Minister of Education Transformation Chad Blackman opened the First Form Academy at the Princess Margaret Secondary School, challenging its inaugural students to embrace their purpose and help establish a new standard of excellence at the Six Roads, St Philip, school.
The First Form Academy is designed to provide targeted support while broadening students’ development. Alongside mathematics, English language, conversational Spanish and integrated science, students will receive seminars in emotional intelligence, financial literacy, career awareness, mental health and wellbeing, citizenship and leadership.
Education Minister Chad Blackman and education officials looking at the first form building. (Photo Credit: Lauryn Escamilla)
Speaking at the launch on Monday, Blackman told the first cohort they had an opportunity to become part of the school’s history, but with that distinction came a responsibility to contribute to its future.
“This represents the future of this school… not just in creating a new culture but saying to the rest of our village that Princess Margaret means business. Princess Margaret is deliberate,” he said.
The minister challenged students to think beyond secondary school and consider how they could eventually give back to the institution, their communities and Barbados.
“This is your purpose. Why am I here? How can I contribute not just to the school but to your wider community, your country, and the world?”
Blackman also set a five-year target for Princess Margaret Secondary School to become one of the island’s top ten secondary schools.
“I want to challenge the school to embrace that bold five-year vision. And what is that vision? That within five years, Princess Margaret Secondary School should be amongst the top ten secondary schools in Barbados.”
He stressed that achieving the target would require effort by students, teachers, parents, the school’s board of management and the community.
“Providing opportunity does not mean lowering expectations. We are here to raise the expectations of this school and everyone that comes through it.”
Chief Education Officer Ramona Archer-Bradsaw said the academy reflected a broader change in education, with schools being encouraged to adapt their structures to better respond to students.
“We have recognised that our schools must continuously evolve to meet the needs of our students,” she said. “We must be willing to adapt our programmes and our structures to do what we really want them to do, and that is to support you.”
The results demonstrated that innovation was not simply about changing what teachers teach, but also how students are supported, she said.
She noted that St George Secondary recorded an increase of more than 60 per cent in mathematics passes between 2025 and 2026, while Daryll Jordan saw an increase of more than 40 per cent in English passes over the same period.
“The Princess Margaret Secondary School now joins that growing movement of schools that places students at the centre of education transformation,” Archer-Bradsaw said.
She said the PMSS initiative would focus on improving academic outcomes while incorporating parenting programmes, psychosocial interventions and school education, with the school positioned to undergo transformation over the next five years.
For the school’s new acting principal Dr Michelle Edwards, the launch represented an opportunity to build on the school’s history while preparing students for the future.
Principal (Ag) at Princess Margaret Secondary School Dr Michelle Edwards (Photo Credit: Lauryn Escamilla)
“Today we officially launch the first form academy, a sanctuary designed exquisitely to transition, nurture, and elevate our newest scholars into titans of excellence,” Edwards said.
She encouraged parents to work alongside the school and challenged teachers to maintain high standards as they guide students through the academy.
“To our phenomenal teachers and staff because we know we are architects of their future. Let our passion be the fuel that drives them. Let our standards remain uncompromisingly high.”
The academy’s launch also coincides with the introduction of the school’s new uniform, which Belle said reinforced the broader transformation at PMSS.
“The introduction of this modern uniform further reinforces transformation, representing renewal, pride, belonging, and the high expectations we have for both students’ achievements and conduct.”
Blackman told the first-form students that their position as the academy’s inaugural cohort would remain part of their identity long after they leave the school.
“You will be forever the first of the academy. You will be forever the first who wore this beautiful — dare I say beautiful-looking — uniform.”
But he warned that being first also meant setting the standard for those who would follow.
He urged students to take advantage of opportunities beyond academics, including sports, community service learning and public speaking.
The minister said students would be introduced to community service learning this week, while Student TV during the term would provide opportunities to develop communication skills and interview others.
He also encouraged students studying French and Spanish to use online platforms to expose themselves to the languages outside the classroom.
“Your world is not limited by the language that you speak. There’s a world out there, a huge world that we want to expose you to.
“The academy therefore places a significant emphasis on professional development, collaboration, differentiated instruction, inclusive education, restorative practice, the relative instruction, and professional learning communities.”
As students begin the new school year, Blackman said the ultimate measure of the academy would be its impact on the students and school over time.
“This is a moment of celebration, but not just celebration. Reflect on it and ask yourself, ‘Where will the academy be within the next five, ten years?’” he said as he unveiled the academy’s sign.
The minister said the academy was intended to become a model for education transformation beyond Princess Margaret, with data and lessons from the pilot expected to help shape future approaches across Barbados.
He left the students with a final challenge to believe in their ability to succeed and pursue excellence with purpose, discipline and determination.
“Nobody can stop me from achieving what I set out to do. Nobody. And I want you to have the same mindset.”
He urged the first-formers to make the most of the opportunity before them: “That all of you will be great in every single thing that you have put your mind to do.”
(LG)
