Phillip Biggs, community relations officer at Jamalco, discussing the importance of making a lasting first impression. He was speaking recently to students at Hayes Primary and Junior High School during the institution's second annual Boys' Day. Titus Kayode, also from Jamalco, spoke with the boys about self-esteem and deportment. The Child Month activities were jointly planned by Sonia Coomarsingh and Karen DeSilva, guidance counselors at the school which has 1,075 boys on roll. - Contributed

HAYES, Clarendon:

Child Month activities culminated at the Hayes Primary and Junior High School on May 28 with the staging of the second annual Boys' Day where 40 men shared their expertise with some 1,075 boys. The presentations included career choices, the importance of positive self-esteem, deportment, etiquette and life-coping skills.

Guidance counsellor, Sonia Coomarsingh, said that the objective of the event was to motivate and educate the students through interaction with influential role models who provide a platform for discussions arising from their personal experiences.

positive role models

"Many of our students lack positive role models and Boys' Day seeks to educate them, build their self-esteem and make them feel special as their lives are touched by positive instruction and guidance," she said.

The school organised 20 presentations over both shifts for the day focusing on the theme, 'Young, Gifted and Black'. Among the topics covered were: the Child Protection Act, puberty, self-esteem, hygiene and careers in the vocational area.

Two presenters from the school's neighbouring company, Jamalco, also shared in the presentations. Kayode Titus, of the Information Services Department, explained how the boys should handle negative words and verbal abuse.

"Don't let others get you down," he said, reminding the boys that, with high self-esteem, they would not be easily daunted by those around them. He also discussed positive self-esteem and its correlation with job ethics and work attitude.

first impression

Phillip Biggs, community relations officer with Jamalco, said that a first impression is a lasting impression and so he urged the boys, "Make sure you practise the right thing." In further discussions with the boys, he said that one possible result of bad behaviour is prison sentence.

"Young men, whether you are at home, school, church, on the street, or around the dinner table, you must conduct yourselves in a good way," said Biggs.

Other presenters were drawn from the National Council on Drug Abuse, the Child Development Agency, the police, the Probation Office, and Old McDonald's Farm which sponsored a nutritional treat for both the Boys' and Girls' days. Girls' Day was the first for the school and was held earlier in the week for the 848 female students at the school.