In British Virgin Islands, Governor visits and affirms students at Adventist school
His Excellency Governor of the Virgin Islands John S. Duncan speaks to students and teachers at the British Virgin Islands Adventist School in Tortola during a special assembly program, on April 11, 2016. The governor’s visit was on the celebration of the 90th birthday of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II Images courtesy of the Government of the Virgin Islands
May 17, 2016 | Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands | Royston Philbert/IAD Staff
His Excellency Governor of the Virgin Islands John S. Duncan recently visited the British Virgin Islands Adventist School for a special assembly to commemorate the 90th birthday of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
“It is a special time for the British Virgin Islands whose link to the crown stretches back over 300 years,” said Governor Duncan to more than 300 pupils and teachers. The visit by the governor was intended to engender support for the celebrations and to help students appreciate their history.
Some 310 students and teachers gathered for the special assembly at the BVI Adventist School.
Students and teachers sang the national anthem, territorial song and the school song which focuses on the perseverance for excellence during the assembly program.
“I am really excited about the words of your school song because it characterizes who you are and what you believe,” added the governor. Governor Duncan spoke on his roles as the queen’s representative and the role and functions of Her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth II.
It was the first time the highest ranking official of the Virgin Islands Government visited an Adventist institution, school officials said.
Wade Tobin, principal of the school, thanked the government and dignitaries. Tobin was delighted that the school was selected for the initiative. “Our students were able to see in person the community leaders spoken about during the civic classes,” said Tobin.
The governor visited several others schools to answer questions about the relationship between Her Majesty and the BVI territory and the 90th birthday festivities scheduled late last month.
The British Virgin Islands Adventist School was established in 1954 and is renowned for its values and principles and high academic standards. The school teaches primary and secondary students.
In 2015, the secondary division had the top performing student in the territory in the National School Leaving Examinations, school officials said. The school has won the National under 13 BVIFU Inter Primary Schools Tag Rugby in the 2016 Rugby Championship, and 12th grader Damien Williams won the Best essay for Her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth II 90th Birthday Essay Competition.
The Seventh-day Adventist Community on Tortola, Virgin Gorda, and Anegada in the British Virgin Islands, worships in nine congregations. The church oversees the BVI SDA School, which is an accredited institution with over 300 students in the primary and secondary divisions.