Grace Primary students celebrate school closure in style
Today was the last day of classes for primary schools, and while most ended the year with informal Christmas parties, several years ago one Belize City primary school started to infuse some pomp and circumstance into its Christmas tradition. News Five’s Marion Ali crashed the party and filed this report.
Marion Ali, Reporting
If you thought that proper etiquette and courtesy is a thing of the past, these standard six students at Grace Primary certainly displayed that they have all the markings of politeness and good manners.
Every year the school holds a banquet to mark the closing of the first semester. The event mirrored a regal setting, complete with a décor and dress code becoming of kings and queens. And as the images depict, everyone was looking their sharpest and practicing fine manners – from the boys seating their partners…
…to requesting a dance…
…to giving complimentary toasts, complete with sparkling apple cider.
The youngsters also displayed their skills in waltz.
According to the standard six teachers, the event is for more than just having a good time… it is also to teach the young lads and ladies that etiquette is an important part of molding them into better citizens.
Diana Azueta, Std. Six Teacher, Grace Primary
“Students get to dress and act the part of ladies and gentlemen, at least for a day. So they’ve been practicing table manners and how to escort a lady and sit her down and that sort of thing, how to pay compliments, which is something you don’t really hear again. So they learn this is how I should really act as a lady or gentleman. Hopefully it runs off, we don’t know, but we do try to make them realize that if we do try to do that sort of thing Belize will be a little bit better.”
Rachel Palacio, Std. Six Teacher, Grace Primary
“It’s the standard that they have to meet up to academically, spiritually and as afar as the arts, the show we had, I was so amazed. But as I say, they know that there is a certain level that we strive for.”
Both the students and their parents have been looking forward to the banquet for months.
Pamela Roberts, Parent, Grace Primary Student
“For me it was just watching them when they came home and say oh come practice, practice, or show us what they learnt. That was the fun part for me. I can’t take any of the credit; it all has to go to both teachers.”
Marion Ali
“Is this emotional for you in the sense that in a few years time he will be doing the very same thing at a prom and then at college and after that, hopefully marriage?”
Pamela Roberts
“Marriage, I don’t want to jump to that part so far. But prom, you know you will be only on the outside because at prom they don’t let you get that close up. They will have you get them dressed, and you’ll probably be on the sideline but you won’t be able to take advantage of being so close up and enjoying the fun times with them. But it’s really emotional, ;wonderful feeling.”
Student #1
“We work hard fi di banquet and ih pay off the work.”
Student #2
“I feel so happy today. This is such a different thing because you usually see everybody in their uniform and just di run bout and stuff but we’re here being adequate and so gentleman and ladylike and so beautiful.”
Student #3
“I just excited fi do my stuff weh I need fi do and den everything come out successful. We just work hard and practice how fi dance and compromise with each other fi get everything together and well done.”
Student #4
“I think it’s a learning experience. I think that it’s nice to see everybody having fun and dancing and eating and being their selves with each other.”
Marion Ali
“All of you will not move on to the same high school so this must be the last shot. You don’t have this at graduation time.”
Student #4
“Well, it’s really sad because this is the last experience like this so we have to enjoy it.”
And while the students part ways for their Christmas holiday, their teachers hope that they will come back in the New Year seeing each other through different eyes. Marion Ali for News Five.
