The Tribune

By JEFFARAH GIBSON

Tribune Features Writer

jgibson@tribunemedia.net

AS students and teachers all across the Bahamas return to school next week, Christ The King Church (CTK) is making sure it does its part to ensure the new term begins on the right foot.

The Youth Ministry of CTK is hosting a Back to School Prayer Breakfast for students, teachers and parents this Saturday under the theme 'BLAST' (Believe, Learn, Achieve, Study, Trust). It will be held at the Murrillo Bonaby Parish Centre beginning at 8am.

Special guests for the event will include guidance counsellor Joanna Hamilton, Nurse J Camille King, a dance selection from the CTK Dance ministry, and the keynote speaker is John Darville, youth officer with the Ministry of Youth.

"Our chosen theme is a play on words because our teens love to use the term 'to put on blast'. We decided to take it and put a more positive and meaningful spin on it. We plan to exaggerate the rockets and space idea so guests will see a room with planets, stars, et cetera. It will definitely be a memorable, fun and meaningful day for all in attendance," said Odia Richardson, youth director.

Students, parents and teachers will have a fun morning filled with giveaways and surprises while treated to breakfast.

As the event is a prayer breakfast, clergy members will offer special prayers for those in attendance. The aim of the event, said Ms Richardson, is to prepare the students spiritually for the upcoming school term.

"Far too often the emphasis is placed on the material aspects of back to school - the bags, books. When it concerns our young people and they return to school ill-equipped to handle the many challenges that they face day to day on the school campus. Our intention is to arm them with tools, tips and ideas that can truly help them to launch them into their new school year successfully. In addition to the speakers there will be other resource persons available as well as material that can help parents for the new school term, brochures with information from a host of agencies will be available (healthy food suggestions, counselling services, drug and alcohol use etc.)," she said.

Ms Richardson welcomes parents and their children to attend the event, as attendees will hear from speakers who offer words of wisdom concerning how best to navigate the new school year.

"Our speakers are professionals in the field who can give sound advice on how to navigate through the year. They will share examples and dialogue on issues most relevant to parents.

"It is a free event and open to the general public and is a part of the church's community outreach exercises. We particularly want parents and students of Ridgeland Park community to attend. We want those in attendance to leave inspired, particularly our students. In September students and teachers are excited to start a new year. Unfortunately, that enthusiasm tends to fade after the first few days or at least by mid-term. We want our students to maintain that excitement throughout the year and hopefully this event will give them some of the tools to do that," she said.