On February 28, Mercy Schools celebrated Jamaica under the theme “Celebrating Jamaica: Steaming Towards the Future, Honing Good Character.” With this theme, schools had the opportunity to showcase their skills and talents in various areas such as performing arts, visual arts, culinary arts, and STEAM-related fields.
Students came out proudly dressed in their black, green and gold, representing their national colours as they partook in the wide range of activities their schools had organised for the special day. Several schools had special booths with traditional Jamaican foods and cultural items on display. St. John Bosco (SJB) Vocational Training Centre and Alpha Vocational Training Centre (AVTC) has mouthwatering exhibits of familiar dishes like Blue Draws, cornmeal pudding; Gizzada, grater cakes, ground provisions, fruits and more.
Students also got to step back in time while perusing traditional/vintage objects like Jessie Ripoll’s hand cart, and SJB’s record player; boombox, film camera, kerosene lamps and lanterns and parts of a wheelbarrow. The displays of old technologies used in Jamaica’s history was a novelty to students and tied well into the STEAM-related theme of the day. Other displays showcasing students’ artwork and items of clothing showing traditional modes of dress. Students were also treated to cultural games like dominoes and traditional ring games.
Of course, Jamaica Day would not be complete without expressing our culture through the performing arts. Students and staff at each school put on a show with skits such as Alpha Primary’s “Jamaica’s Journey to independence,” along with folk songs and dances to genres like Ska, Reggae and Dancehall. Educational presentations on prominent Jamaicans were also made. These included Alpha Primary student’s skit on prominent sports personalities and speech on Reggae icons and AVTC’s presentations on Prime Ministers, Governor Generals and parishes. Jessie Ripoll also set up booths highlighting Jamaican authors, sports personalities and more. Divisions of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) also had their own booths at Jessie Ripoll Primary where students could learn about the JCF Mountain Troops (police horses), JCF Canine Division (police dogs), and JCF motorcycles.
Overall, students and staff alike had a wonderful time celebrating Jamaica’s rich culture and history. Each school brought their own unique flair to the day’s events and highlighted various elements of our culture.
