BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - The St. Theresa’s Convent School and ‘Roman’ School are now no more. In their places is a spanking new and impressive educational facility called the Immaculate Conception Catholic School (ICCS) which caters to students from Kindergarten to CXC level, and tuition could include a pre-college summer programme.
Many have oohed and ahh-ed at the impressive new structures which run from George Street spanning the entire block up to the Cayon Street/Pond Road… sharing space only with the Catholic Church on East Square Street. Few, until now, have been able to venture inside to satisfy their curiosity and compare its offerings with those of other schools.
Last week, SKNVibes accepted an invitation to tour the School and to get answers to what the School is providing, how it is run and how it was able to provide what other financially strapped schools in the Federation could not.
Uppermost in the mind of this writer on entering the compound were the results of an opinion survey done some twenty years ago with the Sixth Form students at the Basseterre High School.
Students were asked: “What would you look for in a good school?” The answers were placed in three categories – Category 1: Basic requirements cited by over 50% of the students; Category 2: Features cited by 25-50% of the students; Category 3: Features cited by under 25% of the students.
For purposes of assessing ICCS through the eyes of the student, we need only use Category 1 which lists ten features. One does wonder whether present day students would list the same priorities.
Here then is the list given in order of popularity, with the most popular listed first:-
1. An adequate number of well-trained teachers. At ICCS there are 38 teachers catering to a role of approximately 450 students. Not all teachers are trained although this is the goal of the School. However, ICCS explained that not wanting to dismiss any teacher as a result of the transition, they took years of experience into consideration and they are satisfied that experience has been a worthwhile substitute for training.
2. Good sporting facilities and a wide comprehensive sports curriculum. ICCS believes that “developing the “WHOLE” child is critical in the educational process. This includes the spiritual, social, artistic, physical, and academic arenas”. To this end, ICCS has bought a few house plots adjacent to the school on Stainforth Street and is in the process of developing a basketball and tennis court as well as a gym and “footsol”.
3. Good physical facilities or infrastructure. ICCS scored extremely well in this area. There are roomy comfortable buildings with spacious classrooms – all air-conditioned – and well equipped with furniture and teaching aids. Electricity – lighting seemed quite adequate (no generators yet, however) and by having a Plant manager on the Staff no doubt ensure that the facility will be adequately maintained. Cleaners were also spotted during the day making sure that the site remains spotless. A Sick Bay ensures that students have adequate care when not feeling up to mark.
4. A large well stocked library. Though this may not remain a priority in an internet world where knowledge is only a google-click away, nevertheless ICCS has an entire building dedicated as a Resource Centre. It is named the Laurie Mezzalingua Resource Centre – “Laurie Anne Mezzalingua led the family's involvement in Immaculate Conception Catholic School. The family funding began with a building to house a library and learning studies programs, appropriately named by her family The Laurie Mezzalingua Resource Center”.
It is from this initial building came a commitment from Laurie and her family (the owners of the local Kajola Kristada business) to build a new school on the existing property.
5. Clean, attractive surroundings. Again ICCS scored extremely well in this area. There was a friendly, refreshing atmosphere congenial to study and it is obvious that janitorial services were well coordinated. A new system of drainage ensures that flooding does not occur on the school grounds when there is excessive rain.
6. A wide range of subjects. Apart from the normal core subjects of English, Maths and History and languages; also offered are Science subjects like Chemistry, Integrated Science, Biology/Human and Social Biology, Agricultural Science. Then there are the practical subjects like Home Economics, Office Administration, Principles of Business, Principles of Accounts, Home Economics and Information Technology. Physical Education has also become a part of the curriculum. Family Life, Visual Arts and the Performing Arts are also added in some Forms. The range of subjects is indeed wide.
7. Good toilet facilities. These were excellent causing one member of the tour group to remark, “It’s great to see clean toilets in a school!”
8. A strict and respected principal. The students surveyed indicated that the principal should be one who understands the points of view of staff and students and who is a competent leader. The present principal is Mr. Sidney Osborne who has had a long career in education. He is the former principal of the Basseterre High School and former Permanent Secretary in Education. He has also had much experience in management and leadership. He once headed the Port Authority during the time of the former administration and led the People’s Action Movement as its Chairman.
9. Good teacher/pupil relationship. Hard to assess but what we saw was certainly impressive.
10. A high standard of discipline. Contrary to popular opinion, a high standard of discipline can and is being achieved without the need for corporal punishment which is not practiced in this school.
These then were the ten priorities students felt should be included in a good school. Not only did ICCS score very favourably on all ten points but they also scored highly on many features listed in categories 2 and 3. These were well-equipped laboratories, guidance counseling, family life education, computer studies, a sick room, religious teaching or moral instruction, daily devotions and lockers available for students.
It is most amusing that the surveyed students wished to see telephones in school corridors… they would never have envisaged that we would now have telephones in every pocket!
Inadequate financing is usually a big barrier to providing what is necessary in many of our schools. How then does ICCS manage?
We were told that fees contribute only 60% of the funds required hence fundraising is an integral part of the school’s administration. To this end, a Business and Development Manager, Mrs. Krista James has been recruited as a permanent staff member. She is hoping to enlist the help of the vast number of past students at home and abroad to bolster her efforts.
With Hope and a motto like "Nothing is Impossible with God" or in Latin: "Nihil imposibile apud Deum" we are sure to see ICCS move on to a very successful future. Much more can be learnt about their offerings and vision by going to their website http://www.iccs-stkitts.org/. There you will also find its handbook and newsletters.
