Opening set for the first new high school

| 25/08/2012

IMG-20120720-00189 (249x300).jpg(CNS): The brand new but controversial Clifton Hunter High School has finally been given an official opening date. The state of the art facility which has been used as a political football for the last four years will open its doors to the first students on Monday 3 September. Education officials said Friday evening that special arrangements are being made for the new school which will begin with induction for Year 7 students from 8:00am to 12:00pm. Then on Tuesday, 4 September the School opens for Year 10 & 11 students with the school year starting for Year 7 on Wednesday, 5 September.  On Thursday, 6 September Year 8 & 9 students begin the entry process.

There were no indications of any ribbon cuttings or special ceremonies, unlike the recent opening of the new block at George Town Primary, but the confirmation put pay to fears the building would not be ready in time for the new academic year.

Meanwhile, the students attending John Gray High School will do so at the old George Hicks Campus at 73 Academy Way, George Town. That school opens with induction for new students in year 7 on Tuesday 28 August from 8:00am to 12:00pm. The school will then open to all students on Wednesday 29 August.

At the Cayman Islands Further Education Centre (CIFEC) which will now be located at the old John Gray campus, at 515 Walkers Road, will open on Monday August 27 for collection of exam results for 2011/12 CIFEC students then on Tuesday 28 August year 11 Students can collect their results. Induction takes place on Monday and Tuesday 3-4 September for all students with the rest of the week being set aside for workplace advice & guidance. The full timetable will begin for all students on the following Monday.

Over on Cayman Brac, students at the Layman E. Scott Senior High School will begin on Wednesday 29 August .

Across all three islands primary schools and reception classes open on Wednesday 29 August

For those students who utilize the school buses, collection points will remain the same for the 2012/2013 academic year, with the new Clifton Hunter Campus being added to the bus routes.

Parents can refer any questions on opening dates or other school issues to the Department of Education Services at 945-1199.

For the 2012/2013 School Calendar please visit the Ministry of Education’s website, www.education.gov.ky.

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  1. Annon. says:

    Nice school but one of the women behind the front desk is so rude.  She wore a scowl on her face the entire time we were there and I'm not the only parent who noticed it.  Front desk secretaries etc should be knowledgable, well-mannered and pleasant and that woman was none of those!  We overheard her speaking to a few people and her tone was so harsh you'd swear she was paying the light bill up there! Perhaps she should look into working behind closed doors as she certainly is not the face or personality that should give you the first impression of Clifton Hunter.  In the future maam, please remember that our children attend that school and you should set an example by treating everyone you encounter with respect! Geeeeze!.  Manners and courtesy can never be out of style.  You would do well to educate yourself on common courtesy it might make you appear to be less of a witch.

    Love the principal, strict and intelligent. 

     

  2. CaymanFriend says:

    I have followed the Cayman education story for a while and worked in it for two years. Whilst there are still many areas for improvement, the system has moved far in the last few years and examination percentage pass rates for 16-18 year olds are among the highest in the Caribbean region (and not due to 'easier examinations' BOBO!!).Both governments deserve credit for their commitment to invest, even if planning went awry at times.

    Caymanian kids need support and credit for what they are managing to achieve and decrying the education system does exactly the opposite. If people are going to criticise, be specific, be focused, be a critical friend cos' generic negative rhetoric undermines everyone, not just the political party you happen to be taking a swipe at! 

  3. Not a PPM supporter says:

    Trust me 5 years from now we will be thanking the PPM for this. Please remember this complex is 4 schools in 1 not 1 large school. The cost may have been high but guess what since the UDP took over they have added $60M more to the costs of the high schools. One thing is for certain, when the PPM spent we have hard undisputable proof of what they spent on, we can see and touch schools and roads. But what has the UDP done for us ? They have spent millions with nothing to show for it. Where is all the new technology Ellio promised? Where is the Cruise Dock? Have we dealt with the dump yet? Whatabout all of these people currently living on social service assistance while the work permits continue to flow? Where are the Caymanian only jobs ?  Is anyone going to speak up about that? The hospital proclaimed a profit but we still havent seen audited financials. Comon Mac and Company !!! get real stop misleading the people and step out of the way of progress. I am voting PPM straight this time around, at least they are honest, and hard working. Arden made a mistake leaving and Ezzard will not draw together enough people to do anything worthwhile, even if he dusts Linford off.  

  4. Anonymous says:

    about time….can someone in the press do an article on the shambolic budgeting and scheduling of this project…….

  5. BornCaymanian says:

    Thank You Alden McLaughlin for your foresight, Thank you for the New School and Thank you for your achievements in the 4 years you were the leader of Education. Thank You.

  6. Anonymous says:

    What is the bus schedule for Clifton Hunter? Will there be a bus for induction day. So last minute and unorganized as usual.

  7. Anonymous says:

    Thank you Alden for what you have done for our children and future generations. They may have cost alot but the money didnt disappear into thin air we can see where it went. That is what real nation building is all about.

    • Anonymous says:

      Hope there is enough money for top teachers and curriculum. School looks good but itr's just a building.

      • Anonymous says:

        Hope there is an economy left to give future generations decent job prospects

  8. Anonymous says:

    You can be sure I will not be sending my children to any government schools, not now, not ever, BOBO!

    The quality and content of the curriculum, combined with poor execution are setting the kids up for failure. Perhaps they want this, so they can have a new generation of deadbeats who can get handouts and keep the hand that feeds them in power?

    The whole system is rotten, rotten from the top down to the bottom. Rotten!

    • a Troll says:

      Your kid probably already is a failure.. 

    • Anonymous says:

      Such harshness!

      I have to agree to a certain extent that the cirriculum of the Government High Schools need some serious reviewing. I wouldn't go as far as saying that is rotten but when our students go away and try to compete on the world stage, they are humiliated by how far behind they are. 

      The topics I have heard students from Jamaica, Barbados, etc by the time they are age 11m our students in High School here have never seen. Sad! 

      I don't know if the idea is to lower the standards so that the Government education system can boast the percentage of passes they achieved but it is only doing a disservice to our students. 

      To this poster I will warn you though that sending your child to private school doesn't guarantee anything either. You can drag a horse to the water but you can't force him to drink. A child with the right training and assistance at home tend to excel no matter which school they attend. 

      • Anonymous says:

        All of my kids went to the Government schools after finishing up to 6th grade in one of the private prepartory schools.  The did wonderfully.  Each one went on to do their bachelors/ masters and is holding very good positions in our society.  Perhaps some parents should do that if at all possible.  Spend the bucks to give them a sound foundation then if they really want to they will succeed. Also remember, every PTA, every reporting session be there, and keep abreast of your child/children's progress. Don't wait until you get called in, by that time it might be too late.

  9. Anonymous says:

    When will the bobo school in westbay be open lmao

    Caymanian

  10. Anonymous says:

    They go into a chromically failed education system wherever they go.

  11. Anonymous says:

    OK, I realise I am not smart. Can someone set out clearly for me where the high school age students from each district now go?

    • Anonymous says:

      Kids who live west of Spotts Newlands Road – John Gray High School, Walkers Road
      East of there – the new Clifton Hunter campus in Frank Sound. Hope this helps!