When Bella Emmanuel wheeled through the gates of the Castries Comprehensive Secondary School (CCSS) in 2024, she did so quietly, proudly dressed in her new uniform and carrying the weight of both academic promise and physical challenges. 

Two years later, the once shy Form One student that we knew is no more. Bella has grown into a confident, socially engaged young woman who is steadily finding her voice, both in the classroom and on stage.

Now 13 years old and in her second term of Form Two, Bella continues her secondary school journey as a wheelchair user in an environment that has embraced inclusion as a practice rather than a slogan.

Bella first captured national attention after earning a place at CCSS through her strong performance in the 2024 Caribbean Primary Exit Assessment (CPEA). The former Ave Maria Girls’ Primary School student secured an overall score of 79 across language, mathematics, science, and social studies. At the time, her mother, Luciana Auguste, expressed pride in her daughter’s achievement while crediting the teachers who helped shape Bella’s academic foundation.

On January 14, St Lucia Times visited the Castries Comprehensive campus. It was a visit that revealed just how much Bella has grown since that first day.

“She’s not shy anymore,” one staff member said with a smile, a sentiment echoed by this reporter who has followed Bella and the challenges she faced since 2023. Bella herself confirms it.

Despite being wheelchair bound, Bella is actively involved in school life and refuses to allow her physical limitations to define her experience. She participates in several extracurricular activities, but it is music that has captured her heart.

“I’m in Red Cross, arts club, a lot of clubs, but the one I enjoy most is the choir,” Bella shared.

Her love for singing has extended beyond the school compound, with Bella taking part in choir competitions and showcases outside of CCSS. It is a space where she feels confident, expressive, and fully included. 

Academically, Bella remains self-aware and motivated.

“Well, I like all the subjects, but I’m having a little hard time with math,” she admitted, reflecting the mindset of a student determined to improve rather than settle.

For Bella, the school day does not begin and end at the classroom door. The Rose Hill resident faces daily transportation hurdles that require compassion, teamwork, and goodwill. According to the school’s officials, Bella is gently assisted onto the bus by her fellow students, who lift her with care, while her wheelchair is folded and placed at the back of the vehicle. On days when a bus is unable to accommodate her, teachers refuse to let circumstances stand in the way of her education, personally ensuring she gets home safely.

Mobility across the school compound is a common concern for parents of students with physical disabilities, but Bella has found both independence and support. She relies on her upper body strength to manoeuvre her wheelchair and is quick to credit her peers, who she says help her get around.

The Castries Comprehensive Secondary School is equipped with a ramp and inclusive infrastructure, and Bella is not the only wheelchair user currently enrolled. According to Vice Principal Anne Giffard Elcock, the school has long been committed to ensuring that no student is excluded because of physical limitations.

“Bella is not our first student to join us in a wheelchair,” Elcock explained. “Fortunately, we already have a ramp, which allows her to move from one point to the other.”

As Bella transitioned from Form One to Form Two, logistical challenges emerged due to classrooms located in areas accessible only by stairs. Rather than limiting subject options, the school adjusted.

“When classes are on the business block where there are stairs, we rotate the classes,” Elcock said. “We reshuffle rooms to ensure students like Bella have access. A child is not banned from doing a subject because they have no access.”

Elcock described Bella as well integrated into school life and highly sociable among her peers.

“If you go into her homeroom, Bella is the life of the party,” she said. “She’s shy in new settings, but with her classmates, she’s very confident. Even attitude she gives the students sometimes.”

Beyond physical accommodation, CCSS has strengthened its approach to inclusive education by assigning a special needs teacher, along with additional teaching support. Approximately 25 students currently benefit from the programme, including Bella.

“Our goal is to bridge learning gaps so students are not left behind,” Elcock said. “We focus not only on academics but on the holistic development of the child.”

For Bella, that holistic approach is making a difference. From a quiet first day in Form One to confidently singing on stage and navigating school life with determination, her journey reflects what is possible when inclusion is intentional and community-driven.

As she continues to grow, Bella’s story stands as a reminder that access, support, and belief can transform not just school experiences, but lives.