The Workshop Initiative Secondary Education (WISE) is the technical campus of the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School (ALHCS). This institution exists to offer competency-based and work-based education to students who are underachieving academically at the main ALHCS campuses due to low Reading Age, low attendance to subject classes and their performance in technical and creative subjects. These students are afforded the opportunity to achieve success in a skill-based programme for integration into the world of work.
WISE provides students the opportunity to learn basic skills in the following technical areas: Building Technology (Construction), Engine Repair and Auto Mechanics, Electrical Installation, Hospitality and Culinary Arts, Carpentry, and Construction Design. Students are actively engaged in formative and summative assessments that provide evidence of their competency in each subject offering. WISE also offers instruction in four academic subjects – Mathematics, English, Integrated Science and Social Studies – that are assessed by a competency-based examination (Caribbean Certificate of Secondary Level Competence – CCSLC) offered by the Caribbean Examination Council. In addition, students also benefit from the Reading Intervention Programme, Personal Social Health Education (PSHE), Counselling (individual and group) Information Technology, Agricultural Science (Gardening) and Physical Education.
The Staff and students hosted Open Day on March 25th, 2021, from 7:30am to 1:00pm at their present location in Stoney Ground, in the former Roger’s Soda Factory building. The day commenced with a Certificate Award Ceremony where invited guests, parents, students and other stakeholders received a warm welcome from the new Coordinator, Mrs. Cynthia Gumbs. Brief remarks were brought by Hon. Dee-Ann Kentish-Rogers, Minister of Social Development, Mr. Bren Romney, CEO Department of Education, Mrs. Rita Celestine-Carty, Principal, ALHCS; and Mr. Feliciano James, Coordinator, TVET.
Students presently enrolled at WISE were presented with Certificates of Achievement, Improvement and Participation in all course offerings, along with Sportsmen awards. All received resounding applauses from a very attentive and appreciative audience. After the ceremony, attendees were provided with a tour of the facility where they were met by the teachers who provided information on the courses and given the opportunity to view students’ work and projects, some of which were on sale to the public.
The highlight of the morning was a kite flying competition that featured kites built by the students. The winners were: Jacorey Fleming and Shane Fleming – Most Creative Kite, T’awn Richardson, Jacorey Fleming and Shane Flemming – Largest Kite, and Francis Tapia – Smallest Kite. The event was graced by Her Excellency The Governor, Ms. Dileeni Daniel-Selvaratnam, Hon. Deputy Governor, Mr. Perin Bradley, and all of the Ministers of Government. Their presence was a delight for the students and drew much appreciation from the staff and other guests. Open Day 2021 culminated with the sale of a luncheon that received high reviews.
Mrs. Cynthia Gumbs expressed her deep appreciation to her staff for the collaborative teamwork that resulted in what has been reported as “an impressive” Open Day. The general public is welcome to visit and learn more about this institution. There are still several project pieces that are available for sale and the funds raised will be reinvested into the programme. Mrs. Gumbs stated that WISE is not a school for “at risk students” based on society’s definition. Rather it is for students who are unable to cope in the ‘academic’ system at ALHCS Campus A, but gravitate to a skill-based programme that has, over the years, produced many success stories. Students graduate with a hands-on experience that makes them employable and also provides them the opportunity to further their education. Although tradesmen and women may seemingly have little value in the eyes of many, a thriving society builds on trades. No society can exist without quality tradesmen/women. Guided by this truth we work to erase the stigma and bring honour to this institution that exists to educate Anguilla’s future labour force to be WISE.
– Submitted by Mrs. Cynthia Gumbs, Coordinator, WISE Anguilla
