The official ceremony was conducted on the school grounds on Tuesday, February 11, and saw Belmont Association representative Amy Dorigan handing over the cheque to Principal Pearlette Frazer-Smith.

Dorigan said the funds were generated through donations gathered by the Belmont community over the last several months.

In accepting the cheque, Principal Frazer-Smith said the partnership will help the school achieve more objectives.

“With this new partnering, we know that you will see a difference. We will continue to see positive impacts on students learning. We will continue to develop critical thinkers, problem solvers and students who will function both in society and in the world,” she said.

Adoption to benefit the wider territory

Also speaking at the ceremony in front of an audience filled with both students and teachers was Education Minister Dr Natalio Wheatley, who said the occasion is one which will go a long way in bettering the future of the British Virgin Islands.

“We must always emphasise, we must always highlight, we must always remember that our children are worth the investment,” Dr Wheatley said.

“When you invest in children, you invest in the future, and by adopting this school we will ensure that we have quality education and a comfortable learning environment for our children, and we are doing our part in building a prosperous future for these young persons,” Dr Wheatley added.

Reputable entity which delivers on promises

Meanwhile, Premier and First District Representative Andrew Fahie, who was the pioneer behind the initiative when he served as Education Minister back in 2007, said he was pleased to welcome Belmont Association to the programme.

“I am overwhelmed that the Belmont Association has taken this stance and one thing I know about the Belmont Association, over the years they are consistently consistent about fulfilling anything that they have set their minds to do,” Fahie said.

“So I know once they have adopted the Leonora Delville Primary School, it’s not just about money for them, but it’s about your wellbeing overall and that of the teachers,” Premier Fahie added.

The Leonora Delville Primary now has three adopted parent entities, which includes Neville Smith Group of Companies, The New Life Baptist Church and now the Belmont Association.