PRINCIPAL’S REPORT

Ms. Sylvia Findlay

It is for me a pleasant duty to present the Principal’s Report for the academic year ending 27th June, 2003.

The school year commenced on Monday 2nd September, 2002 with the routine activities associated with the start of any school year. Nothing that happened in the first week or two of the school year seemed to suggest that the academic year 2002 - 2003 was going to be hectic, so challenging so frustrating, yet so rewarding.

The student enrolment stood at 611. 139 first formers, 173 in form 2, 111 third formers, 116 in form 4 and 72 5th form students. To cater for these 611 students who were this year were offered 12 subjects at the first and third form levels, 11 at the second form and 19 different subject areas (including those done at the Campden Park Multi-Purpose Centre) at the 4th and 5th form levels, there was a compliment of 36 teachers (including Principal and Deputy Principal). Please note that 4th and 5th formers did 7, 8 & 9 of the 19 subjects offered – depending on the grouping selected.

When the teaching staff reported for duties at the commencement of the Professional Development Week 2002 – (August 26 – 30), we had lost the following colleagues: Mrs Corraine Charles, Ms. Nedra Cruickshank, Mr. Desmond Dennie, Mr. Kent Dennie, Ms. Vasilka Hull, Mr. Junior Jack, Ms. Lynette Layne and Ms. Malika Muhammed. They were replaced by Mr. Hermon Cummings, Mr. Wesley Dowers, Ms. Josette Greaves, Ms. Jenelle James, Mrs. Myrtle James, Ms. Megan Minnick (Peace Corp Volunteer) and her local assistant, Ms. Kristina Noel, Mr. Gerwin Pompey, Ms. Cornice Phillips, Mrs. Ava Robertson, Mr. Michael Scott and Mr. Keron Stewart. After almost a year without a deputy, we had Ms. Alinda Hypolite appointed to the post. A case of good things coming to those who wait. We waited and we are pleased to have Ms. Hypolite.

There were also changes to the ancillary staff. Mr. Ronald Greaves replaced Ms. Emoline Browne as Office Attendant and there was an entirely new staff in the Tuck-shop.

By the start of the 2nd term, Mr. Brian Nash joined the staff to fill the vacancy created by Ms. Cornice Phillips who had resigned to pursue a military career in the United Kingdom. Ms. Gailene Weekes had replaced Mr. Ali LaBorde as Security Officer and Mrs. Caroline Hazell was appointed to fill the post of Caretaker. Ms. Nathalie Sampson who had been the School Secretary from January 2002 was transferred in January 2003 to the Government House.

It would be remiss of me not to mention the tremendous contribution of Ms. Delise Jones who was assigned to the School as part of the Youth Empowerment Service Programme and had worked along as Ms. Sampson’s assistant, was able to hold the fort admirably until Mrs. Rosmond Simmons was appointed as the School Secretary 2003. Mrs. Simmons in the short stint has already proven to be a quick learner and is very capable. I hope that she stays with us for a long time.

Early in the year, we had cause to rejoice when two (2) of the 97 students who graduated last year received 8 passes at the 2002 CXC Examination. Sabrina Richards and Jenine DeFreitas had lived up to their teachers expectations – Sabrina was last year’s valedictorian.

It is difficult to pinpoint what our greatest successes were this past year since we performed well in Sports, in the Young Leaders Programme, in the National Science Fair, as well as in a number of co-curricular activities. As a school we have not just waited on competition to involve our students in meaningful activities but rather we have been proactive in our approach and have organized a variety of successful in-house programmes.

During Term 1, we organized a Reading Competition for Forms 1- 4 to commemorate Reading Month. In October, activities were organized to mark the Nation’s 23rd anniversary of political independence. A mock Parliamentary Debate was held in November as our contribution to Tourism Month 2002.

In Term 2, while the focus was on sports we were able to organize an internal Science Exhibition from which the best exhibits were then entered in the National Science Fair. In addition, we concluded yet another successful celebration of Black History Month.

Following is a list of our major achievements this past year (2002 – 2003).

SPORTS

1. Inter-Secondary School Soccer Champions 2002 – Harley Skerritt – MVP of the Finals, our team’s goal-keeper.

2. 2nd place in Senior Division of the Inter-Secondary School Netball Championship; 4th place in the Junior Division.

3. While we failed to place in the under-19 Cricket – Harley Skerritt scored most runs in the tournament. The team was adjudged the Teacher’s Credit Union under 15 – most disciplined team. Asroy Mayers – Captain – Most outstanding wicket keeper.

4. Athletics: 14 records were broken at our Inter-House Athletics meet:

- Joylyn Parris – Junior Champion – (went on to be the National Junior

Girls Champion).

- Shaka Clasp - Junior Boys Champion

- Andy Codougan our Senior Boys Champion. Andy Codougan was the Inter-Secondary School’s Victor Ludorum.

- 1st – Junior Girls and Senior Boys Division

- 2nd – Junior Boys and Senior Girls Division

- 3rd – Intermediate Girls Division

- Overall – Boys placed THIRD.

- Our girls were crowned champions of the Inter-Secondary School Athletics 2003.

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5. Representative team in the Cable and Wireless National Netball won both the knock-out and round-robin categories.

6. Table Tennis – 2nd under 16 – Eldin Francois.

- 1st under 19 – Kerry Pierre. Kerry Pierre and Keston Webb are the

present under 19 doubles champs; while Kamal Hunte was

recognized as the Most Promising Player.

7. Digicel Inter-Secondary Schools Basketball male team made it to the quarter finals. The Female Team achieved third place; it was their first time in the tournament.

8. The Bethel High School won in both categories it entered in the E.C.G.C. Home Economics Competition.

9. We placed third in the Essay Competition organized by the National Society for Persons With Disabilities, and first place in the Post Card Contest organized by the Ministry of Tourism during Tourism Month 2002.

10. Best Project in the National Science Fair.

11. Winner of the 2003 RBTT – UNDP Young Leaders Project and received an Award of Honour in the regional leg of the competition. They were the only group to enter the cultural component of the Fisherman’s Day Activities.

12. Through efforts of the Young Leaders group, a School Co-operative has been re-activated.

13. Bethel High School Heritage Club was formed during Black History Month.

14. Continued programme of preparing students for the job market. Assistance came from Mr. Jules Ferdinand, Mr. Albert Porter and the Department of Labour as well as 14 government departments, statutory bodies and private sector institutions.

15. Cindy Dunbar placed third in the Junior Calypso Competition in the Secondary Schools Category.

It has not by any means been an easy road to success and as a staff we are still concerned about the academic performance of all of our students – too many students are satisfied with mediocrity. Students’ attitude to study, in particular towards homework; general conduct and deportment have to be improved. Parental guidance and control are too of the apparent root causes for a number of the problems faced by the students, and ultimately the school.

In our deliberations at the end of the term, the staff discussed strategies to deal with the foregoing especially academic achievement. Provided most of us are on staff next year, we believe that we can and we will achieve some degree of success in this regard.

BETHEL HIGH SCHOOL

SPORTS REPORT FOR 2002 – 2003

The year under review was both a memorable and successful one for the Bethel High School.

INTER-SECONDARY SCHOOL FOOTBALL

It all started when our soccer team was crowned Inter-Secondary School champions, after defeating the Emmanuel High School 4-3 on penalty kicks in the Finals at the Victoria Park.

The team played eight matches: won six, drew one and lost one.

Special mention must be made of a number of players for their outstanding and consistent performances:

  1. Brenton Ottley for his inspiration to the team and for scoring a total of 13 goals during the tournament.

  1. The captain, Winston Sam for his exemplary behaviour, attitude and leadership.

  1. Ricardon Gordon, Kelvin Yorke and Jabneel Springer for the tight reign they held on the defence.

  1. Harley Skerritt for the swift pace at which he learned the skills of goal keeping. One will always remember him saving four penalty kicks in the Finals, which earned him the Most Valuable Player of the Finals.

INTER-SECONDARY SCHOOL NETBALL

Our School participated in both the Junior and Senior divisions of the Inter-Secondary School championship. Our Junior team was the defending champion. We were, however, defeated by Bishop’s College, Kingstown in the Semi-finals. It is interesting to note that the (school) Troumaca Secondary which eventually won the Championship, was badly beaten by our team in the preliminary round. Our goal shooter, Ceana Gordon, scored the most goals in that division of the championship.

The Senior Netball team played unbeaten until we were defeated by the

St. Joseph Convent Marriaqua in the Finals.

NATIONAL NETBALL

A representative team participated in the Cable and Wireless National Netball Championship. The team was placed in the Third Division. Our team emerged winners in both the round robin and knock-out categories.

Our captain Kadisha John was named the Most Valuable Player of the team.

BASKETBALL

We participated in both the male and female divisions of the Digicel Inter-Schools Basket-ball championship.

The male team made it to the quarter-finals but was defeated by Adelphi Secondary School, who eventually emerged Secondary School Champions.

Special mention must be made of Kerry Pierre and Arnaldo Pierre for their consistent performance.

The female team placed third from a field of five (5) participating schools. Maurelle Cupid was very outstanding and seems to be a good prospect for future development.

CRICKET

UNDER 19 CRICKET

A representative cricket team participated in the (Under 19) United Insurance Secondary Schools Cricket Championship. We did not have too good a result, winning only the final game. Nevertheless, our captain Harley Skerritt scored the most runs and was the recipient of a new bat for this achievement.

UNDER 15 CRICKET

We participated in the Teachers’ Credit Union Under 15 Secondary Schools Cricket Championship. Our team advanced to the second round but failed to make it to the semi-finals. The team was however adjudged the Most Disciplined Team and our captain Asroy Myers was adjudged the Most Outstanding Wicket-keeper. He received a pair of wicket-keeping gloves and inners.

ATHLETICS

INTER-HOUSE ATHLETICS

Our 23rd Annual Inter-House Track and Field Championship was held at the Arnos Vale Playing Field on February 20th, 2003.

Yellow house once again emerged Champion House.

Joylyn Parris (Green House) Junior Girls Champion.

Shaka Clasp (Red House) Junior Boys Champion

Maurelle Cupid (Yellow House) – Intermediate Girls Champion

Andre DeShong (Blue House) – Intermediate Boys Champion

Kevorn Lynch (Yellow House) – Senior Girls Champion

Andy Codougan (Yellow House) – Senior Boys Champion

Victrix Ludorum – Kevorn Lynch

Victor Ludorum – Andy Codougan

Some fourteen (14) new records were established on that day. Mention must be made of the renewed effort of Blue House which moved from the cellar position to a fighting second place.

INTER-SECONDARY SCHOOL ATHLETICS

The Bethel High School did well at the Inter-Secondary Schools two-day Athletics Meet.

Our boys placed third and the girls were crowned Girls Champions. Our Joylyn Parris was the Junior Girls Champion, Shaka Clasp the Junior Boys Champion and Andy Codougan both the Senior Boys Champion and the Victor Ludorum of the games. Andy Codougan is presently a National athlete.

In addition our team placed first in the Junior Girls and Senior Boys divisions; second in the Junior Boys and Senior Girls division and third place in the Intermediate Girls division.

TABLE TENNIS

Our School participated in the male under 16 and under 19 divisions. Eldin Francois placed second in the under 16 and Kerry Pierre was crowned the under 19 singles champion a feat he also achieved last year.

In addition, Kerry Pierre and Keston Webb were crowned doubles champions in the under 19 male division. Under 16 player, Kamal Hunte was adjudged the most promising player of the division.

BETHEL HIGH SCHOOL

PROJECTIONS FOR 2004 – 2005

1. While it may not be practicable to cover and enclose the two sun-decks on the top floor of the school building, I wish to recommend that they be at least covered so as to prevent the seepage of rain-water into the roof and ceiling of the floor below. Presently, the ceilings in the staffroom and two sets of classrooms are affected in this regard.

2. The School’s Tuck-shop, while it is adequate in size, is hazardous for those who use it. There is only one door, and that single door therefore has to be used for entry and exit purposes. In addition, the windows are of the louvre type which cannot provide an escape route in the event of an emergency. Minor structural changes may be required to address the present situation.

3. A concerted effort has to be made within the upcoming school year to address the plumbing problems that continue to plague the school. High on the list of priorities ought to be the upgrading of the toilet facilities for both staff and students.

4. The School cannot continue to function for much longer without an Arts & Craft Room and a Music Room. If both of these subjects are to receive the level of success that is required, the physical infrastructure must be improved.

5. Similarly, the School will have to continue to deny access to Computer Literacy to the majority of our students unless the Computer Laboratory is extended, physically and equipment-wise.

6. The School requires the services of a full-time Grounds man. Presently, the YES programme provides someone on a yearly basis to fulfill this role. There is however, a need for more permanency to this post.


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