The facility, which is designed for the benefit of students, was the brainchild of Principal Valerie Charles-Welsh, who said it was a personal experience that motivated her to establish the centre at the school.

She said the school’s music room was expanded into the Therapeutic Room, which caters to counselling and relaxation.

The project was materialised through partnerships with private entities.

Purpose

“One of our main targets is to apply a variety of treatments that build our clients' fine motor skills, thus strengthening the grip and improving the management of the use of the two hands and the 10 fingers,” Charles-Welsh said, adding that the treatments will especially improve student’s performance at Penmanship and the ability to groom themselves.

“We also aim to increase the processing of information, pacing, memory and attention span,” Charles-Welsh said.

Brenda Cline recognised

Speaking of the honouree, Brenda Cline, Charles-Welsh said Ms Cline could be described as unique, cool, intelligent and classy. “She is the only educator that I know who taught Music and was a classroom teacher at the same time. Ms Cline taught every subject by using songs that she made up on the spot. She had the students use actions that brought out concepts.

"I really miss Ms Cline. In her last year, she was assigned to my classroom and she amazed me every day. She charmed the busy boys, and they liked her. She also made many creative teaching aids in the wink of an eye."

Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) saluted Ms Cline for her passion for education and the impact she has made in the life of students.

Minister for Education, Culture, Youth Affairs and Sports Honourable Sharie B. de Castro (AL) applauded the partnership that made the project a reality.

"It is so important to state that public-private partnership is so integral to education because as much as Government is doing its best and would seek to continue to advance the funding necessary to create opportunities like this for every school, we appreciate the donors that would have seen it fit to buy into the mandate and truly give these children an experience which I believe they will never forget."

Another significant milestone for Ms Cline!

Ms Cline said cutting the ribbon to the Therapeutic Room comes a day after another significant event in her life, witnessing her son Jovan E.L. Cline installed as Senior Pastor of the New Life Baptist Church.

Meanwhile, Principal Charles-Welsh came in for compliments from all who spoke, including Deputy Premier and Minister for Communications and Works Hon Kye M. Rymer (R5). "If you know anything about Principal Welch, everything is done in a high magnitude, nothing is done mediocre," Hon Rymer stated.