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BUFF Bay Primary, in the town of the same name in the parish of Portland, has walked away with the top prize for recording the most improvement in its management and academic performance during year one of the JN Foundation’s iLead education leadership programme.

The award was presented at a ceremony held at the Altamont Court Hotel in New Kingston, recently.

“All the schools showed tremendous progress over the past year. However, Buff Bay stood out as an exemplary team, implementing various administrative, teaching and learning strategies, which have impacted positively on discipline and punctuality, as well as student performance,” said Dr Renee Rattray, director of education programmes at JN Foundation.

“The schools, including Buff Bay, still have a far way to go to improve the quality of their leadership, management and student performance. However, the incremental successes and enthusiasm has been impressive,” Dr Rattray added.

Buff Bay is one five schools in the iLead programme, which was designed, in tandem with the Ministry of Education, to build leadership capacity and improve student performance through improved teaching; and create an enhanced school environment.

The other participating schools are Brimmer Vale High, Islington High, and Port Maria Primary, all in St Mary; and Robert Lightbourne High in St Thomas. They have all recorded significant improvements in management and leadership, which have impacted student performance.

“Since September we’ve implemented a Turnaround Plan for the school leadership that has been influencing the school’s culture and impacting teaching and learning,” Acting Principal of Buff Bay Primary, June Dobbs disclosed.

“This plan resulted in a change of attitude in both our administrators and educators. It also included the parent body, as they were sensitised through the Parent Teachers’ Association about the new policies being implemented and the role they could play,” she stated.

The strategies had particular impact on punctuality and numeracy and literacy levels. Overall, literacy improved by some 40 per cent among grade four students. More than 15 students of the cohort, which also sat the Grade Six Achievement Test, scored above 92 per cent across all subject areas this year.

“More accountability is taking place,” Dobbs noted.

“Our middle managers, who are our senior teachers with supervisory roles, are more cognisant of the fact that I am a part of the management team; and, my role is to see that plans put in place are being implemented, not to watch them being put into place and to criticise,” she continued.

“More importance was given to punctuality, as staff members realised that managing time matters, and everyone needed to respond to the bell and get to class on time,” Mrs Dobbs explained.

She said planning sessions have also been strengthened; consequently, the time allotted to sessions were extended, so that teachers have more time to share ideas with each other, based on observation and data.

The four other schools in the iLead Programme also received awards. Robert Lightbourne High received an award for effectively engaging its stakeholders through a town hall meeting; Islington High was awarded for being the school which was best at leveraging its community stakeholders. Brimmer Vale High was awarded for the turnaround in school culture; and, Port Maria High recognised for its use of data to improve overall student achievement.

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Buff-Bay-Leads_19223860
 

It was a memorable first day for 30 students who turned up for The Source Savanna-la-Mar one-week summer camp recently.

The students were privy to an exclusive opportunity to meet United States Ambassador to Jamaica Luis G. Moreno.

Organised by Peace Corps volunteer Jordan Waldschmidt, the ambassador addressed the students and participated in an interactive question-and-answer session, as well as a photo opportunity.

Incoming grade-seven student at Frome Technical High School Beatrice Cummings described the visit as “unforgettable”.

“I really feel good because I got to meet Ambassador Moreno. I enjoyed the way he spoke to us and the interesting things he shared about his love for Jamaica, as well as his responsibilities as a United States ambassador. He seems like a fun person,” said Cummings.

Moreno said the moment resonated well with him, and he recalled his early involvement in summer camps as a student and teacher. He implored the students to gain as much international exposure to enhance their marketability and skills to build their country as possible.

“Go and discover the world. Study abroad if you can, and come back to Jamaica with solid experiences and international exposure. It is nothing like going back to where you are from, to give back and share what you know and have learned, to uplift your community, peers and country.”

beautiful people

Spending more than 30 years travelling around the world, Ambassador Moreno struck a chord with the students when he cited Jamaica as being one of the nicest places he has ever worked.

“The best thing about Jamaica is the people, and when they smile, you know it is real. Some parts of the world, you don’t really know what that smile means and what they want to do,” he said.

“People say Jamaica is so beautiful, with its beaches and mountains, and when I was assigned to Jamaica, I made a vow to visit every single Peace Corps project that I could, and all the parishes in Jamaica, to be able to see the island and to interact with the people. The most important natural resource Jamaica has is the people, especially you, the young people,” he said.

A participant in the JN Foundation’s Social Enterprise Boost Initiative, The Source Savanna-la-Mar is a community-based and operated resource centre, that promotes educational and professional advancement of students and adults based on its offerings and ease of accessibility.

Julien Pringle, centre administrator, said the ambassador’s visit was the perfect start to the summer camp. Incorporating presentations from influential persons, along with arts and academic subjects taught by volunteers, the summer camp has been greatly anticipated by students for the last three years.

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/news/20150819/us-ambassador-moreno-visits-source-savanna-la-mar

The roots of education are bitter, but the fruit is sweet. — Aristotle.

The hustle and bustle associated with a new academic year is here. However, to a great extent, the 2015/2016 academic year will commence similar to previous years beset by myriad fixable problems. It bears thought that, as a society, we have become satisfied with mediocrity. This is evident in our continuation to celebrate pockets of excellence scattered across all 14 parishes, three counties, and six regions of Jamaica’s education system. Disturbingly, there has been a gradual decrease in our pockets of excellence. This is unacceptable and clearly indicates that we need to become proactive in order to improve Jamaica’s education system.

The gravity of Jamaica’s education system is documented in the 2014 National Education Inspectorate (NEI) report which stated that more than 60 per cent of the country’s primary and secondary schools are failing in their education delivery to the nation’s children. As a result, more and more of our students continue to leave high school unprepared for the world of work or unable to matriculate to the tertiary level. This feeds Jamaica’s youth employment rate of 33.3 per cent. Clearly, this is a recipe for crime.

The genesis of the phenomenon of failing schools in the society lies with poor leadership and a lack of accountability. Sadly, too many of our school administrators are merely perfunctory leaders without the zeal and zest for human capacity formation. Added to this dilemma is the fact that we have a relatively weak middle management structure of senior teachers across most schools. According to Dr Renee Rattray, director of education programmes at the Jamaica National Foundation, “Many of the middle managers are promoted to positions of seniority without adequate preparation.” This is clearly a flaw in our education system and one that urgently needs to be remedied. There needs to be on-the-job training and workshops for those who are selected as senior teachers. Probably we need to examine how senior teachers are promoted in the first instance. It is an open secret that the promotion of senior teachers is based largely on the fancy of school administrators. In many instances senior teachers are lacking in the area of professionalism and many lack integrity and therefore are poor examples for their junior colleagues. This practice continues to frustrate the education system. The continued practice of principals’ pets becoming senior teachers is driving many talented and young teachers from the classroom.

Our policymakers and educators need to keep abreast of best practices and teaching trends elsewhere. It is rather troubling that a significant number of our students are leaving high schools without the necessary skill sets to critically analyse situations and arrive at solutions.

Jamaica could benefit by examining a different educational model such as the Waldorf Education which was founded by Austrian-born Rudolf Steiner, who was an educator, scientist and philosopher. Waldorf education is based on an understanding that the key to developing problem-solving skills for the 21st century is an active imagination and a commitment to pursuing one’s purpose in life. The Waldorf curriculum carefully balances academic, artistic, and practical activities to stimulate the imagination and prepare the students for life. Rather than relying on rote memorisation of standardised information, Waldorf education seeks to engage the whole child in the learning process. Our students need to view education as a seamless patchwork connecting all subjects, instead of compartmentalising the offering of the various subjects.

With the Waldorf model every subject is taught artistically, using movement, drawing, painting, music, storytelling, and rhythm; teachers bring the material to life and endow the developing child with a lifelong sense of wonder and a joy of learning. Whether our students become anthropologists or police officers, mathematicians or musicians, the creative capacities developed through a Waldorf education will give students the foundation they require to be successful and adapt to changing circumstances.

Interestingly, once you enter a Waldorf school you are struck by the care given to the school plant. The walls are usually painted in lively colours and adorned with student artwork. As a society we have paid little attention to the colour schemes of our schools despite the research that highlights benefits that bright and lively colours have on the teaching/learning process. Clearly, the Waldorf approach to education is student-centred and this serves to empower and motivate students as well as assist in their capacity to develop a yearning for lifelong learning.

Teachers using this model exhibit much enthusiasm, as teaching is presented in a pictorial and dynamic manner. This approach reduces the need for competitive testing. The Waldorf curriculum is broad and all encompassing covering three phases: from birth to age seven, from age seven to 14 years, and from 14 to age 18. We need to find a mixture of educational models that best fit the complexities of Jamaica’s educational landscape. This model must be consultative in scope and nature and must involved all stakeholders.

One important stakeholder we must have on board are the parents. They must become more involved in their children’s education. Data show that parents who spend quality time to monitor and offer support to their children’s school are rewarded by better returns on their investment. The ongoing gang violence in some areas will undoubtedly impact negatively on schools located in and around the vicinity. Those schools will require much support from the Education Ministry for their staff, and especially for those traumatised students. We can only hope that the Ministry of Education will be proactive and put in place the necessary support systems to facilitate a smooth opening of the new school year. We are at a critical juncture in our development especially as Jamaica recently celebrated 53 years of political independence. A well educated and skilled workforce is vital for us to have sustainable development and to pull ourselves out of the economic crisis in which we find ourselves. All hands are needed on deck to turn around Jamaica’s pockets of excellence to a widespread increase in the delivery of educational outcomes regardless of school. We are all accountable to the children of Jamaica. This academic year, let us draw inspiration from our athletes who recently competed at the 15th IAAF World Championships. It takes a team effort, dedication and commitment to reap success.

Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today. — Malcolm X

Wayne Campbell is an educator and social commentator with an interest in development policies as they affect culture and gender issues. Send comments to the Observer or waykam@yahoo.com.

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/columns/A-new-approach-to-educating-the-nation-s-youth_19226673

FIFTY primary schools will receive new and upgraded sanitary facilities by the end of May as a result of the Food for the Poor and Ministry of Education sanitary upgrade project.

The initiative, which was officially launched recently at Bois Primary School in St Catherine, is also being funded by the Jamaica National Building Society (JNBS) Foundation.

Andrew Mahfood, chairman of Food for the Poor, said the project will provide low-cost solutions to upgrade sanitary blocks in schools through the construction of concrete toilet facilities. He noted that the project has adopted the organisation’s “flush for life” objective, which was implemented years ago to remove pit latrines from schools in Jamaica.

“Through the “flush for life” project, we replaced pit latrines in approximately 40 schools with the help of corporate Jamaica and the JNBS Foundation. That sanitation project impacted thousands of lives, and we are now pleased to collaborate with the Ministry of Education and JNBS Foundation to continue delivering low-cost solutions by upgrading sanitary conveniences in primary schools,” Mahfood stated.

Ronald Thwaites, minister of education, endorsed the initiative as one that contributes to the overall learning environment for students, and a move by the Government to demonstrate its commitment to the eradication of pit latrines from schools.

“Two years ago the prime minister said to me that wherever possible, I should find the resources and partners to make sure that we eliminate pit toilets in our schools. This project is certainly a stepping stone for us to realise this mandate,” he said.

Contributing to the execution of the project with a grant of $6 million, Saffrey Brown, general manager, JNBS Foundation, described the initiative as a social partnership for the benefit of children.

“This launch is a demonstration of a socially focused partnership as we join forces to implement solutions to upgrade sanitary blocks for students, one school at a time, until we can say mission accomplished. These upgrades will provide a safe and comfortable environment in which our children can thrive,” Brown said.

Bois Primary is the first beneficiary of the sanitary upgrade project. The institution, which had pit latrines for six decades, officially opened the new bathroom facility at the launch event.

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/magazines/career/50-primary-schools-set-for-bathroom-upgrades_18417295

Many youngsters have little or nothing to do outside of the school yard. Since 2003, however, the Resolution Project has given high school students in the rural area the chance to take advantage of the happenings around them. With the help of the Jamaica National Building Society (JNBS) Foundation, students have been equipped and trained in the art of photography and youth advocacy. A little over a week ago, the JNBS Resolution Project Awards ceremony was held at the Montego Bay Cultural Centre to crown this year’s top performers, as well as announce the best photographs taken for each category. The theme for 2015 was “Rites and Rituals.”

This year, 25 schools participated in the competition, with over 12,000 images submitted. Naturally, this translated to a lot of work for the panel comprising of five judges – inclusive of chairman of the JNBS Foundation, Earl Jarrett. The panel was tasked with rationalising how the students brought across the theme. Throughout the event, it was expressed that the panel was very pleased with the direction of the project and the collection of the children’s work, which was published in a coffee table book last year. Jarrett and the general manager of the JNBS Foundation, Saffrey Brown were openly pleased with this year’s participation. Brown admitted that such a project is tricky to facilitate, “we are a very conservative organisation and believe in family values and being Jamaica, the work brought to the fore can be very disturbing… but we have to make sure we don’t censor [student photographers].”

Glenmuir High School dominated the awards ceremony with nine sectional awards, the next best was Anchovy High with two awards. The toast of the ceremony was Jeremy Anderson from Glenmuir High who took home all of five awards, including Best Male Photographer and the JNBS General Manager’s Best Photo Award for “100 miles in my shoes.”

Alesha Rowe, who has been involved with the project since 2012, took home the Best Female Photographer award. When asked how she felt about her award, she told the teenAGE Observer, “It’s good to be rewarded with a camera because it shows that the JN Resolution Project cares about me and expanding on my creativity.”

The Hampton High student, who is looking to take photography seriously going forward, provided advice for budding photographers, “Just go for it [entering the Resolution Project] even if you don’t think you’re cut out to be the ‘best’, because it helps you to develop your talent and become the best that you can be through workshops and the different themes.”

The outstanding photographs will not just end here, with some having the possibility of being exhibited at both international airports on the island as well as entered into JCDC competitions where they have done well. We say kudos to the JNBS Foundation for giving the youth such an opportunity to be creative.

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/teenage/teen-jn-resolution-project

Our #JNFoundation ACT!ONeers (ACT!ON Jamaica #volunteers) will be busy this weekend.

To start things off, our volunteers will be leading warm up sessions, distributing bibs, manning select water stations at the Road Safety 5K in Mona this morning.

LET’S GO TO THE BEACH!

Then come tomorrow we’ll be off to St. Catherine to assist the Braeton Police Youth Club with it’s clean up exercise at Helshire Beach in Portmore! Stay tuned to our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages for updates ^_^

#GoVolunteerJA #JN #SpruceUpJamaica