Found at: http://www.anguillaguide.com/article/articleprint/4170/-1/140/
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Speech Night: ALHCS Functioned Well Last School Year Despite Problems
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The Principal’s Report covering the academic year September 2005 to July/August 2006 showed that the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School functioned very well during that period despite the number of problems its teachers had to cope with.
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ALHCS music students in performance led by Daphne Jacobs-Richardson
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The Annual Speech Night Report was delivered by recently-appointed Principal, Ingrid Lake, on December 7. The main reason for the success of the school year was that the teachers committed themselves to a number of objectives from the outset and worked towards achieving them.
The objectives included ensuring curriculum access for all students though design, methodology and resources; providing the highest quality of teaching and learning for all students in a safe and secure environment; raising the educational aspirations and expectations of students and parents/guardians; working together with parents/guardians to provide support for learning within and without the school; and conducting assessment procedures designed to enhance the learning process.
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ALHCS in performance led by Daphne Jacobs-Richardson
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The commitment by the teachers paid off well as there were a number of improvements in the examination results but the Principal was of the view that the students could have done better. “The school is concerned that too many students seem satisfied with mediocrity,” she noted. “As a result only 7 % of the students made the Honour Roll list. Most of them who attained an average of 80% and above were in Years 1 and 2.”
Mrs. Lake further reported that 16% of the student population (Years 1-4) attained an average of 70 % and above. On Speech Night these students received a book certificate valued at EC$100. Thirty students received book certificates for excellence in sports while 14 excelled in both the academics and sports.
One of the early problems encountered was the recurring staff shortage which was eventually relieved when 14 new teachers joined the staff with only two of that number being of Anguillian origin.
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Sections of the large audience at the Speech Night function
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The Principal devoted several paragraphs of her report to discipline at the school. “The majority of the student body exhibit positive behavioural traits and must be commended,” she said. “Unfortunately in each year group there is a visible minority of students which persists in terrorising the school with their anti-social behaviour. Repeated acts of violence, abuse of school property, blatant disregard for the school’s dress code and disrespect for authority were common place with this group.”
The Principal continued: “Major concerns include: the blatant and indiscriminate use of indecent language even in the presence of teachers; the increasing number of boys who are smoking and selling marijuana; the determination of students to engage in gang-related conflicts and who bring weapons to school to “defend” themselves; the deliberate destruction of school property; and a persistent code of silence – refusal to provide the names of guilty offenders.
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Sections of the large audience at the Speech Night function
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“No form of punishment and/or intervention measures has been effective in curbing the inappropriate behaviour of these students. Attempts to help through counselling and pastoral conferences have been futile.
“Unfortunately, it had to take a stabbing incident at the school and a sit in by teachers to force the Government to provide an alternative care facility – Pupil Referral Unit (Campus C). The centre was opened in September 2005. While 20 students (all boys) were referred, only 12 attended regularly. Security concerns prompted the employment of five security officers.”
Mrs. Lake said the Board of Governors along with the Principal and staff spent much time dealing with students with behavioural problems. On many occasions the Student Services Sub-Committee met with students and parents to discuss matters of indiscipline. She expressed the view that there was a need for an Education Psychologist to help deal with the situation. “There is an urgent need to strengthen the referral system at the school level as well as beyond the school,” she suggested. “Clearly, there is need for interventions beyond those provided by the Pupil Referral Unit.”
The Principal said life at the school would improve if positive actions were taken to address key areas of concern, among them being the problem of staffing. She called for the establishment of an Education Authority by September 2007 or January 2008 to manage all matters with respect to education including human resources.
“Secondly, serious consideration must be given to establishing a feeding programme in all government schools,” Mrs. Lake went on. “The plan must be self-sustainable. It will provide a practical means of training our students to practice healthy eating habits. It will also provide us with an opportunity to reduce the threat of obesity that is growing in our schools.
“Thirdly, urgent help must be provided to the many students who have developed the dangerous habit of indulging in the use of abusive substances. If this help is effectively administered, the problems relating to violence and other forms of unacceptable behaviour will diminish.”
Mrs. Lake added that school management was both complex and challenging and that the success of the school over the years resulted from the commitment and professionalism of the teachers. It is noteworthy that a number of teachers were presented with awards for outstanding achievement and service during Speech Night.