Graduates of Grove Primary School who are preparing to enter high school in September received some powerful words of advice at their recent school-leaving ceremony.

Courtney Bell, Flow Foundation’s Community Program Coordinator, was the guest speaker where he charged the students to prepare for this new chapter in their educational and life journey. Bell spoke to the children about the importance of their decision-making, being kind and respectful to others, and using social media responsibly. He pointed out that high school will present new challenges for them but will be one of the most rewarding periods of their young lives.

“High school will be a new experience for you. You will be in a new environment with new rules and new people. Choosing your friends wisely and making good choices will be important, as the friends and the choices you make during high school will influence your path through life,” Bell told the young graduates.

Grove Primary was established in 1929 by the Anglican Church and was one of the first schools in the Gordon Town Division. It was one of several schools that received internet upgrades from the Flow Foundation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Bell used the opportunity to reinforce the importance of responsible internet use, which is a key pillar of the Flow Foundation.

“Remember the importance of being safe and responsible when online and to think before posting, think again, then post if you have to. Your social media posts are often used by people to form their

first impressions of you. Use social media responsibly,” advised Bell.

He further encouraged the students to stay grounded and not to be lured by lavish lifestyles sometimes portrayed on social media. In his closing remarks, he implored parents to show their children unconditional love, support their positive endeavours, and be good role models.

Francine Arnett, Principal of Grove Primary, said Bell delivered a timely and relevant message that was well received.

“The speech was powerful and relevant. The students, parents, teachers, and the attendees were all tuned in,” she said. “The real-life scenarios, the message of not giving up on themselves, and the possible negative implications of social media posts, as well as the positives that can come from using the platforms responsibly, were well received.”

Since 2004, the Flow Foundation has been instrumental in supporting schools and communities across the island through access to our network, smart devices to promote online connectivity, and educational resources to support digital inclusivity.