IT is difficult to determine who enjoyed Read Across Jamaica Day more on May 9, but the teachers and students of St Francis Primary & Infant School gave an emphatic ‘A’ grade to Nigel Holness, managing director, CIBC FirstCaribbean, for his efforts.

Holness read to Grade 4B and had the entire class responding animatedly — imitating various animal sounds referenced in the book. Their moos, barks, grunts, blahs, resonated across the classroom as they matched words to action. Holness was a good sport too, allowing one student to demonstrate how he walks his dog, using the bank executive’s tie like a leash. The table turned hilariously when Holness proceeded to walk the boy instead.

Latoya Smith, reading coordinator at the school, commended Holness for “immediately connecting with the children and getting them involved in the story”.

“It was an enjoyable reading,” she declared.

Principal Shallette McIntyre thanked Holness for taking the time to come to the school and committing wholeheartedly to engaging the children.

For his part, Holness thanked the school for the opportunity, noting that CIBC FirstCaribbean has an ongoing relationship with several educational institutions including tertiary, secondary and primary and basic schools.

“Our bank sees education as critical to the development of the young minds of the future leaders of our country,” he said.

One of Jamaica’s oldest schools, St Francis Primary & Infant School (formerly St Francis All-Age School), was established by the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany in 1890.