Times of the Islands Summer 2016

More documents

Recommendations

Info

KRYS & GRACE MANN From top: Each student at the TCI Middle School is assigned a personal netbook/laptop which can be used in all lessons. TCI Middle School facilities include a well-equipped Science lab. The periodical table at back was painted by students. With small class sizes (a maximum of 12 students per year group), TCI Middle School students get individual attention from teachers and find it easy to interact with each other. room and stage area at Provo Primary will continue to be accessed. Outdoor learning will include an aquaponics area for gardening, with the added benefit of being right on Flamingo Lake for extracurricular and Environmental Science activities. TCI Middle School was opened in 2010 as the first true “Middle School” in Providenciales, encompassing Years (grades) 7 to 9. It has since grown to now offer the full “High School” age range (Years 7 to 11), offering an International curriculum based on an adapted British National Curriculum in Years 7 to 9, then the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) course of study in Years 9 to 11. Like the British West Indies Collegiate, it is a fully accredited exam centre for IGCSE awards, enabling students to leave in Year 11 with an internationally recognized qualification. TCI Middle School’s central location on Leeward Highway below Richmond Hills offers easy access to the small, comfortable campus. Mark Dunbavand is its founder, principal, and a teacher—a professional who is clearly passionate about education. He says, “The school began as a response to the need for more options for an international education after Primary School. We started with only eight students, three in Year 7 and five in Year 8. We have grown steadily— we currently have 41 students on roll, rising to more than 50 next year. However, we are small by design; there is a maximum of 12 students per year group in order to facilitate individualized learning. With this number, we can give each student individual attention; challenging and stretching the more able as well as supporting those who need it.” Principal Dunbavand believes that students need to be challenged academically and they should thrive in the right environment. His school clearly offers a calm, familial atmosphere, with highly qualified teachers, all with international experience, teaching their specialist subjects with all the equipment required to “get kids excited” about learning. Facilities include a well-equipped Science lab for courses in Chemistry, Physics, and Biology. Multimedia presenters are standard in every room and half of the classrooms have interactive whiteboards. All students are also assigned a personal netbook/laptop which can be used in all lessons. As the whole school is has Wi-Fi coverage, any room can be turned into an ICT lab at any time. At TCI Middle School, students are very involved in community activities, including projects through links with the Department of Environment and Maritime Affairs and the recent “TCI Shines” road clean-up campaign. 44 www.timespub.tc
Students are taught responsibility and through the School Council have a say in the development of the school— including areas to be expanded, resources to be bought, and even, initially, in choosing their school uniform! Mr. Dunbavand notes that as part of the school’s ongoing development they are opening a Year 6 for September 2016. “Our students come to us from many different primary schools and therefore, have very different prior learning experiences. Our Year 6 would enable us to help them all become more independent learners so they are more fully prepared for the academic challenges ahead and provide a smooth transition into Year 7.” My visit to the British West Indies Collegiate on Venetian Road made it clear why parents and students strive to attend. It is the only school of its kind in Turks & Caicos offering an International Advanced (A) Level program that provides the necessary qualifications for access to university. This allows Belongers and other residents to complete their secondary education will remaining in the Islands. It encourages young people to return to TCI after completing university, able and willing to contribute to the country’s future development. The school also plays a vital role in attracting key workers from abroad. BWIC’s stated goal is to “provide our students with a progressive academic education in a safe and stimulating environment, place them in the best possible universities worldwide, and will them to become young citizens with a responsible, honest, and altruistic character and respect for the world in which we live.” The 12 acre campus contains well equipped classrooms, a science block with separate laboratories for Biology, Chemistry and Physics, a large IT lab, a huge library, an art room, a dedicated music room, and Brayton Hall, a state-of-the-art auditorium. The school also makes use of the National Stadium at its flank for track and field and other sporting events. The not-for-profit BWIC, which opened its doors in 1993, has been run by the formidable Principal Sylvie Wigglesworth since 1995 (she now attends to the education of the children of former students!) A no-nonsense administrator, Principal Wigglesworth is obviously respected (with a touch of fear) by students and teachers, but I sense a kind, caring soul who only wants the best for all. In fact, to date the BWIC has a 100% success rate for securing university places for students completing the Advanced Level program, with no dropouts from university programs in its history. Admission to BWIC in Years 6 or 7 requires that students take the collegiate’s entrance exam, with top performers following up with an interview. Successful From top: Part of the mission of the British West Indies Collegiate (BWIC) is promoting fellowship, co-operation, and a sense of loyalty. BWIC student Achsah Wildish (far right) is recognized with an Outstanding Cambridge Learner Award – Top of the World AS-Level Mathematics. The BWIC’s new music room, adjacent to the auditorium, is fitted with acoustic tiles and storage space for instruments. Here, a music class is enthusiastically led by Branford Handfield. DAPHNE ROOTS Times of the Islands Summer 2016 45
Page 1 and 2: TIMES OF THE SAMPLING THE SOUL OF T
Page 3 and 4: Happily ever after starts here. Cel
Page 5 and 6: The cool side of classic. 7 2 W E S
Page 7 and 8: Turks And Caicos TurksAndCaicosProp
Page 9 and 10: VOTED WORLD’S BEST ALL-INCLUSIVE
Page 12 and 13: WHERE EXCLUSIVE IS ALWAYS INCLUSIVE
Page 14 and 15: RASHAWDESIGNS.com TIMES MANAGING ED
Page 16 and 17: At press time (late May), Mario is
Page 18 and 19: Mario tackled the mighty Indian Oce
Page 20 and 21: green pages newsletter of the depar
Page 32 and 33: 32 www.timespub.tc
Page 34 and 35: 34 www.timespub.tc
Page 36 and 37: I first came to Grand Turk 22 years
Page 38 and 39: CLAIRE PARRISH
Page 40 and 41: In the TCI, students attend primary
Page 42 and 43: CLAIRE PARRISH Grade 6 students at
Page 46 and 47: The longest established legal pract
Page 49 and 50: usiness Opposite page and above: Th
Page 51 and 52: Green Energy (UGE) and local partne
Page 53 and 54: astrolabe newsletter of the Turks &
Page 65 and 66: sporting life DIGITAL HANDPRINT Opp
Page 67 and 68: Local swim schools, TCI government
Page 69 and 70: JILL SWANN This group of Oseta Joll
Page 71 and 72: shape up Footprints in the sand By
Page 73: faces and places Above from left: K
Page 76 and 77: Our journey starts at Providenciale
Page 78 and 79: INNOVATION | CONSERVATION | ADVENTU
Page 80 and 81: about the Islands Map provided cour
Page 82 and 83: about the Islands approval in writi
Page 84 and 85: and loose pants for men, with straw
Page 86 and 87: H H H H H H H H H H H H H where to
Page 88 and 89: Greenbean — Harbour Town at Turtl
Page 90: classified ads SeaSwim change class

Times of the Islands Summer 2016

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?