Praslin secondary school welcomes Perseverance campaign |14 August 2020

It was on the rhythm of the rich and powerful school song interpreted by the school’s choir that the Praslin secondary school welcomed the Perseverance campaign, symbolised by a torch, to their grounds last Friday.

The campaign, an initiative of the National Council for Children (NCC), was launched in February 2019 at the Perseverance secondary school, and aims to instill a culture of hard work, determination and persistence for success, despite the many challenges that may surface along the way. It hopes to encourage a greater tenacity towards students’ lives and achieving better results.

What was meant to be a one-year campaign that touches all secondary schools nationally has now been extended for another year due to the positive response received and high demands from stakeholders.

In his remark for the ceremony, the head teacher, Michael Antoine, shed some light on perseverance as a value.

“By definition, perseverance is the value of being constant and firm in achieving a goal or overcoming an obstacle; I wish to liken overcoming obstacles to the way water flows round any object in its way, and liken being constant in our perseverance to the sun rising every day no matter how bad the weather is,” said Mr Antoine.

He called on all students to use this campaign as an extra boost for positive results, a campaign which he believes comes very handy now that the school is focused on improving results.

“To our students, believe that you are able, push yourselves to the limit. Apply your time and effort to your studies wholeheartedly, such that you attain your full potential. Let our school motto which is ‘determination prevails’ and the verses of our school song inspire you to commit yourselves to strive hard for success,” Mr Antoine shared.

NCC’s newly appointed chief executive Yasmin Umarji, who was particular touched by the welcome received, shared with the attendees: “When I listen to the words of the welcoming song, this gives me much hope and confidence that all the students here today will spread the word about perseverance and its importance to fellow peers. I believe the torch is in good hands and will serve its purpose.”

It was head boy Graig Sifflore and head girl Shanille Lesperance who accepted the symbolic torch and an encouragement message from Anse Boileau secondary school, the former host, and from Fatma Bibi, the director of training and education at NCC.

Other schools who have taken part in the campaign include Perseverance secondary, Beau Vallon secondary, English River secondary, Independent School, President’s Village and Anse Boileau secondary.

The accompanying photographs show some highlights of the launch ceremony.

Text and photos: Nadia Bedier