The new Board of The Bishops’ High School is working to advance teacher development; and as part of its activities, organized another Staff Development Session for its teachers prior to the beginning of the Christmas term 2010. Staff Development Sessions, according to a release by the Board, were also held by the Board before the 2008 and 2009 Christmas terms and were much appreciated by the teaching staff.
The subject of this year’s focus was Quality Education and the roles of teachers, parents and other stakeholders, according to a release by the Board.
It added that the point was emphasized that Quality Education is much more that the number of subjects passed at CSEC/CAPE examination; rather it includes teaching and practice of values, of life skills, citizenship and participation in school clubs/ societies, sports activities, literary and debating groups, art and drama, CARE groups, which all contribute to preparing a rounded citizen. The need for creative and innovative child-centered teaching approaches was also emphasized.
The release stated that working in groups, teachers discussed the desired characteristics of the school’s ideal graduate. Reporters then made presentations to plenary.
“The animated discussions on these presentations revealed the level of understanding of the role of teachers in helping to provide a holistic education to students and their commitment to the process,” the release said.
It added that the impact of teachers on the lives of students, during their school and adult life was well, articulated through reflections from a current student (a Sixth Former) Tiffany Jeffery, and a past student, Naresh Harnanan from the class of 1994.
The participants’ evaluation revealed that they benefitted greatly from the session. They also had an opportunity to make recommendations for improvements in the contributions by various stakeholders groups.
These staff development sessions by the Board are in addition to those normally conducted by the HM (ag.) and Senior Staff during the term.
It is expected that this session would have heightened awareness of the meaning and importance of quality education, thereby improving even further the quality of output from the school’s Fifth and Sixth Forms.
The release stated that it is of interest to note that this set of teachers, two years ago designed their own Mission Statement for the School, which reads ‘To uphold the tradition of academic excellence and high moral values through the provision of a quality education, driven by innovative and a proactive school management, highly skilled and professional staff, so as to produce in a safe environment, students with leadership qualities who are assets to the school community, own nation and the world at large’.
The statement added that a list of core values was also developed in partnership with the staff.
Facilitators were Ms. Glenyss James, Programme Manager (Youth Work, Education and Training) at the Commonwealth Youth programme; Ms. Joyce Sinclair, a Management and Training Consultant; and Ms. Maureen Massiah, former Headmistress.
The Board’s new Chairperson, Ms Glenyss James, took the opportunity to congratulate the Board of Governors, Ms. Beverly, acting Headmistress, and teachers on their excellent work with the CSEC students enabling the school to be the Best Performing School with a 93% passing grade from successful students with Grades I and III in five or more subjects, including English and Mathematics.
The Bishops’ High Old Students Association and the School’s Parent/Teachers Association also contributed tremendous support and continue to provide the same to staff and students.