The Montserrat Bar Association successfully completed its first Primary School Essay Competition, which formed part of the Montserrat Bar Association’s 2nd Annual Law Week of activities, once again embracing the Association’s theme ‘Serving Community and Law’.
The Winners
The winners of the Primary School Essay Competition were announced on Thursday 3rd March on ZJB. They were:
Ages 4 to 6:
- 1st place Kheron Weekes of St. Augustine Roman Catholic School
- 2nd place Jessica Pyke of Lookout Primary School
Ages 7 to 9:
- 1st place Tene’ Fergus of Lighthouse Community Academy
- 2nd place Juanique Roache of Augustine Roman Catholic School
Ages 10 and over:
- 1st place D’Vaughny Browne of Lookout Primary School
- 2nd place Diesha Greenaway of Lighthouse Community Academy
The Award Ceremony
The award ceremony for the competition was held on Wednesday 9th March at the High Court, situate in Brades. The ceremony was presided over by Director of Public Prosecutions, Oris Sullivan. There were opening remarks by President of the Montserrat Bar Association, Chivone Gerald, remarks on the essays by His Lordship Justice Albert Redhead, summary of the essay competition by Member of the Montserrat Bar Association, Ms. Cilma Wade, and comments on the essays by the markers – Ms. Dara Modeste, Mrs. Cheverlyn Williams-Kirnon and Mr. Kenya Lee. His Lordship Justice Albert Redhead presented the awards to the winning students and the winning primary school. Treasurer of the Montserrat Bar Association, Ms. Amelia Daley concluded the ceremony with the vote of thanks.
The Essay Competition
There were 78 participants in the essay competition and the essays were assessed in three different age groups, which were: ages 4 to 6, 7 to 9 and ages 10 and over. Invitations for participation in the Essay Competition were sent to all the primary schools on island. The primary schools that participated were Lookout Primary School, Lighthouse Community Academy and St. Augustine Roman Catholic School.
There were three markers per school and the essays were assessed based on marking rubrics, which were provided by the Montserrat Bar Association. Each participating school formulated a registration system and issued a registration number to each participant, in an effort to conceal the identity of the students.
The topic was “What does the law mean to me?” This was aimed at raising public awareness of the law by children and gathering their views about the law, whilst educating them. The Montserrat Bar Association also sought to promote the development of their writing skills, encourage a healthy sense of competition and a commitment to excellence.
“We were very impressed by the essays submitted, and their description of what the law meant to them…” Ms. Cilma Wade.
One student described the law as just a little three-letter word, but a three-letter word with a very big meaning, which was bigger than him, because he was just 7 years old.
It was also observed that many students were very well aware of the laws of Montserrat, the important role it plays in society, and that there were consequences for not following the law.
