NPTA Holds Third Annual Awards Ceremony

The National Parents Teachers Association (NPTA) held its third annual awards ceremony on Tuesday, 1^st September 2026.  The ceremony was held at the Christian Assembly Ministries, Paynters.

The NPTA recognizes the need to recognize teachers – in both private and public schools – as well as students who performed exceptionally well in the Grade VI National Assessment and Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) exams.

This year’s winners were:

Parent of the Year 

• Anesta Augustin-Edwards - Seventh Day Adventist Primary (Private)

• Claudette Browne - T. N. Kirnon Primary (Public/Primary)

• Damian Tonge - Irene B. Williams Secondary (Public/Secondary)

• Ady Byrne – St. Joseph’s Academy Secondary (Private)

Student of the Year

• Caleb Jeremiah – Seventh Day Adventist Primary (Private)

• Olivia Nicholas – Old Road Primary (Public/Primary)

• Jahlisha Michael – Irene B. Williams Secondary (Public/Secondary)

• Amari Cornelius – St. Joseph’s Academy Secondary (Private)

Teacher of the Year

• Ms. Bernadette Atkin – New Bethel SDA Primary (Private)

• Mr. Kevin Scott – Golden Grove Primary (Public/Primary)

• Mr. Tijah Myers – Irene B. Williams Secondary (Public/Secondary)

• Mr. Ellis Southwell – St. Joseph’s Academy Secondary (Private)

President, Alister Thomas, welcomed invited guests as well as awardees to the evening’s proceedings.  During his address he urged for greater collaboration between schools’ administration, Ministry of Education and the NPTA to advance the business of education in Antigua and Barbuda.  He also informed the gathering that the NPTA Awards was the first of its kind in the Caribbean.

The charge was delivered by Mrs. Rita Phillip-Harris, who incidentally was the winner of the Parent of the Year (Private Secondary School 2025).

The NPTA is cognizant that such an event would not be possible without the generous support of corporate Antigua and Barbuda, as well as concerned parents, and of course, members of the NPTA.  The following sponsors are hereby acknowledged for their role in making the event the success that it was:

• Julees Restaurant

• Sign Pro

• Falmouth Harbour Marina

• Antigua Masonry Products

• Wadadli Events Services

• Hadeed Group of Companies

• Velvet Touch

• Anjo Wholesale

• Christo’s Supermarket

• Go To

• Townhouse Megastore

• Crabb Hole Liquors

• Gloria’s Supermarket

• Newsco Limited (Observer Radio)

• ABS Television

• Photogenesis Imaging

• Stingray City

• Jay’s Karaoke

• Tropical Adventures

• Lasoza Events

• JCM Jewelry

• SAC Stationery Art/Craft All in One

• Harpers

• Paper Clips 

• Flower World