Barrett Town All-Age gets new computer lab

The Barrett Town All-Age School in St James received a major boost on Thursday, with the official opening of its newly constructed computer lab.

The lab, which houses 10 computers and other equipment, was made possible by Sheila Johnson, CEO and founder of Salamander Hotels and Resorts, who asked for the facility to be named in honour of former chairman of Half Moon Resort, the late Guy Steuart II.

Johnson said that Salamander Hotels is presently managing Half Moon, and has fallen in love with the school.

In honour of Guy Steuart II

"I have gotten to know the Steuarts very well, and it is my honour to have donated this computer laboratory in honour of Guy Steuart II, who is also a former chairman of the school board," she said. "We made a donation of a US$5,000 gift, which is just the beginning. We are now getting a quotation on refurbishing a playground."

Principal Anthony Murray welcomed the donation, saying the lab will "aid in our abilities to reach our students, and enable our teachers to better prepare for the challenges of online classes".

"Since the COVID-19 pandemic, we have been faced with a challenge of reaching our students online, and so now teachers and students without Internet at home will be able to come in and utilise these computers," he said. Murray said that with a population of over 300 students, the lab will now benefit the more than 120 pupils who are in the examination grades.

Guy Steuart III, current board chairman for Half Moon, noted that his family "has made a long history in donating to education, because education is the best mechanism to have".