Master of Ceremony – Mr Andrew McBean Co-ordinator, Honourable Gail Teixeira – Political Advisor to the President, Honourable Sheik Baksh _ Minister of Education – Mr Winston – Deputy Permanent Secretary (Finance) Mrs Genevieve Whyte-Nedd – Chief Education Officer, Mr Vibert Hart – Co-ordinator of School Boards, Representatives of the Alumuni Chapters of New York and Toronto and other past students, Mrs Marilyne Trotz – Chairperson of St Rose’s High School Board, other members of the Board, teachers, students, and other officials of the school, parents, friends, well-wishers and last but definitely not least, the graduating class of 2007.
On this momentous and auspicious occasion, I am indeed delighted to see so many smiling faces here in this gathering. This is a testimony to the fact that you are here to share the Moment of Glory with our proud graduands of this afternoon’s proceedings. They have indeed set very high standards for their successors to achieve – a Customary Act at St Rose’s High School.
ENROLEMENT
At the commencement of last academic year September 2006 to July 2007 there was a total enrolment of 516 students i.e. 204 boys and 312 girls. 94 students were admitted in the 1 st forms which is now known as Grade seven (7) and forty-seven (47) students were also admitted to the lower sixth form now known as Grade twelve (12).
STAFFING
The academic year September 2006 to July 2007 began with the already installed Board of Governor who was charged with the responsibility of advertising for interviewing and recommending staff to the Minister of Education for appointment. The majority of those recommendations were accepted and thus the following allocations were made to further compliment both full-time and part-time disciplines. The full-time appointments were Mrs Grace Jackman-Sinclair – Senior Mistress, and teacher of Social Studies, Caribbean Studies and Sociology, Mrs Sheron Archer – Head of the Home Economics Department, Mrs Estherine Adams – Senior Assistant Mistress and member of the Social Studies Department, Mr Colin Cramer of the Mathematics Department, Evelina Singh of the English and Science Department, Juliet Lucas and Sherwyn Blackman of the Agricultural Department, Yvonne Harris of the Spanish Department, Aileen Carmichael Head of Department for the Visually Impaired Unit, Mrs Claire George and Mr Renaeto Yearwood in the Industrial Arts Department and Mrs Norma Hughes in the Business Department.
Mrs Onica Roberts, Mr John Dolphin, Mr Lyndon Younge and Ms Nini Ozase all tendered their resignations.
With the advent of the Board of Governors, commonly known as the School Board, St Rose’s has a boost of fourteen (14) Trained Graduate Teachers, 6 Untrained Graduates, 6 Trained Teachers/or Assistant Master/Mistress. Administrative experience ranged from 1 to 25 years. The administrative staff meeting on a regular basis to address the needs of the school and to discuss staff accomplishments. All teachers were encouraged to attend seminars, workshop and meetings organized by the Ministry of Education, which assisted in their professional growth and offered opportunities to improve their skills. Special attention was also given to the pastoral care of the students, for example, listening to their problems and helping to find solutions.
CURRICULUM
The major curriculum is broken up into ten disciplines namely mathematics. Language Arts, Social Studies, Natural Sciences, Agricultural Science, Visual Arts, Home Economics, Modern Languages, Industrial Arts and Business Studies. The Unit for Visually Impaired is a semi-automous body, which operates under the umbrella of St Rose’s High School.
The curriculum of St Rose’s High is constantly examined to determine its appropriateness in matching the mission of the school. Each year the achievement of each department is assessed by the knowledge of students at various levels against the stated objectives. If the more than thirty (30) subject areas being (offered) in the school, twenty-five (25) subject were offered in the fifth year at the CSEC level, ten (10) of the these were offered at the CAPE and six (6) at the EDEXCEL levels. The Physical Education Department of St Rose’s High School offered for the first time Physical Education at the CSEC level of seven (7) students who wrote the subject. Five of them gained Grade ones with distinction.
CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES
During the year in review, our students participated in various activities organized by the Ministry of Education and other agencies. They attended the Crusade on the revival of Moral Standards organized by the welfare Section of the Ministry of Education, the Rotary Career Fair. Students of the third form level were addressed by officials of the Health Section of the Georgetown Municipality.
Students also attended the Craft-festa exhibition held at Umana Yana, the Annual Carol service organized by the Guyana Association of Modern language Teachers and the AIDS Youth Fair.
Our teachers attended various workshops sponsored by the Ministry of Education, the Guyana Association of Modern Language Teachers, the Venezuelan Institute. Some teachers also participated in a workshop for coping with the situation of the Visually Impaired, and one teacher attended a week-end immension programme sponsored by GAMLAT. Cricket and basketball continued to be popular among the students. It is worthy to mention that Geron Williams – our student is a national cyclist. Natalie Cummings participated in table tennis at the international level.
The Science students went on their usual Ecology and Agricultural Science field-trips which are used as a medium for getting information for School Based Assessment projects.
The school year 2006-2007 saw the establishment of a Literary Club.
The Bible Club and the Hindu Society continue to function during the year/ the Islamic Society however became dormant with the departure of the co-ordinator.
In the month of December, the Annual Old Folks party took place. From as early as September many seniors came enquiring when tickets would be issued. It was, however, impossible to cater for as many persons as would have liked to be a part of this event. The students, parents, teachers, organizations and private citizens all contributed to making the occasion memorable for the Senior Citizens.
Our school’s choir has been revitalized, thanks to the kind consideration of Mrs Rosumond Addo , Board of Govenor member, who worked beyond the normal call of duty to have this group sang SERVIAM as of the golden days of St Rose’s High School.
THE BOARD OF THE ALUMUNI CHAPTERS OF NEW YORK AND TORONTO
The chairperson of the Board of Governors has already elaborated on the many other contributions from the Board and the Alumuni Chapter of New York and Toronto.
To the Board, I say a sincere thank you I mean it sincerely when I say I could not have asked for a more vibrant and inspiring group of individuals to guide me along the minefield that was to follow as we tried to get the balance between tradition and innovation.
To the Alumunis of New York and Toronto, you have inspired the young minds of St Rose High School to ‘Reach the starts’. You raised monies for all of our needs, you staged social events that many organizers would struggle to even imagine. You have also inspired their young minds to grow in confidence, capability and compassion.
A special thank you to the Alumuni of New York Chapter for the continued scholarship awards and contribution of trophies, which they are here to present this evening through Ms. Mary Jagdeo-Ferreira.
Our sincere gratitude go out to those businesses and organizations and individuals, that have made this evening exercise a success, those who have contributed to the positive growth of our school, especially those who have contributed significantly I making our Garden Party of 2007 a success. Heartfelt thanks to those who made our Annual Old Folks Party a success bringing cheer to our senior citizens, we are indeed looking forward for your support this year.
Thank you Digicel for your donation of ten trophies. To the Ministry of Education, we are indeed grateful for the renovation of our school building, we are more comfortable now.
THE SISTERS OF THE URSULINE CONVENT
The Sisters of the Ursuline Convent continued to give us their unstinted support, which includes many voluntary sessions of Moral Education each week. I would like to register our appreciation to the Sisters of the Ursuline Convent for constantly praising this institution for reduce noise level, the improved standard of performance and discipline and their words of encouragement for our efforts. Thank you Sisters of the Ursuline Convent.
To you Graduands of 2007, last year I gave very good advice to the Graduands. I treat you no different this year so to you I say again spread your wings, but in so doing you must initiate good things. Lead by example, serve with distinction, and be satisfied only with your best efforts. Make your parents proud; make your school proud; make your community proud. Be a role model for the young people of Guyana. Continue to uphold the tradition of Excellence in all your future endeavours.
The support you gave the staff and your classmates while you were here is greatly valued. Let the spirit of Serviam be alive in all your endeavours.
I now present to you the percentage passes for this year 2007 examinations in alphabetical order (start with subjects).
Percentage of students passed at CSEC 2007 Examinations
Subject |
% Pass |
| Agri. Science |
100% |
| Biology |
95% |
| Caribbean History |
80% |
| Chemistry |
80% |
| Economics |
57% |
| English A |
90% |
| English B |
76% |
| Food & Nutrition |
98% |
| French |
42% |
| Geography |
94% |
| Home Management |
100% |
| Human & Social Biology |
92% |
| Integrated Science |
100% |
| Mathematics |
80% |
| Office Administration |
100% |
| Physical Education |
100% |
| Physics |
48% |
| Principles of Accounts |
100% |
| Principles of Business |
100% |
| Social Studies |
100% |
| Spanish |
77% |
| Technical Drawing |
76% |
| Visual Arts |
100% |
CAPE 2007 Percentage passes from Grades 1-V
Subject |
% Pass |
| Economics Unit 1 |
100% |
| Caribbean Studies |
100% |
| Communication Studies |
100% |
| Statistics – Grade 1 |
100% |
| Sociology Unit 2 |
100% |
| Accounts |
68% |
| Law Unit 1 |
54% |
| Law Unit 2 |
100% |
| Environmental Science |
100% |
| Sociology Unit 2 |
100% |
| Economics Unit 2 |
100% |
| Pure Mathematics |
100% |
| History Unit 1 |
100% |
