The Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School held its first Parent Teachers’ Association meeting on the afternoon of Tuesday, September 22nd, at the Rodney MacArthur Rey Auditorium. In general, the meeting set out to focus on the need for students’ proper attendance, punctuality and acceptable attitude to the learning environment.
Further, it was stipulated that children be given proper nutrition before coming to school, and that parents ensure a healthy breakfast is served instead of their children having to buy greasy food and sweet drinks — at the vendor on the school grounds — for breakfast.
In addition, the subject of proper uniform was addressed. Children’s shoes should be black — and no uppers. They must wear the specified uniform at all times. Boys must wear a black belt which must be a tight enough to keep the pants on the waistline — and not below. The school crest must be always worn on the shirt, and the hair must be properly groomed. Girls are allowed to wear braided hair but no lower than shoulder length, and their skirts must be properly pleated.
The Principal addressed the parents, stating: “I welcome you to what we consider as quite an awesome school. We are endeavouring to build our school on the principles of personalised learning, strong teacher-student relationships, positive behaviour support, the development of lifelong skills, and parental involvement. I consider you as involved parents, so please give yourselves a round of applause.” Reinforcing parental involvement, she said: “Parental involvement is important to us, and should be important to you as well.”
Continuing to deliberate, she claimed: “Our school has a distinct vision and a mission which is emblazoned at the entrance of all our six sites. This school serves the vast majority of our children. Almost every single child from 12 years old to 17 years old will pass through these doors, so this is a school that we should take pride in — and treasure. We all know the good that this school stands for and so we should promote the virtues of the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School in our communities.”
The respective teachers of each class made presentations that explained the nature of their lessons and the tools —
particularly textbooks — which will be required for the students to successfully complete their classes. Emphasis was placed on the “banding” system, and it was noted that students who might be in Band 1 for one or two subjects may be in Band 3 or Band 4 for others. And it was stressed that if students are diligent enough to work hard, they can be promoted from Band 4 to Band 2 or even Band 1. At the same time, students in Band 1 who do not perform well can be demoted to Band 3 or 4. All teachers stressed the importance of an acceptable, positive attitude on the part of the students and a willingness to learn.
While all subject areas were allotted their due weight of importance, emphasis was placed on English at the Caribbean Certificate of Secondary Level Competence (CCSLC) standard. It was stipulated that every child who attends ALHCS must complete the CCSLC Programme. Students in Bands 1 and 2 will complete the programmme in year 3, while students in Band 3 and 4 will complete the programmme in Year 5. It was explained that the CCSLC course is in two parts: The final exam is a multiple choice test worth 50% of the overall grade for the course, while the module assessments, completed in class, account for the other 50%. While the teachers encourage students to aim to pass as high as possible, it is essential that students pass with a minimum of 50% overall. This does not only apply to CCSLC English, but all other subject areas as well.
It was noted that the CCSLC curriculum is competency based and encompasses the knowledge, skills, attitudes, values and attributes expected of high school graduates by regional governments. There are five modules of study for CCSLC English: Windows to the World 1; Searching and Sharing; Speaking Up and Speaking Out; Windows to the World 2; and The World of Work. These modules carry themes which relate closely to life skills and general knowledge which children can apply in school and outside of school.
By way of information, the following upcoming events were announced: World Teachers’ Day – October 5th; Teachers’ Appreciation Day – October 7th; Inter-house Volleyball Contest – October 16th; Sixth Form Graduation – October 26th; Year Five Graduation – October 27th, Mid-term Break from October 28th to October 30th; Inter-house Football Competition – November 3rd; Science Fair from November 23rd to November 27th; and Speech Night – December 10th.
It was stressed that all teachers and parents encourage their students to grasp the acronym VIBES — by adopting the values in the following terms: value learning; innovation; responsibility; respect; and resilience.
A special feature of the PTA was a poem written, and recited, by Dr. Lindel Brookes which addressed the challenges which teachers encounter and the apparent lack of appreciation for what they endure. He portrayed teachers as labourers in a forest. He referred to the act of teaching and learning as soil; and he pictured the successful students as oaks which are cultivated and supported by the soil of that teaching and learning process. The last lines of the poem go: “We support you teachers. You’re the labourers of the forest — the committed; the hated yet passionate and undaunting; sometimes labourers few, but for the truth you’re always loved.”
– Staff Reporter, James R. Harrigan
