One of the most wide-ranging and instructive reports to have been delivered on secondary education in Anguilla has been attributed to the Principal of the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School, Mrs. Ingrid Lake.

Children in song at Speech Night

The occasion was Speech Night 2009 at the Rodney MacArthur Rey Auditorium on December 10, in the presence of a capacity crowd of students, their parents, Government and education officials and other persons in the public and private sectors. The report spanned the management and functioning of the school, the various challenges encountered, the performance of students in the classrooms and in examinations, discipline, initiatives undertaken by the school, teaching and other resources, as well as a number of other areas of operation.

The report also included a number of concerns. Of great concern she said was a lack of appreciation for school property. She explained that this was evident by the deliberate destruction and defacing of property, a lack of environmental awareness as evidenced by persistent littering and a misuse of vital pieces of equipment designed to enhance the teaching/learning process.

Children in song at Speech Night

In her conclusion, she stated in part: “Management of any school is challenging. As managers, once we have accepted that reality, the task will become easier. We must endeavour to continue practicing the values of commitment, honesty, tolerance and understanding. Focusing on the positives will provide the energy, motivation and inspiration to move forward. Our greatest task continues to be changing the warped concept that formal education is not important. It is a concept that has been ingrained in many of our young people, directly and indirectly, by societal practices and values. The school should no longer be seen as a daycare centre for teenagers, but a haven where learning is of paramount importance and where excellence in all areas is encouraged.”

She offered a number of recommendations to meet the challenges of the 21st century. Among them, she said, there was a need for teachers to increase their sense of professionalism, deepen their commitment and become even more determined to work together, and with stakeholders, to enhance learning and empower Anguilla’s young people. In addition, they should be engaged in more effective planning and delivery which must incorporate the various levels of comprehension, thereby enhancing students’ critical thinking skills.

The ability to analyse and synthesize are critical to ensuring success at the highest level,” Mrs. Lake continued. “Whenever possible, increase the use of ICT as a teaching /learning tool; employ strategies to motivate students to develop a keener interest in their own development and to assume responsibility for their learning, and develop increased interest in the general welfare of our students.”

One of the students receiving certificate award

She called on students to become more cognisant of the importance and dire need to terminate a lackadaisical approach, consistent procrastination, failure to complete assignments and a reluctance to read. Mrs. Lake encouraged parents to increase their involvement in their children’s education.

“Parents must increase their involvement in their children’s education,” she added. “While the provision of learning tools is vital, they must ensure that these tools are effectively used. This can be done through increased interaction with both children and teachers.”

Some of the Officials and Teachers at the function

The Principals’ report was hailed as a comprehensive presentation by the chairman of the proceedings, Modern Language Teacher and Journalist, Whaldama Brooks (Ras B), who was called out (from retirement from the school) to continue his teaching service.
The programme was interspersed by various presentations by the school’s bands and choir. Awards were distributed to 70 students for outstanding academic performance during the past year; 10 for outstanding athletic performance and 12 for extra-curricular activities including the Junior Debating Club, the Modern Languages Club, the Debating Society, Environmental Club, Anguilla Pepper Steppers and the Investigators Club.

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