Major Patrick Skeete
His passion for rendering service is as a result of the strong influence of teachers such as Col(Ret'd) Deighton Maynard and Mrs Dorien Pile who instilled in him the notion that there is always always something greater than self. Combermere for him was the complete experience ... extremely supportive classmates who made you want to come to school everyday, caring teachers who took time to talk to you about life, fascinating activities in the Cadet Corps and overall a good framework for developing strength of character. The sense of belonging which drives all of us Combermerians was highlighted by Patrick as a key element in all of this.
Besides Col Maynard, he has great admiration for Lt Col Trevor Browne, a former cadet of Combermere School who is currently Commandant of the Barbados Cadet Corps. . He describes Lt Col Browne in the following manner:" While others are still lingering at the crossroads wondering in which direction to go.. Lt Col Browne can be seen already some distance down the road holding a light for others to follow"
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Patrick Skeete attend Combermere from 1966 to 1975 where he came 1st in class every year up to 5th Form. From there he went on to be awarded the following Scholarships and Awards:
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Maj. Skeete has given yomen service through out the years to Combermermere and our communities in general and to the youth of Barbados in his role as a Teacher, Community worker and Cadet leader.
For his service to children he has bee awarded:
- 2005 - The Defence Board Commendation by Prime Minister Owen Arthur
- 2007 - The Dominica Cadet Corps highest honour - The Dominica Revival Medal - for service to the Dominica Cadet Corps.
- 2008 - The Caribbean Cadet Medal, the highest honour within the Caribbean Region. This medal was presented by the Governor-General of St Vincent on behalf of the Cadet Commandants of the region on Friday 25 Jul 08 in St Vincent..
SERVICE TO THE CARIBBEAN CADET CORPS/FORCES
- 1994 to present - Organized Potential Officers Courses and other training courses to train adult leaders of Caribbean Cadet Forces 1997, 2004 and 2007. Planned and executed Caribbean and International camps in Barbados.
- 1994, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2005 Represented the Barbados Cadet Corps at Commandants Conference held in other Caribbean countries.
- Assisted the Minister of Education of the Cayman Islands with the establishment of the Cayman Islands Cadet Corps.
- May 2007 and May 2008 Conceptualized, planned and executed a Train-the-Trainers programme in Dominica and St Vincent respectively with financial assistance from the Barbados Cadet Association Inc in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme.
- May 2008 - Was invited by the Government of Tortola to visit and meet with key stakeholders of their proposed Cadet Corps. He met with the Governor, Deputy Governor, Premier, Deputy Premier, Minister of Government, Principals, Teachers, Cadets in Tortola and also with persons in Virgin Gorda. He also was guest on two one hour television call-in programmes and also addressed two Rotary Clubs of Tortola.
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Commissioner of Police, Mr Reynell Fraser, presents Major Skeete with a plaque in appreciation of his role in the BVI
May 2006: Major Francis Richards of the Dominica Cadet Corps presents the Dominica Cadet Corps Revival Medal to Major Patrick Skeete.
Governor-General of St Vincent and the Grenadines presents Major Skeete with the Caribbean Cadet Medal.
SERVICE TO LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS
- 2000 - Designed a training programme for the training of Parish Ambassador in the Community Independence Celebrations division of the Prime Minister's office. This program is still in effect today.
- 2004 to present - Lectures on Protocal and Etiquette to the Toastmasters, Church
groups, Barbados Professional Women?s club and other groups.
PUBLICATIONS / VIDEO PRODUCTIONS
- 1995 to present - Conceptualized and published 'The Blue Beret', a colorful,
newsletter advertising activities and achievements of the Barbados Cadet Corps
and capturing them for posterity. - Co-author of the Barbados Cadet Corps Strategic Development Plan 2001 to 2011.
- 1994 to present - Produced a video of Cadet Corps activities annually especially for the benefit of participants at the Principals' Conference normally held in November.
- 2005 - Worked with Saffire Productions to create a Cadet Corps Video covering the Barbados Cadet Corps' summer camps in St Lucia and St Vincent entitled 'Connecting with our Caribbean neighbours' which was televised on Barbados Independence Day, 30 November 2006.
- 2006 - Collaborated again with Saffire Productions on a Cadet Corps video on Disaster Preparedness which was again shown on Independence Day 2006.
- 2007 - Collaborated with the Barbados Cadet Association Inc. and Merville
Lynch Productions to produce two half hour video on the International Cadet
Challenge Camp held in Barbados in July 2007 which was shown on
Television in Barbados at Independence time 2007 and also throughout the
Caribbean on Caribvision.
BOOKS
- 1999 - Co-author of a 'Handbook for Officer' a reference book for officers of the Barbados Cadet Corps and officers of other regional Cadet Corps. Forces.
- 2004 - Author of
- 'The Combermere Cadet', a 160 page book on the 100 -
year history of the Combermere School Cadet unit.
INTERESTS
- Empowering other youth organizations through the use of Cadet Corps activities which are applicable to cadets and civilians alike.
- Documenting the history of the Barbados Cadet Corps for future generations.
- Keeping the flame of Combermere School burning brightly ever.