On February 11, 2026, the Wellesley Gunter Preparatory School entered a new digital era with the opening of the Shelkett Learning Hub. The modern lab represents a triumph of faith and international partnership over significant financial hurdles, transitioning from a vision by former principal Mr. Lackett Cuff to a reality under the current principal, Mr. Everett Sutherland.
The road to the ribbon-cutting service was paved with uncertainty as Mr. Cuff recalled the daunting task of envisioning a JMD $3 million facility with no secured funding in sight.
“In 2023, we had a dream that we would construct a computer lab to aid with the digital trajectory of our students and staff," Mr. Cuff shared. "But we woke up the following morning and discovered that the dream was only a nightmare because we never had an idea as to where the money would come from.”
The "nightmare" ended when staff member Ms. Judith Blackwood reached out to her grand-niece in Canada, Ms. Shelka Eccleston. Stepping in as the project's cornerstone, Ms. Eccleston donated CAD3,000 for construction and later shipped 13 Acer Aspire computers with accessories, totaling CAD6,000.
Workstations inside the newly opened Shelkett Learning Hub :: Photo credit: Contributed
Today, the hub boasts 13 workstations, a dedicated instructor station, full air conditioning, and high-speed networking. For Keynote Speaker and Board Chairman, Pastor Stephen Drummond, these tools are not luxuries but necessities for survival in a modern learning environment. Pastor Drummond is Education Director of the West Jamaica Conference.
“The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot adapt to the changes. In order to navigate the challenges of this life, you have to learn how to adapt to technology or be left behind.” Pastor Drummond stated. “I want to commend the visionaries, the staff and Ms. Eccleston for ensuring that we can have a computer lab to begin to train these young minds how to use technology.”
The students were elated with the new space. Headboy Micah Fasey spoke of his peers' eagerness to learn within such a structured and modern environment.
“This lab will improve our computer literacy and allow for a structured way of learning because it is supervised by our teachers. It will be a vital space for easier collaboration and sharing resources among students, as we move forward into the world of technology,” he expressed.
Students diving into a world of digital possibilities as they engage with brand-new laptop computers in the recently opened Shelkett Learning Hub :: Photo credit: Contributed
While the ceremony was a celebration of how far the school has come, Principal Sutherland reminded the attendees that the digital path is an ongoing mission.
“As we seek to further enhance the learning experience of our students and lead them into the digital world, we are still in need of several essential items, which include a printer, scanner, UPS systems, a projector, and specialized educational software." Mr. Sutherland added.
"I believe these resources will significantly enhance our students' ability to research, create, and engage with digital content, ultimately improving their academic outcomes. We would welcome and appreciate any support in addressing these needs.”
The ribbon-cutting at Wellesley Gunter Preparatory was a historic milestone, turning a distant dream into a reality. Thanks to Ms. Eccleston, the West Jamaica Conference Transforming Lives Foundation, and many other contributors.