Officials taken on tour of new school
(CNS): Clifton Hunter High School students showed off their new school to the members of the Legislative Assembly and senior government officials recently, when the Ministry of Education arranged tours to allow the visitors to see the school and experience the brand new facility that has caused so much controversy. Although no official opening of the state-of-the-art school has yet taken place, the students, who, according to the principal, love their new school, began attending the newly completed facility at the beginning of this academic year. According to a release from the education ministry, the official opening is scheduled for November.
In the meantime, those who visited on 21 September and 3 October were able to experience what the school’s principal has described as some of the “wow” factors at the facility. Pauline Beckford explained that students have described the school, with its great sports facilities, landscape and “pod” chairs (pictured above), as "extraordinary", as well as a new opportunity to excel.
Education Minister Rolston Anglin said it was important to share the experience of the new campus with his elected colleagues as well as the governor and other officials.
“My ministry worked exceptionally hard to complete the school over the past three years,” hesaid. “There were some very challenging times but we persevered. I am delighted that we were able to deliver this school for the start of the school year, and can now celebrate the fact that such incredible facilities are now available for our children and community to enjoy. Our next mission will be the completion of a new John Gray Campus,” he added, despite the ceaseless criticisms that have been made of the two new high school projects by the minister and other members of the UDP government.
Since coming to office, the current administration has used the cost of the high schools to attack the previous PPM government, and efforts were made by the current minister to change elements of the original design of the modern facilities, which were started by Anglin’s predecessor, Alden McLaughlin.
Joining the officials on these visits, Anglin said the principal of the new school was on the way to setting the high standards and expectations.
“Our job is to transform these wonderful facilities into a welcoming, caring and stimulating learning environment, with highly-skilled and passionate teachers,” he said, as he thanked the premier and his colleagues for their support to deliver Clifton Hunter, even in these very difficult economic times.
With the students now getting down to the business of learning at their new campus, Beckford said that during the first week of school the main focus was to establish a positive behaviour code and for the teachers to support the students with the orientation process.
She said the main goals for the school were instilling a positive attitude to learning and behaviour, for students to feel proud of their school and uniform, and to embed consistency in everything they do. The principal also pointed to the drive to improve on literacy and numeracy at both key stages, to involve the community through a vibrant PTA and to be a reflective community of learners striving to improve.
She also said she is looking forward to working with the ministry to develop Clifton Hunter High School as a centre of excellence for the performing arts, which would support students in all government schools, as the students are very talented and she said there was a commitment to ensure that every child succeeds to the best of their ability.
Category: Local News
Thank you Mr. Alden McLaughlin for your foresight in helping to improve the infrastructure for our children's education and thank you Rolston Anglin, even with your negativity towards the projects, for continuing the projects. Remember these are not only schools, but these are multi purpose facilities. These schools can be used for Hurricane Shelters, swimming, volleyball and other indoor sports, cooking, dancing and the performance arts. Thank you 2 fine young educated gentlemen for this impressive structures. Well needed, throughout!
As of yet therse schools are the testimony of Alden McLaughlin's ego as there is much more to an effective educational system than the physical structure. Unless there are effective teachers supported by an administration that demands excellence these schools will become white elephants.
Don't get me wrong I cannot stress the importance of education to the future of Cayman but the easiest part of the equation is the physical plant the teaching staff which likely will be foreign must be skilled and most importantly be supported by effective administration.
Maybe these goldplated facilities could drag the literacy numbers up as high as 92-93% and propel Cayman into the bottom end of the top 100 countries in the world. Equitorial Guinea were are coming after you!
Maybe you should address the central issue about how we have third world education. How is that no direct taxation working out for ya?
I think the poster did exactly that. Good spelling and grammar is a part of education, you know.
"….reflective community of learners striving to improve…." Yeah, whatever, zzzzz. The usual education ministry jargon. The chief officer must have been delighted with that quote.
…"as the students are very talented…" Possibly – probably so. But how can the principal make this statement when the school has just opened and she has had no time to assess them? More flim flam to puff up the Education Ministry.
Great photo of the MLA's back in their rightful place! Give the teachers another 30 years and maybe some of them will be able to add up.
Did any of them sign up for ethics classes? We should be told.
That was so decent of Mr. Anglin to invite Alden and the PPM and opposition…
Did he also tell Alden sorry for criticizing the school projects? And thank him for having the foresight?
Please remember the the excellent wonderful facillities are a credit to ALDEN MCLAUGHLIN – NOT ROLSTON ANGLIN. Thank you Mr. McLaughlin- you took many licks from the UDP but it seems as if they are finally seeing the light. Congratulations Alden!!
Went to the volleyball tournament yesterday, WOW – what an amazing school!