Testimonies from Alumni, Parents and Staff
OUR UNFORGETTABLE HAPPY TIMES AT THE WESTPRIME!
I remember my time at The West Prime with great fondness. Some of my happiest memories are of special school assemblies which took place every other Friday. In these assemblies, students performed plays, dances and songs and the parents would attend. I can remember the very first school assembly that I performed in, or more accurately, my mother remembers it and has told me about it often enough that it now seems like I can remember it too. My mother says that I gave a beautiful rendition of a song called Sandalili. She recalls being very surprised to see me singing so confidently because prior to that day, I had been shy among fairly large groups of people. The WestPrime taught me confidence. As we grew older, we, the students, began to write the plays for special school assemblies ourselves. I remember Anne Omang’s play: The Wages of Sin is Death; I had the lead role. In the following term, it was my turn to write a play that my class acted. The WestPrime taught us creativity. I can also remember choreographies that I performed in while I was at The WestPrime. I did my first choreography with Anne Omang; we choreographed to the song You Don’t Have to Worry. We had to practice a lot to learn how to move in synchrony. The WestPrime taught us teamwork.
I can remember my final year at The WestPrime. It was one of my happiest years. The students in my class did very well and I won two awards. I don’t think this would have been possible without the happy environment of The WestPrime. The WestPrime helped us to excel.
I remember the times we went to Radio Nigeria to participate in radio broadcasts. This really helped to develop my charisma and articulation. The WestPrime gave us opportunities.
How can I forget the numerous excursions we embarked on? Where did we not go to in Ibadan? We went to the zoo, the airport, Sango Market, a bakery, the Fan Ice factory and many other places. I got to learn so many things through these trips. The WestPrime brought us exposure.
It would be unforgivable of me to forget our unique uniform. Is there any other school in Nigeria where the girls are allowed to wear shorts to school? Well, at The West Prime the girls were allowed to wear shorts. This gave us freedom when we were playing. There was no sport I wasn’t able to do in WestPrime, handball, basketball, football, you name it. The West Prime was different.
I am grateful to all my teachers who made my stay in the school wonderful. Thank you Mr. Olakanmi, Mr. Akinsanya and Mrs. Adejumo (Aunty Nike)! Aunty Nike, you were a really wonderful teacher. I am also very grateful to the proprietress, Mrs. Dauda who provided an academically stimulating environment that was relaxed.
I am now about to enter university. I wonder if I would be the same person if I didn’t attend The West Prime. I don’t know but I really believe that The West Prime brought out the best in me.
Iyeyinka AnuOluwahan Omigbodun
(Iyeyinka started at The WestPrime as a toddler in 1996 and graduated as the Head Girl in 2005. She came second in Nigeria in the 2010 West African School Certificate Examinations. Iye is an author of two books and is now an undergraduate at The Harvard University, U.S.A. Above article is an excerpt from The School Magazine, Volume 2, 2011)
I wish to let you know, and I am very confident to say, that, this is the only school where a child is prepared for life.
(Omolola Kanyinsola, 2002 -2013. Excerpts from The School Magazine, Volume 4, 2013 p.59)
Every time I remember my foundation, I am happy. I really disliked Fridays and holidays as they meant, no going to school. … My days in The WestPrime Model School were fun filled. I had an all-round training. I also had love. The school made me who I am today. I can stand tall anywhere and say, Yes! It is more than a school, it’s a HOME!”
Adewunmi Adebusuyi (2005)Excerpts from The School Magazine, Volume 4, 2013 p.55).
The WestPrime Model School has never compromised quality. This is evident in the VISION of the school: preparing the CHILD for Life. Every child that is registered in the school is professionally received as unique and different. Consequently within the shortest possible time, the potentiality of such child is discovered and nurtured.
The idea of preparing the CHILD for Life means that the School has to run programmes of activities that will expose the CHILD to varied experiences. All work and no play, makes Jack a dull boy. It is in this regard that the school has evolved other extra-curricular activities ranging from sports to other socio-cultural events like the Science Project and the Literary Project to enable the CHILD have an all-round development.
The school management equally went a step further in providing local and imported facilities for the school play ground. The play equipment is quite inexhaustible as the school can boast with more than a toy per child, and these are not just toys, but educational toys to enable the child learn faster through play and through concrete objects.
The school library is also well-stocked with different kinds of books and these are made available to all pupils and teachers.
The school also has seasoned computer operators who expose the children to virtually every aspect of computer operations.
The School is equally a model and symbol of national unity in diversity. Employment of staff is based strictly on the merit principles; regardless of the gender, age, ethnic origin, religion or creed. The school engages the services of both Christian and Muslim teachers to teach the pupils according to academic curriculum without prejudice whatsoever.
The employment criteria are readiness to learn, being teachable, willingness to add value and of course a total commitment to the School’s mission and vision of preparing the CHILD for Life.
(Mrs Gloria C. Okorie, Parent, The School’s Magazine Coordinator and Year 3 Teacher 2009 to 2012. Excerpts from The School Magazine, Volume 1, 2010 p.74)
Well, it is beyond argument that every parent who puts his/her child in The WestPrime Model School is fortunate because this is a school that has discipline as the corner stone of her vision of preparing the CHILD for life.
I have no doubt in my mind that the management of the school is doing its best.
(Barrister Musibau Adetumbi, Chairman (Parents-Teachers’ Forum (PTF), 2009 to 2012. Excerpts from The School Magazine, Volume 1, 2010 p.77).
Education at the WestPrime is more than Mathematics and English Language learning or passing examinations. It is about creativity, imagination, thinking, and collaboration. Difficult tasks are made simple and this makes learning to be painless and enjoyable for the children.
There was fun in and outside the classrooms. Girls played active football with the boys. The children were motivated and the confidence level was very high.
In my different roles with the school, as a former staff, Parent-Teachers’ Forum (PTF) secretary and chairman, and now a friend of the school, I can see that what is going on well for the school is the system which the management has created.
In-service training is an ongoing thing and new teachers are introduced to the uniqueness of the school’s approach to education of the CHILD.
The WestPrime Model School is really and genuinely preparing the CHILD for life.
(Akin Alamu, Ex-Deputy Head 1998-2000. Excerpts from The School Magazine, Volume 1, 2010 p.77).
If a dullard is admitted as a student into The WestPrime, he/she will end up graduating from this great school as a genius because before you know it his/her talent would have been discovered by Mrs. Omobola Dauda.
As far as I am concerned, I am proud to be associated with The WestPrime Model School. How I wish the Federal Government could appoint this wonderful woman as a minister of education so as to afford the entire country the opportunity to benefit from her wealth of experience.
(Hon. Ahmed Olumuyiwa Sogbetun, Excerpts from the Chairman’s Address, End of Year Prize Giving Day.
Firstly, I will say The WestPrime Model School is one of the best citadels of learning in this Oyo State. It is established in a conducive environment and also equipped with highly qualified teachers. In addition, I will like to commend the efforts of all teachers in this school because we parents can see your effort on our children. I as a parent enrolled my child with this school three (3) years ago and I have never regretted for doing so because my child changed for the better and even more than my expectation. …
Secondly, I will like to appreciate everybody working in this school from the gateman (Mama Soldier) to the school cleaner for the proper care and monitoring given to our children both during and after school hours. Thank you for a job well done.
(Surv. (Chief) Ademola Oguntade, Excerpts from the Chairman’s Address, End of Year Prize Giving Day, 24th July, 2013).