To mark the commencement of the 2014-15 academic year, the faculty and students of the COMPREHENSIVE LEARNING CENTRE – (CLC), celebrated with the St. Gerard’s Catholic Church community on Sunday 12 October 2014. Over 75 students and lecturers joined with the church community to invite God’s presence among them throughout the academic year, while asking the Holy Spirit to be their Guide, their Strength and their Source of Perseverance as they aim for success. The CLC‘s theme for the church service was taken from 1 Thessalonians 5:11, “Therefore, encourage one another and build one another up.”
During the church service, Business Studies Associates Degree student, Mr Henderson Burgess read the second lesson from Philippians 4: 12-20, while the Manager of the CLC, Mrs. Sandra York Gumbs gave a brief history of the Centre.
Mrs. York Gumbs noted that the CLC, Anguilla’s forward-thinking private institution is committed to providing quality learning experiences which will enhance the educational, social and economic needs of the learner and, ultimately, the community of Anguilla.
She articulated that The CLC, where innovative learning experiences produce tremendous success commenced its operations in January 2002 offering 2 CXC subjects Math & English and taught Computer Application Skills.
Twelve years later the Comprehensive Learning Centre offers 18 CXC subjects – 9 at the CSEC level and 9 at the CAPE level, along with 3 Associate degree programmes. Additionally, the Centre offers the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) programme, QuickBooks, Computer Applications Programmes, Adult Literacy and also provides consultancy services for businesses including customer care programmes, English for Business Communications, Effective Communication and Influencing Skills. Non- English speaking students are not ignored as English as a Second Language is provided for speakers of other languages and over the years Spanish, French, Italian, German and Chinese nationals have all benefitted from the Centre’s excellent ESL Programmes. Classes in Math and English are also offered for the Junior High students.
The church community was also told about 3 specifically designed sponsored programmes unique to the CLC, namely the ‘Know Your Community Elders’, ‘Taking the LEAD’, and the ‘Beautiful Girls’ programmes.
Key to the heart and existence of the CLC, is the manner in which the lecturers create a nurturing environment where coaching forms part of the curriculum and where the students embrace their second chance to build on their foundation.
The Manager disclosed that well over 1800 learners have already been the beneficiaries of the various courses offered at The CLC and some 17 qualified professionals provide the knowledge, guidance and understanding required to ensure that CLC’s students succeed. She said, “We recognise that we are responsible for more than just academic enrichment. We are cognisant that if we are to be great educators, we must connect with our students, reach them on multiple levels, and be true influential role models. We recognise that we are part of the humanitarian crew given the mandate to engage in human capacity building and therefore we take our tasks seriously.”
The manager thanked Fr Paul, the priest of the St. Gerard’s Roman Catholic Church and the members of the congregation for hosting them and asked them to keep the faculty and students in prayer.
– Contributed
(Published without editing by The Anguillian newspaper.)
