Bishop’s College celebrates Panorama hat-trick with timely Courts backing 

By Admin. Updated 4:05 p.m., Monday, June 29, 2026, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4). 

The celebrations continue at Bishop’s College after Courts Bishop’s College Fusion captured the Schools title at the 2026 Junior Panorama competition, securing an historic third consecutive championship and reinforcing the school’s reputation as one of the country’s leading steelpan programmes.

The school claimed victory on Sunday night at Independence Park with an impressive performance of Dance with Me Again by Winston Soso, earning 215 points to top the Schools category of the competition, which was staged under the theme, “Pan Mus Play: Family Circle”.

Speaking exclusively with One News SVG on Monday, Principal Insa Prince-Duncan described the achievement as a source of immense pride for the entire school community.

“As with any other competition, winning is the goal,” she said. “The entire school community is extremely happy for this win, particularly as it represents a hat-trick for BCK Steel Fusion.”

Prince-Duncan noted that this year’s championship was especially significant because of the youthful composition of the band.

“This year’s players are relatively young. The captain, Alyque Browne, is a First Form student and they are excited,” she said.

Despite the demands of Panorama preparation, the principal said the school ensured that rehearsals never compromised students’ academic commitments.

“Pan at BCK is an after-school programme,” she explained. “We have pan training a couple days per week throughout the entire school year and training never goes beyond 4:30 p.m. During examination periods the students are given a break to focus on their exams and then pick up again once exams are completed.”

A major factor behind this year’s campaign was sponsorship support from Courts St Vincent Ltd⁠, which Prince-Duncan described as both timely and transformative.

“We have been participating consistently in Junior Panorama and have not received any assistance at all,” she said. “The sponsorship is timely and deeply appreciated as it eased the pressure off the school’s finances.”

According to the principal, the partnership provided more than financial support.

“The value of the decision of Courts St Vincent Ltd to align their brand with BCK Steel Fusion goes beyond money. It was a confidence booster for the team and inspired the players to push harder as representatives of the Courts brand. This provided the extra drive needed to secure the win.”

She added that the school hopes to build a long-term relationship with the company.

Prince-Duncan also underscored the broader developmental value of steelpan and cultural programmes for young people.

“Participating in high-visibility activities such as Junior Panorama cultivates a sense of pride among the players,” she said. “Cultural spaces frequently uncover latent leadership skills in students who may not normally participate in sports or other club activities.”

She said the programme also strengthens relationships among students and with instructor Kingsley “Hero” Roberts while fostering “a profound sense of institutional belonging and relational equity that anchors them safely to the school community”.

The principal reserved special praise for Roberts, parents, supporters and the school’s Board of Governors for sustaining what she described as a flagship programme.

“None of this would have been accomplished without him,” she said of the veteran pan instructor.

She also thanked parents for encouraging students during difficult moments and supporters for believing in the band’s potential.

With the celebrations still fresh, Bishop’s College is already looking ahead.

“We aim for the four-peat in 2027,” Prince-Duncan declared.

The Schools category of the 2026 competition also featured St Mary’s Roman Catholic School, which finished second with 208.5 points for its rendition of I Want Soca by Beckett, while C.W. Prescott Primary School placed third on 192 points with Mind Your Pickney by Touch.

The event, sponsored by VINLEC also saw Starlift Steel Orchestra capture the Community Bands title with 268 points for its performance of Baila Sanka by Exodus. 

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