Mrs. Cynthia Wells, Principal

Mr. Curt Hollingsworth, Vice Principal of the High School

Mrs. Nicolette Archer, Vice Principal of the Primary School

Members of Administration

Teachers & Staff

Students

Good morning.

I am pleased to be able to join you this morning as you begin your careers week. Although this is my first official visit, I have long considered St. Anne’s one of the best schools in the country. Your school is well respected, and therefore, you students should consider yourselves fortunate to have the privilege to attend this prestigious institution that has a rich legacy, and is well known for its quality education.

For the past 56 years, St. Anne’s has produced graduates who are well rounded individuals, and who have made significant contributions to the development of our country. This is because emphasis is not only placed on academic achievements, but attention is also given to providing a well rounded curriculum that focuses on healthy sporting activities, the development of technical skills, civic involvement, but perhaps most importantly the strong spiritual foundation that is a key pillar in the operation of this school.

You may take some satisfaction in knowing that graduates from your school are serving at all levels of our society – in the professions such as law, accounting, medicine, engineering, architecture, banking, insurance, business, in the church, and in other areas such as education, politics, and in government service.

I wish to take this opportunity to thank Bishop Boyd, his predecessors, and the entire Anglican Diocese here in The Bahamas for their involvement in education and providing quality education in the four schools that it now operates here in New Providence, Grand Bahama, and Exuma.

I cannot stress how important getting a quality education is, particularly for a young and developing country such as ours. It is essential that every citizen, no matter on which island he or she resides, is given the opportunity to receive an education that will provide them with the skills to not only be competitive in The Bahamas, but also to equip them to compete on a global level.

It is important that each of you embrace this opportunity to receive a good education. Too many of our young people take receiving a quality education for granted, but you should be aware that in many countries, access to a good education is considered a privilege for only the select few.

Your attendance at St. Anne’s should be truly appreciated. Your parents and guardians, in many instances, are making significant sacrifices for you to attend this school. Take advantage of this opportunity, and do all you can to benefit from it. As you pursue your studies, give your best at all times, to make not only your parents and teachers proud, but also to fulfil your God-given potential to the fullest.

I am advised that upon graduating from St. Anne’s, some of you will further your education, whether at the College of The Bahamas, The Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute, or any of the other local colleges or universities, or at institutions in the Caribbean, North America, or even in Europe. I certainly wish to encourage all of you do well, and achieve the highest educational qualifications that you can, as our country will need as many qualified, and well trained individuals to fill the many opportunities that will continue to present themselves as we develop and expand.

I hope that you will recognise that your performance in high school will determine whether you will be able to pursue your dreams at the tertiary level.

Others of you may not be planning to pursue further education after graduation, for any number of reasons, instead choosing to immediately enter the job market. No doubt some of you will be looking for employment in the private sector, whether in the tourism, financial services, the construction industry, or any of the sectors of our economy. Many too will be seeking employment in the public sector – that is with the Government of The Bahamas. No matter what sector of the job market you will be seeking employment, you should also be aware that in an increasingly competitive job market, how you perform in high school will also determine what options are available to you.

No matter what your options are, whether pursuing further education, or whether entering the job market, I cannot stress how important it is for you to embrace every opportunity that St. Anne’s offers you. Make good use of your time here, and learn as much as you can from your teachers, for they are doing their best to equip you with the life skills to compete at a high level.

This year, your principal and the school’s administration have appropriately chosen to place special attention of the uniformed branches of the government for this year’s careers week, under the theme “Careers in the Armed Forces: A Duty to Protect and Serve.”

It is indeed a laudable goal to serve in the branches of the Public Service whose duty it is to protect and serve – in careers in the Royal Bahamas Police Force, the Royal Bahamas Defence Force, Her Majesty’s Prisons, the Immigration Department and the Customs Department.

As a sovereign nation it is important that we have Bahamians who are well qualified and well trained to perform the many duties that are required to maintain our sovereignty, and to ensure that the individual rights and freedoms of every citizen, resident and visitor are protected.

Careers in our law enforcement agencies have long been incorrectly considered to be careers of last resort. I wish to assure you that these professions are indeed honourable, and offer a wide variety of options that are not often marketed enough. In many of these careers the men and women that we see on a daily basis are only a fraction of the exciting and rewarding careers that need individuals with academic backgrounds beginning with high school diplomas, and highly specialised and trained persons. All of these agencies are now competing for the best and brightest minds in our country, and therefore to ensure employment, good BGCSE results are needed for even entry level positions.

The Royal Bahamas Police Force is the primary law enforcement agency in the country. It is by far the largest, with approximately 3,000 officers posted on every major island in our country. This organisation, which has been in existence since 1840, is charged with the responsibility for the maintenance of law and order, the preservation of peace, the prevention and detection of crime, the apprehension of offenders, and the enforcement of all laws with which it is charged.

While the majority of officers are deployed to perform frontline policing, that includes mobile and foot patrols, the organisation is also equipped with officers who work in a number of specialists areas. The organisation has a need for forensic scientists, computer specialists, communication technicians, pilots, boat captains, lawyers, auto and marine mechanics, accident reconstructionists, facial reconstructionists, journalists, fire specialists, armourers, and educators, to name but a few. The police force also needs individuals with strong investigative skills to work in areas such as the Drug Enforcement Unit and the Central Detective Unit.

The Royal Bahamas Defence Force is considered the next major law enforcement agency. It was established in 1980 and it is charged with the defence of The Bahamas, the protection of the territorial integrity of our country, the patrol of our waters, to provide assistance and relief in times of disaster, and the maintenance of order in conjunction with the other law enforcement agencies.

There are approximately 1,000 Defence Force officers in The Bahamas, and this organisation has the need for a cadre of skilled individuals in a number of areas such as boat captains, engineers, pilots, navigators, computer specialists, as well as marines to operate on the boats and on the base.

The officers of the Immigration Department are the guardians of our borders. They determine who is eligible to enter our country at each of our ports of entry – airports and docks – which receive international travelers. In seeking to prevent undocumented persons from entering our country illegally, the Immigration Department works closely with the Police and Defence Forces of our country.

The Customs Department is responsible for the control of entry of goods to our country. One of their primary duties is to prevent illegal goods from entering our country – illegal drugs, weapons and other contraband. In the conduct of this assignment Customs Officers may also work very closely with Police and Defence Force officers.

As many of you are aware anything – food, clothing, furniture, building materials, motor vehicles etc. – imported into The Bahamas from a foreign country must be inspected by a Customs Officer and assessed a duty. In the collection of customs duties, the customs officers perform the duty of revenue collection officers; indeed they are the primary revenue collection officers for the Government.

The officers of Her Majesty’s Prisons are charged with the responsibility of ensuring that all persons who are convicted of offences and sentenced to prison, or are on remand awaiting trial, are securely kept in prison, and those who are convicted are provided with opportunities to be rehabilitated.

I have provided you with just a glimpse of the wide range of careers that are offered in our law enforcement agencies. Each agency is critically important to our progress and success as a nation, and they each offer careers that are truly worthy of commendation. They are honourable careers and I would suggest that as time permits, representatives from these agencies be invited to speak to you in more detail about what career options are available to you.

As I conclude my remarks, I wish to share with you some thoughts about your future careers regardless of the path which you follow.

Firstly, remember that your life will only be as meaningful as you make it. No one can make what you do worthwhile and deserving of recognition, only you can do that. Whatever you do, do it honestly, with pride and with a determination to always perform to the best of your ability. The satisfaction that you will take from doing a job well will be as important as any financial reward which you may earn.

Secondly, remember that there is nothing ordinary about doing a good job. Giving excellent service and being dedicated to the improvement of your condition and the condition of those around you is special. Strive to be special.

Thirdly, remember that we are social beings. Lonely is the man or woman who succeeds alone. The bonds of friendship and community will lift you up during the difficult times that each of you is likely to meet during your lives. So look for fellowship with your friends and family and maintain healthy relationships that build you up. At the same time, avoid bad company. They mean you no good and are likely to bring you no good. Stay away from people who engage in illegal activities. Invest in your future through discipline and hard work.

Some of our people have developed attitudes of entitlement; they demand reward with little or no effort. This has resulted in increased self-centeredness and in a weakening of the bonds of friendship and community, and in a growing disrespect for others, a cheapening of human life, and a greater tolerance of violence - in our homes and in our communities.

We need more of our citizens to value the dignity of human life and the joy of a life well worth living in the pursuit of excellence and in service to others.

I certainly hope that many of you will choose to pursue careers in the uniformed services of our country and that you will bring with you from St. Anne’s, a culture of honesty and dedication to neighbour, community and country.

You, the young people of The Bahamas will make our future. It is my fervent hope for each of you that you will succeed at whatever career you choose and that you will succeed because of honest, hard work, dedication, perseverance and service to a goal bigger than yourselves, that is national service and faithfulness to our God.

Thank you!