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What's Happening at Queen's College |
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| QC Student to attend World Leadership Summit | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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PRESS RELEASE (May 8, 2002) Jeremy Jairam, Fifth Form Student of Queen’s College, will join peers from all over the world at the 2002 Scholar Athlete Games (SAG) World Leadership Summit at the University of Rhode Island in Kingston, Rhode Island, USA, June 23-28, 2002. Jeremy received a scholarship last year to attend World Scholar-Athlete Games in Rhode Island. At the games, young students between the ages of fifteen to eighteen and from more than one hundred and fifty countries participated in sports and artistic programmes. Jeremy participated in Swimming and Symphony. His exemplary performance at the games and his continued dedication to community work in Guyana, his strong academic records and his achievements in extracurricular activities have led to his selection to the Leadership Summit. Commissioner of the World Leadership Summit, Mr. Wally Halas, in his letter of offer to Jeremy, stated “Your selection in the 2002 World Leadership Summit is a testament to your potential as a developing leader, and to your hard work both in and out of the classroom. You can take pride in this accomplishment, and I congratulate you again on your selection. We look forward to seeing you in June and are excited for you to be part of this inaugural forum for leadership development.” Warmest congratulations are extended to Jeremy from the Board of Governors and the Principal, staff and students of Queen’s College. |
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| 12th Jan 2002 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| QC Board makes substantial presentation to school (excerpt from the Guyana Chronicle) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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THE Board of Governors of Queen's College presented the institution with a substantial quantity of books, furniture and equipment on Friday. Chairman of the Board of Governor,
Mr. Ronald Alli, and Chairperson of the Academic and Curriculum Support Sub-Committee, Mrs. Dia Persaud, made the presentation to the school's Headmistress, Mrs. Wendell Roberts. The items included two refrigerators for the Natural Science Department; an overhead projector with a backdrop screen for the English Department; 144 stools for the Library, Allied Arts, Home Economics and Industrial Arts Departments; mahogany desks and chairs for members of staff; farming implements for the Agricultural Science Department; fans, books, globes, medical kits, footballs and football tee-shirts. The items have a total value of $1.7M. The Board said that last year it intensified its programme of addressing the needs of specific departments based on submissions of the Headmistress. Over the last five years the school has received significant inputs from the Board in developing both academic and extra-curricular programmes, with emphasis on equipping the Natural Science Department, which is now among the best in the country, a release from the Board said. The Board also announced that construction on Phase One of a three- phase expansion and rehabilitation of the school has begun. Construction works on the auditorium block and the teachers' staff room are expected to be completed by the end of next month. Phase Two will entail an extension to incorporate the students' canteen and forum area, while Phase Three will see the conversion of the auditorium to a theatre-style facility. |
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| 13th Jan 2002 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| QC Board hands over $1.7M in furniture, equipment to school (excerpt from the Stabroek News) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Students of Queen's College pore over a textbook at the handing over of a number of essential texts, furniture and equipment to the school by its Board of Governors yesterday morning at the general assembly. Among those in photo are Chairman of the Board Ronald Alli (third from right) and Headmistress Wendel Roberts (fifth from left). (Photo by Aubrey Crawford) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
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The Queen's College (QC) Board of Governors has handed over a quantity of books, furniture and equipment valued some $1.7 million to the school to aid in its development. The items included two refrigerators for the Science Department, and an overhead projector with a backdrop screen for the English Department. The Allied Arts, Home Economics and Industrial Arts departments received 144 stools, while eight mahogany desks and chairs were procured for the staff. Farm implements were purchased for the Agricultural Science department and the school also received fans, books, globes, medical kit, footballs and t-shirts. The items were presented to Principal Wendel Roberts by Chairperson of the Academic and Curriculum Support Sub-Committee Dia Persaud. A release from the board said that the handing over, which was done at the school's general assembly yesterday morning, was in keeping with a commitment to upgrade the institution to enhance its overall teaching programme. QC, the country's premier secondary school lost many learning and teaching aids during a fire which gutted a major portion of the school building in November 1997. Since the fire, the school has received significant inputs from the board. Early efforts, the release said, were concentrated on equipping the Science Department, which is now among the best in the country. The refurbishing of the sports ground was also completed this year and it is being used for the National Under-19 cricket competition administered by the Guyana Cricket Board of Control. The release said that last year the board started a more intensive programme of addressing the needs of specific departments based on the submissions of the principal. Several items have since been procured and handed over to meet the urgent needs of various departments of the school. The release noted, too, that Phase One in the reconstruction of the school building is well underway. The auditorium block is scheduled for completion by next month end. |
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PRESS RELEASE |
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Friday Janaury 11, 2002 ---------- QC Board of Governors to Hand Over Items to the School Queen’s College will receive a substantial contribution of books, furniture and equipment from the Board of Governors (BoG), on Friday January 11, 2001 during School Assembly at 815 hours. This follows on the commitment made by the Board to upgrade the school to enhance its overall teaching programme. Over the last five years, the school has received significant inputs from the Board in developing both its academic and extra-curricular programmes. Efforts were concentrated on equipping the Science Department, which is now among the best in the country. The refurbishing of the sports ground was also completed this year and it is being utilised for the National Under-19 Cricket Competition administered by the Guyana Cricket Board of Control. Last year, the Board commenced a more intensive programme of addressing the needs of specific departments based on submissions of the Head Mistress. Several items have been procured and handed over since then to fulfill urgent needs of the Home Economics and Allied Arts Department for furniture and equipment, of the teaching staff for chairs and of the library for essential texts. The items to be delivered on Friday include two refrigerators (Science Department), an Overhead Projector with a Backdrop Screen (English Department), 144 stools (Allied Arts, Home Economics, Industrial Art Department and Library), 8 Mahogany Desks and Chairs (Staff), Farm Implements for the Agricultural Science Department, Fans, Books, Globes, Medical Kit, Footballs and Football T-Shirts. The total value of these items is $1,703, 407.00. Chairman of the Board of Governors, Mr. Ronald Alli, and Chairperson of the Academic and Curriculum Support Sub-Committee of the Board, Mrs. Dia Persaud, will hand over the items to the Head Mistress of the School, Mrs. Wendell Roberts. The Board wishes to take this opportunity to announce that construction is well on the way for the completion of Phase 1 of a three-phase programme of rehabilitation and expansion of the school. The completion of the construction of the auditorium block and the teacher’s staff room is expected by the end of February. Phase 2 will entail extension to incorporate the student’s canteen and forum area and Phase 3 will involve the conversion of the auditorium to a theatre-style facility Nisa Surujbally Chairperson, Public Relations and Communications Sub-Committee of the QC BoG |
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35 YEARS OF SERVICE |
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Honoured for 35 years of service to the teaching profession: Spanish teacher at Queen's College (QC) Yvonne Harris (third from right) being presented with a plaque by QC Head Prefect Amalata Persaud (left) on behalf of the students in recognition of her sterling contribution to education. Harris, who prepared students for the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate and Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations offered by the Caribbean Examinations Council, joined the staff at QC in 1994 after teaching at the East Ruimveldt Secondary and St Rose's High School. The teachers and staff of the School, the Guyana Association of Modern Languages Teachers (GAMLAT), the Board of Governors and the school's Parent Teachers Association were among those who honoured and paid tribute to her at a special assembly held at the Police Officers Mess, Eve Leary on July 3rd, 2001. Harris reached the age of retirement on June 6 and has been rehired by the Teaching Service Commission. Others in photo are (from left) Senior Mistress Gem Rohlehr, Principal Wendel Roberts, past student and teacher Althea Brutus and Deputy Principal Clare Blake. (Originally reported in the Stabroek News - Photo by Ken Moore) |
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| Stabroek News, June 26, 2001 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| School boards need more authority to discipline -Education Minister told at meeting Teaching Service Commission comes under attack | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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By Miranda La Rose The functioning of a
number of school boards and the Teaching Service Commission (TSC) came
under fire when Education Minister Dr Henry Jeffrey met yesterday with
members of the boards and other stakeholders in education. |
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Education Minister, Dr Henry Jeffrey (second from right in front row) chatting with some members of the school boards at Le Meridien Pegasus prior to his meeting with them yesterday. Next to him is Secretary General of the Guyana National Commission for UNESCO, Carmen Jarvis. Principal of the Cyril Potter College of Education, Savitri Balbahadur is next to Jarvis. (Photo by Ken Moore) The meeting to introduce the new minister to the boards at Le Meridien Pegasus Hotel lasted 75 minutes and ended with the promise to meet within a month's time to brainstorm and find solutions to some of the problems facing the boards. In 1994 four school boards, in addition to the President's College Board of Governors which came into being as an Act of Parliament in 1991, were set up with the permission of then education minister Dr Dale Bisnauth. Boards were established for Queen's College, the Anna Regina Multilateral School, the Cyril Potter College of Education and the Government Technical Institute. The boards came into being as a pilot project and others were to follow. No new broads were appointed since 1994, although Dr Jeffrey in his brief address said that ideally all schools should come under the management of boards to involve communities and all other stakeholders. Though the Coordinator of the School Boards Secretariat told Stabroek News that plans are in train to establish another six, she did not disclose the names of the schools. The Assistant Coordinator of the Secretariat, Joyce De Weever gave a background to the establishment and functioning of the school boards but this was questioned by the Guyana Teachers' Union representative on the TSC, George Cave who noted that their establishment and functioning contradicts the country's Constitution. However, Dr Jeffrey felt that there were ways of dealing with the issue such as making state-owned entities like schools into public corporations according to the Public Corporations Act. In that way some authority could be vested in bodies with specific roles such as with the TSC, which is the sole authority in the teaching profession to appoint, effect transfers and dismiss teachers. Cave noted, in the background to the establishment of the boards, that in spite of the roles laid out for board members, no mention was made of the part the TSC plays. The hiring and firing of teachers is a major issue at present, he said but it does not seem to be a priority issue for government. Noting that the authority to hire and fire a teacher rests with the TSC, Cave said that both the TSC and Prime Minister Sam Hinds in December 1999 took a very stupid decision "as a matter of politics" to rescind the powers of Regional Education Officers" to make appointments "based on nebulous and unproven allegations, some of which could be levelled at the TSC itself". There is now a need, he said, for the minister in looking at local control beyond school boards and regional education officers, to appoint to the TSC persons of merit who can do the job. The new TSC is due to be reconstituted in August. Whatever the new appointments, Cave said that the commissioners would have to "shape up or ship out" and to work within the ambit of the law. Commenting on the functioning of the board at the GTI on the issues of sanctions, hiring and firing, board member Brigadier (rtd) Norman McLean said that he believed in discipline coming from a military background with 30 years of service. However, as a GTI board member for the past 10 years he has noted the lack of discipline among staff members that is condoned by the ministry of education. McLean said that in spite of persistent complaints to the ministry, some staff members are still able to collect their salaries under false pretence. They work elsewhere during the hours they should be at the institute, leaving students unattended. The drop-out rate and the failures are great and due in large part to this attitude, he declared. He said that in dealing with the issue, transfers are recommended and so the problems move towards the areas where the transfers are effected. However, Cave noted, the TSC has dismissed a number of teachers, but "probably" not the number he would have liked to see dismissed. Some have remained on the job because of the "political culture" of the TSC, he contended. In his brief address, Dr Jeffrey said that he has found the problems of education, unlike health and industrial relations, for which he was previously responsible, are more difficult to solve. For instance in the Ministry of Health, the problems are more or less set out in chronological order and are more or less straightforward. It is not the same with education, he stated, noting that even though the main problem in education -- functional illiteracy -- could be easily identified, getting to the core of solving it is not done by just one avenue. Every aspect of education has to be touched to deal with the issue, he said. The other key issue in education, he noted, was that of stakeholders' participation and this was where school boards could play a vital role. He feels that every school should have a board of directors in place along with a school improvement plan (SIP) but he noted the inherent difficulty that would arise from coordinating the activities of boards of over 1,000 schools. In visits throughout the country on a familiarisation tour, he observed that when the community is involved schools tended to do better. He cited the example of a school in Region Two where the headmaster was integrally involved in staff development and training. The Parent Teacher Association and community are also actively involved in the school's programmes. |
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May 2001
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Students line up for
autographs from Guyana newest hero - WBC Welterweight champion, Andrew
'Six Heads' Lewis, when he visited the school. |
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| May 7, 2001 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Queen's
College Lad to attend World |
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Mrs. Wendel Roberts, Principal of Queen's College, has extended, on behalf of the staff and students, hearty congratulations to Master Jeremy Jairam, a fourth former of the school, on receiving a scholarship to attend the Third World Scholar-Athlete Games in Rhode Island, USA, June 22-July 1, 2001. The World Scholar-Athlete Games commenced in 1993 and, like the Olympics, is held every four years. It offers scholarships to young students, between the ages of fifteen and nineteen, from all fifty US states and more than one hundred and fifty countries to participate in sports and artistic programmes. Students are selected based on their academic achievements and involvement in the arts and competitive sports. Through the experiences on the playing field, in the studio, in group discussions, in informal gatherings at exciting special events, or on fun-night activities, the Games aim to enable participants to develop understanding, acceptance and friendship with their peers across the world. Fifteen-year-old Jeremy is the fourth Guyanese to attend the Games. He takes to the Games a successful background of academic, sport and musical achievements as well as a sound record of philanthropic activities in Guyana. Jeremy is a second Dan black belt and has represented Guyana in the last two ISKF/JKA Pan American Karate Championships in Mexico 1997 and Barbados 1999, earning a bronze medal in Mexico. In swimming, he has earned titles as National Swimming Champion, National Schools Champion, Club Champion and Inter-Club Champion. Jeremy plays the violin, piano and guitar and is a member of his church's choir. He actively participates in youth development programmes and in fund raising activities for charitable causes. Jeremy has selected Swimming and Symphony from the thirteen Sport and seven Art programmes being offered at the Games. He will participate in team swimming competitions under the guidance of successful coaches. Competition will begin with a round robin format and culminate in a championship tournament. As a young musician, Jeremy will join a full symphony. He will learn about various musical genres, rehearse under the direction of a respected conductor, be part of a recorded production and perform at the Closing Ceremony. All good wishes are
extended to Jeremy from the Principal, staff and students of Queen's
College. Mrs. Roberts has described Jeremy as an exemplary student and
contends that the exposure and experience will serve not only to enhance
his swimming and music abilities, but will strengthen his leadership
skills and confidence. Jeremy is expected to impart much of what he has
learnt to his peers when he returns to Guyana. |
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| January 24, 2001 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Board of Governors Queen’s College PRESS RELEASE More
Books, Equipment and Furniture for Queen’s College |
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The
Board of Governors of Queen’s College will hand over some $1.4 million
dollars worth of books, equipment and furniture for use by students and
teachers of the school on Friday 26 January 2001 at the Queen’s
College compound at 9:30am. Chairman
of the Board of Governors, Mr. Ronald Alli, will deliver the items to
the Headmistress of the school, Mrs. Wendel Roberts. Acquisition
of priority needs
for the school has gained momentum with the establishment of a
Curriculum/Academic Support Sub-Committee of the Board, headed by Mrs.
Dia Persaud. The school’s administration has responded promptly to
requests for submission of needs of the various departments and all
effort is being made to deliver, on a timely basis, the support
materials that will render a more effective and efficient delivery of
the school’s curriculum. Items
will be handed over to the Home Economics and Allied Arts Departments as
well as to the Library. Teachers, too, will be provided with well-needed
chairs. The
equipment and furniture for the Home Economics Department include a gas
range stove, a dinette set, a vanity, a microwave, a food processor and
several kitchen utensils. They are to be put into immediate use by
students currently engaged
in preparation of the School Based Assessments (SBAs) for the CXC
examinations this year. The Allied Arts Department will benefit from
additional tools and materials, including a guillotine, for use by the
students reading for Art and Craft. Further, and fifty essential
textbooks will be added to the library. The
Board wishes to stress its commitment to securing the needs of the
school in a systematic and orderly manner. The Science Department was
fully equipped after the fire in 1997 and there will be continued
acquisitions for the rest of the year in support of the school’s wide
and varied academic programme for its 850 students. It is envisaged that
with the rebuilding of the school and its scheduled completion by
December 2001, the students
of Queen’s College will once again be provided with an environment
fully conducive to learning and to the achievement of excellence. |
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Our makeshift assembly area since the Auditorium was destroyed by the fire |
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Thank
you to Mr. Maloney on his retirement after ** years of service from
the |
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Top
CXC QC
students -
Lower and Upper School with Mrs. W. Roberts - Headmistress |
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Speech Night 1999 |
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Market Day |
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Rocket
scientists in the making |
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