s Laventille/Morvant School Improvement Project (LMSIP) music holiday camp was a lively and energetic event, as students from three schools showcased the skills learned over a four-week period.
The event took place on Wednesday last week at the Government Campus Plaza Auditorium, Richmond Road, Port of Spain.
The ceremony featured vocal and instrumental presentations by students from St Barbs Government Primary School, Morvant Laventille Secondary School and Success Laventille Primary School who participated in the July camp.
Minister in the Ministry of Education Lisa Morris-Julian said the project began as an intervention exercise to support the growth and development of a number of schools in the area.
“There is now an opportunity to continue the project with a targeted focus using the community recovery operational framework. You see, we have a vision to develop and support the potential of every student through academics, sports, art, history and cultural heritage.
“We expect our students to be empowered to blossom into inspired, confident and creative learners. I would say that this camp has achieved that goal.”
She said she was proud that the students not only learned to perform, but also learned about the history of TT and they would be performing at TT’s 60th Independence celebrations.
Morris-Julian said that as a former teacher with some background in the performing arts, she realized the tremendous lifelong benefits of visual and performing arts.
“As well as being part of our national curriculum, the arts can do wonders for our mental and physical health and can spark interest in sustainable and self-sustaining arts careers for adults and teenagers.
“I strongly believe that the VAPA (visual and performing arts) aspect would help with discipline and focus. Fortunately for me, I have a support team in the ministry and they did.
“The children have responded to the program, their work is getting better academically, there is a correlation and we would like to expand the program.
“Every single space is supposed to have a VAPA element, but we’re using this a little differently. We’re using it as part of the discipline, as part of the academic process, so it works.”
Ministry of Education curriculum coordinator Dr Josephine Torrel-Brown said the aim of the camp was to empower students and increase their self-esteem. She shared a concept called the experience economy, which talks about businesses using the elements they have to give customers an experience.
“It’s all about fun, good times. We’ve used that concept in education, giving students opportunities to have fun and experience fun, and have an experience that they would be willing to learn and remember.
“There is another concept called edutainment – combining education and entertainment, so our students are learning, they are involved in education, but they are having fun and being entertained.”
She said each school had a vocal camp and an instrumental camp, so students were taught to use their speaking voices and play musical instruments. They were also taught musical literacy including notation, reading and writing; numeracy and literacy, including reading, writing and mathematics; and performance.
“They would have learned skills and techniques to play different instruments. The program also included music appreciation, a bit of musical history of the various genres they would be exposed to – spoken word, chutney, calypso – and instrument care and maintenance.
“One of the most important aspects of the program was morals and values. So our students learned about patriotism, how to love their communities, their nation, how to love and appreciate our national instrument, a sense of team spirit as students have to work together.
Students were given certificates, and the most distinguished students were awarded with musical instruments.
The tutors, drawn from the multicultural music program unit, were Jehiah Hope, Dwayne Frederick, Natasha Joseph and Khari Codrington.
At Success Laventille Secondary, the participating students were Alithia Baird, Andreus Languedoe, Colt John, Genelle Jack, Michaela De Leon, Mikel Clauzel, Nathaniel Lawrence, Sumia Richards and Vincroy Kirby. Vocal and instrumental camp were combined.
Students participating in the St Barb Instrumental Club were Jeniah Amaroso, Jeneal Cupid, Keston Durity, Takeem Guy, Lithany Hall, Joshua John, Jordan Julien, Kenwin Maundy, Naomi Phillips, Shadiya Quacoo, Shanicua Quacoo, Jaheem Wilson, and Dy.
St Barbs Vocal Club students included Aaliyah Samuel, Akili Roberts, Akiyah Roberts, Josephine Chedu, Kael Victor, Madison Robertson, Mikita Ragis, Rebecca King, Steven Edwards, Tamika King, Tyla Jules and Tyron George.
At Morvant Laventille High School, participating students were Alicia Keil, Antion Jacobs, Basil Foye, Brandy James, Jalen Euin, Jalissa Francois, Justyn Sawyer, Malachi Glasgow, Miguel Garcia, Rau’l Banfield, Tamara Williams, Thomas McKenzie and Utika Hanson .
