Arthur Smith Primary School Founders' Day Celebrates Dedication and Potential with Honors for Long-Serving Staff

In a celebration of dedication, service, and untapped potential, the Arthur Smith Primary School community gathered at the St Matthias Anglican Church on Monday, for their annual Founders’ Day Service.

The theme, Unlocking My Potential – Imagine, Believe, Achieve, resonated throughout the ceremony.

This year’s service also honoured three long-serving stalwarts of the school: Lana Welch, Jennifer Jones, and Renee Rollins-Taylor.

Acting Principal John Quinton acknowledged their invaluable contributions during his opening remarks: “Because of the uncertainties of life, we are taking time out to honour these three ladies—Sister Lana, Sister Jennifer, and Sister Renee.”

“These ladies are among the unsung heroes of Arthur Smith Primary School. They have poured into the lives of thousands of our students from [several] communities. I stand here to assure them that their outstanding work is recorded in heaven,” he added.

The acting principal noted that three had each made a lasting impact on the school and its students.

Welch is credited with establishing both before- and after-school care programmes, while Jones, who has dedicated 21 years to the institution, not only started as a volunteer but has since managed the school’s WhatsApp chats and served as a key member of the Parent-Teacher Association. Rollins-Taylor, associated with the school for almost 20 years, has been a Brownie Guider and contributed to the school’s murals and décor.

Speaking directly to the students in attendance, Quinton offered a word of encouragement.

“Do you have an educational dream? A dream can only become a reality if you work hard,” he said, urging students to pursue their goals with diligence and determination.

Delivering an engaging keynote address, motivational speaker Cherita O’Dell used her own life story to inspire the students, drawing on the acronym BIG—Believe, Imagine, Go for it.

She shared personal anecdotes from her days as a student, highlighting the hardships she overcame by following these principles.

“What happens when you go for it and it doesn’t work out? You don’t stop or give up; you keep going,” O’Dell encouraged. “You believe it first, you imagine it, and you go for it. Even if everything doesn’t work out, you have to keep going. Every small step counts towards unlocking your potential.”

In her closing, O’Dell delivered a challenge to the young audience. She asked each student to hold up an imaginary ticket, saying, “This is your dream ticket, and this ticket is special because it’s going to take you to your dream. Whenever you need a reminder to keep going, even when your situation isn’t as you’d like, pull out your ticket and remind yourself to stay focused and keep going toward your dream.”

Her parting words to the students echoed the theme of her address: “Think BIG.”