The Calliaqua Anglican School was robbed of seven trophies and two book bags containing stationery items that were to be awarded to the Grade 6 students at the school’s annual graduation ceremony last Friday.
The trophies, pins and mugs along with the two bags were arranged at the Calliaqua Anglican Church on Thursday June 13th for Friday’s graduation.
Speaking to Asbert News Network-ANN, Principal of the Calliaqua Anglican School, Urica Smith says they have always placed the trophies and other gifts in the church the day before graduation without any problems noting that this is the first year anything like this has ever happened.
“What is puzzling to me is that the trophies for outstanding performances were stolen including the Most Outstanding Students in Math, Science & Civics, the Most Outstanding Student, the Most Outstanding Male Student in Sports, the Most Outstanding Female in Sports and the Most Improved Student ”, Smith says.
She says “this is a very disheartening situation and it appears that whoever stole the gifts and trophies did so out of spite and malice as all the other items including fifty five mugs and pins were not removed and the other nine trophies were untouched. ”
Smith says the items were stolen amidst allegations that some parents made threats to “mash up” the Graduation Ceremony as they wanted their child to be awarded Valedictorian.
“Three telephone calls were made to the Calliaqua Police Station to assist with the investigations, to date, Management is unaware that any investigation was conducted. The reply of one of the officers after the third call was made was rather harsh,” says Smith.
The principal expressed gratitude to the Parliamentary Representative for the East St. George Constituency, the Hon. Camillo Gonsalves for reordering the trophies to replace the missing ones.
The students whose gifts and awards were stolen will be rewarded soon.
The Calliaqua Anglican School’s graduation Ceremony was held last Friday, June 14th as scheduled despite the unfortunate circumstance.
The school received 100% passes in the CPEA exams.