Stephen Covey's "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People" has taken Queen's College from being a great school to an excellent school, according to principal, Reverend Henry Knowles.

He said that at Q.C. they see themselves as "beacons" for other schools and The Bahamas.

"Our mascot is the Comet, and for us, Comets blaze trails for others to follow. Our goal is groom lifelong leaders - groom then, not create them."

Knowles said they see greatness in all students and that through mentorship, guidance and practice, the synergy of excellence can be ignited.

"At Queen's College, it is our purpose to give students the knowledge, skills, power, and courage to enable them to make appropriate choices in order to flourish in and contribute to a changing world."

Q.C. hosted its annual Leadership Day under the theme "Forward@50" to commemorate the anniversary of the 50th Independence of The Bahamas - July 10 on Friday, March 24.

"William Havard, said 'The greatest glory of a free-born people is to transmit that freedom to their children. He said Havard's quote emphasizes the importance of passing on the values of freedom and independence to future generations.

"Havard believed that being free is not just about enjoying the benefits of personal liberty, but also about ensuring that the same freedom is available for future generations."

He also referenced the words of the country's first Prime Minister Lynding Pindling who said if Bahamians do not fight and push for their nation, that others would take it from them.

"It is the responsibility of each free-born person to preserve and propagate the ideals of freedom, so that it could continue to flourish and benefit the society," said Knowles.

The principal told the Q.C. school population that national independence and by extension freedom, is not a static or a permanent state, but rather a dynamic concept that needs to be continuously nurtured and defended.

"It also underscores the notion that the greatest achievement of a free society is not in the individual accomplishments of its citizens, but in the collective ability of its people to preserve and transmit the values of liberty, equality, and justice to the next generation.

"As a Lighthouse School, we espouse 'The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People" and even now, as we approach the 50th anniversary of our Bahamian Independence, we can apply the & Habits to those of us moving forward, upward, onward, together as a nation."

Knowles encouraged students to be proactive; begin with the end in mind; put things first; think win-win; seek first to understand then to be understood; synergize; and to sharpen the saw.

"The world can be like a pot of boiling water - we can be like a carrot that gets weakened when placed in the pot, or we can be like an egg that gets hardened (bitter, angry, uncaring) in a tough environment; or, we can be like the coffee bean that transforms the water into coffee. Instead of being impacted by the heat and difficult conditions, it instead transforms the environment it's in.

"Within our young people, is the flavor that this country needs in order to propel it into the next 50 years."

Knowles told students, who are currently enrolled at the oldest private school in The Bahamas, that they are the "salt" and "light" of the earth."

The principal said all is not lost and that he sees a bright future ahead for The Bahamas and that at QC, they celebrate with all citizens and residents of The Bahamas in the 50th Independence.

Nylah Symonette, student of the year nominee, spoke to her peers about what leadership means to her and said it is the ability to set a good example for others to follow, as well as having the capacity to lead.

"To me, leadership is also being an inspiration to others by encouraging them to be their best selves and to always be on your feet and think outside of the box," said Nylah, a sixth-grade student.

She reminded them that a leader inspires, motivates and sets an example for people to accomplish positive changes in the world and to achieve their goals.

"My mom [Nakera Sumonette] often tells me that leadership is not just a title. Therefore, we are all leaders. So, remember to be a leader not a follower. But, if you must follow, please ensure that you are following the right example."

As they recognized Leadership Day, the sixth-grade student said it was an opportunity for them to showcase all of the good properties of a leader by being respectful, being helpful, and proudly displaying their leadership binder.

"It is a chance to show your parents, guests, teachers and yourself that you are a leader. It is also a day to showcase all that we have learned through our study and focus on the 7 Habits. At Queen's College, we believe that these 7 Habits are not just words, but behaviors that we should live by and do our best to apply them every day. The 7 Habits are be proactive, begin with the end in mind, put first things first, think win-win, seek first to understand then to be understood, synergize and sharpen the saw."

Nyhlah's favorite habit is think win-win. She said it allows everyone to have a fair chance at success.

QC's Leadership Day, with its emphasis on the 50th Independence, allowed the opportunity for the students to showcase their leadership skills to a wider audience.

During the opening ceremony, tenth-grade student Asari Mackey sang the National Anthem; the welcome and opening remarks were made by school head boy Hodari Prince. Head girl Diane Maillis, featured the visionary work of the "father of the nation," Sir Lynden Pindling, in achieving Independence for The Bahamas. The work of Andrea Gibson, retired former principal was also featured in bringing "The 7 Habits" to Queen's College. Knowles was credited with providing the passion and hard work to continue the legacy of leadership within the school.

Primary Years dancers performed to "Feel the Rhythm." Second-grade student Kai Neely and Nylah Symonette, student of the year nominee gave reflections on "The 7 Habits" in their lives. Eighth-grade student Grayson Roberts shared his perspective on "The 7 Habits".

During the day, the High School Band played "Hep Cat Jive," the Comets cheer squad danced to "Lift Me Up" and Alexia Tsavoussis and Angela Nixon, the school's Lighthouse coordinators, provided an overview of the journey with "The 7 Habits".

In attendance were Leslia Miller-Brice, chair, National Independence Secretariat; and Dominique McCartney-Russell, acting director of education. They were given a tour by students through various sections of the school and shown the unique features of a "Leader in Me" classroom. Leadership notebooks were on display and students discussed their Wildly Important Goals (WIGs), personal and class mission statements.

Queen's College became a Leadership school in 2010 and is the first Leadership school in the English-speaking Caribbean. They achieved Lighthouse status in April 2019; QC's students from Foundation Years, Primary Years and the High School embrace their leadership roles on a daily basis.

FranklinCovey is the home of Stephen Covey's "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People" and the school version "Leader in Me" - a whole-school transformation model and process developed in partnership with educators that empowers students with the leadership and life skills they need to thrive in the 21st century.

School officials say the positive impact of "Leader in Me" is evident in all three sections of the school. With a framework of leadership, culture and academics, they say QC students have been empowered to achieve in all three domains.

Foundation Years students revealed their leadership capabilities as they used the eighth habit, "Find Your Voice" to create a vegetable garden and to share it with their community.

Primary Years students conducted assemblies, bands, and contributed to parent evenings and student seminars.

Leadership they say abounds in the High School with students performing in the dramatic arts, contributing to outreach programs like QC 5000, donating to local charities throughout the pandemic and participating in many in-school clubs.

School officials say at QC, the declaration, "I am a Leader" honors the greatness within each child. And that the daily discovery of what each individual student's leadership capabilities is provide the energy and heart of the institution.

They say with the continued partnership of FranklinCovey, QC will stand as a beacon in the community for producing students with enormous leadership capabilities.

According to school officials, since then, QC has seen extraordinary development in its students and staff.

The school was recertified by FranklinCovey in 2022. School officials said the re-certification was impressive and showed that Q.C. persevered with all aspects of "Leader in Me" during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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