‘No more dust!’ - Sir Clifford Campbell Primary gets playground makeover

After years of battling dust clouds and limited outdoor recreation, students and staff at Sir Clifford Campbell Primary School in Westmoreland are finally enjoying a long-awaited transformation.

A newly rehabilitated play area has been officially handed over to the school, thanks to the collaborative efforts of the Bluefields Foundation and Project STAR. For years, the school's dusty, unpaved grounds posed a constant nuisance--especially during dry, windy weather. But now, those challenges have been replaced with greenery, smooth pavement, and renewed excitement.

"This means a lot," said principal Natalie Hamilton. "For years we were struggling with the dust. When the place was dry and windy, we ate dust -- everything was dust. Now, the children are enjoying the space to the max. It feels like a rebirth. It's new, it's fresh, and this is the only area they have to play."

Located in Savanna-la-Mar, the school has served the community for nearly six decades. Once known as St Mary's Academy, the school was renamed to honour Jamaica's first Governor-General and now enrolls approximately 440 students.

Alongside the new paved surface, the area now includes lush plants and shade trees, providing both beauty and comfort. The revamped space is already making a visible difference. With cleaner surroundings and a more inviting outdoor area, physical education classes have become a joy rather than a chore.

"Before, teachers were hesitant to go out because of the dust. Now they are willing, the students are happy in their PE (physical education) uniforms, and events like Jamaica Day feel healthier and more vibrant," Hamilton said. The community, too, is breathing easier--literally and figuratively.

"The tagline is now 'no more dust'," Hamilton joked. "One parent said, 'At least I won't have to take my daughter to the doctor so many times.' Even our staff, half of whom were once down with the flu because of the dust, are healthier now."

The play area upgrade, valued at more than $8.4 million, was funded through the Rita Adrosko Trust and spearheaded by the Bluefields Foundation. Debbie Moncure, the chairman of the foundation, said the initiative is about dignity and opportunity.

"We believe every child deserves a safe, healthy space to play and grow. Supporting this project with Project STAR aligns perfectly with our values," Moncure said.

"Seeing the joy on the children's faces and hearing the impact from the school community reinforces why partnerships like this matter."

Project STAR, which focuses on revitalising underserved communities, also expressed pride in the partnership.

"This is exactly the kind of transformation we strive for," said Clayton Parchment, chair of the Project STAR Community Transformation Board in Savanna-la-Mar.

"The new play area not only supports the health and well-being of the students but also fosters a stronger learning environment."