NEGRIL, Westmoreland – TWENTY-THREE students accompanied by seven teachers from seven primary schools across the constituency of western Westmoreland, spent a fun-filled day at Beaches Negril Resort and Spa last Friday, as part of an initiative aimed at rewarding students who made it to the finals of a literacy competition put on by Member of Parliament, Dr Wykeham Mc Neill.

The guests came from the Revival All-Age, Negril All- Age, Little London Primary, Grange Hill Primary, Sheffield All-Age, Mount Grace Primary, and Bleauwarie Primary.

The students in particular, spent most of the day by the kiddie’s pool and waterpark, going down the four slides, floating on the lazy river and playing on the splash deck.

They also tried several restaurants, including the Café de Paris, Bar- B- Q Park, Dino’s Pizzeria and Arizona’s where they had a variety of sumptuous food and drink.

Some of the children also participated in dance competitions with the entertainment coordinators and later interacted with Sesame Street characters during their stay at the Negril family resort.

For Amelia Brown- Beckford, a teacher at the Little London Primary, it was a day well spent.

“It was a spectacular experience and I was very happy to see the children being given an opportunity to enjoy themselves after all their hard work,” she said.

Grange Hill Primary teacher, Marcia Stephens agreed.

“It was great! The Beaches Negril family atmosphere and amenities were ideal for keeping the children engaged. We are also very appreciative of the resort being able to host children from the seven top schools in the literacy competition – it truly is rewarding,” she told the Jamaica Observer West.

Student at the Grange Hill Primary Kayla King, who was named champion in the Grade 6 category of the literacy competition, said she was happy to have spent the day at the resort after working very hard in preparation for the competition.

“The preparation for the competition was very hectic, but it taught me many ways to develop my thoughts and analyse literature. It is an honour to have been named champion in the Grade 6 category and an equally great reward to have been able to spend the day at Beaches Negril with the teachers and students at my school, who have put in a lot of hard work. There were so many activities and a lot to do! I had a great time,” she argued.

The literacy competition, held annually, forms part of an overall education programme initiated by MP McNeill, who is also the minister of tourism and entertainment, which includes the building of a library in Grange Hill from constituency development fund and a donation from Dennis Hawthorne of Dennis Shipping, and an annual GSAT Camp aimed at improving the performance of schools in the Grade Four Literacy Exam and the Grade Six Achievement Test.

Meanwhile, McNeill has commended the Sandals Group and its chairman Gordon ‘Butch’ Stewart for providing complimentary passes to the students and teachers “who thoroughly enjoyed their stay at the Beaches Negril Resort last Friday”.