Robotics, animation and chess are just some of the activities students at Northlands Primary have been enjoying thanks to a grant donated to the school by Axis Capital.

Some 13 different enrichment clubs were created as a result of the $5,000 donation and up to 170 children at the school will benefit.

The club themes were chosen as a tribute to Kenneth “Smokey” Thompson, an alumni of Northlands and well-known ambassador for Bermuda who passed away in May last year.

Axis Capital was approached by the Bermuda Education Network for the funding with a view to creating the tribute.

Other activities included audio mixing, IT, swimming, photography, Spanish and cookery and as part of the tribute to Mr Thompson, themes of hospitality were integrated into each club.

Executive director for the Bermuda Education Network Becky Ausenda said that Mr Thompson was known to support families on the Island.

Ms Ausenda said: “Smokey was an amazing Bermuda character — he was a taxi driver for 40 years and got to meet lots of famous people.

“We wanted to include some themes of hospitality and teach the children how to be good ambassadors for Bermuda and to be nice to visitors. I think it is increasingly important as a community to start talking to children about hospitality, especially with the America’s Cup coming.”

Axis Capital CEO Albert Benchimol told Ms Ausenda that they are keen to fund the programme again next year and BEN will help Northlands to develop the curriculum and focus on teaching them more about hospitality. Mr Benchimol said: “We’re happy to support the work being done at Northlands Primary to create additional opportunities for children and we’re particularly happy that this gives us the opportunity to honour our former friend and colleague, Kenneth ‘Smokey’ Thompson.”

Principal Charles Joynes added: “Our teachers love to have the opportunity to do creative activities with kids and it was an important part of our school improvement plan to carve out some dedicated space on the timetable.”

The school is one of several primary schools that have chosen to dedicate one afternoon a week. Ms Ausenda added: “BEN’s goal is to find support from the private sector which helps schools to reach beyond the limits of their allocated resources. We’re very pleased to have been able to contribute to this great initiative.”