Left to right: Angela Martins (Ministry Chief Officer),
Mellony Bryan, Mrs. June Elliott and Minister Alden
McLaughlin

Left to right: Angela Martins (Ministry Chief Officer),
Steve Clark, Ian Godet and Minister Alden McLaughlin

Left to right: Minister Alden McLaughlin, Evelyn
Rockett, Lyneth Monteith, and Angela Martins
(Ministry Chief Officer)

Changes to the operation of George Hicks High School has resulted in the appointment of four new School Leader positions which will be at the forefront of plans to modularize the school.

The Ministry of Education and the Department of Education said the appointments follow moves made by the Ministry, the Department and senior staff at George Hicks, to address concerns identified via extensive consultation with staff and students of the school.

The plans provide an answer to urgent issues such as overcrowding and the staggered shift system, while the new schools are under construction.

The solution entails the creation of four new schools from the existing one on the same site. The concept is referred to as ‘schools within schools’ and each will be separate and independent with its own distinct site, identity and leadership. Each school will have its own name, uniform, vision and ethos.

One of the most significant benefits to students of this modular solution is that each school will be limited to a maximum of 250 children, reducing the student population and thereby considerably enhancing the learning experience.

Students of the new schools are certain to benefit also from a clearer focus by senior staff on teaching, learning and attainment. The traditional role of ‘Principal’ will be superseded by that of ‘School Leader’, and will be freed of administrative and routine distractions to concentrate purely on creating the best possible learning experience for students.

The Ministry said its inclusive approach to the development of the ‘schools within schools’ concept for George Hicks has helped secure support for the process from all stakeholder groups.

Gareth Long, Schools Development Advisor for the Ministry, was keen to thank participants for their hard work and contributions.

“Throughout the consultation process there has been very positive support from George Hicks staff, members of which are already actively planning for the new schools,” he said.

“Parental support has also been overwhelming and the Ministry is grateful for the efforts of all who have helped make this project a reality.”

The four teaching professionals who will fill the new ‘School Leader’ positions are long-standing and respected members of Cayman’s education fraternity. Although the search extended beyond George Hicks, each of the new appointees is among the current staff of the school and brings the requisite skills, experience and vision for the task.

Steven Clark, Lyneth Monteith, Marlene Ricketts and June Elliott will be assisted in turn by Deputy School Leaders, Ian Godet, Evelyn Rockett, Brad Taylor and Mellony Bryan.

“I am very excited about being chosen as a School Leader,” said Mr Clark.

“ I appreciate that it is going to be a very challenging position but I am confident that with the support of my excellent team we will provide an exciting, stimulating and enjoyable learning experience for our students.”

Ms Ricketts also said she was excited to be chosen as a leader for one of the new schools. “It offers me a great opportunity to actively contribute to the changes that are taking place in our school system.”

The Minister of Education, Training, Employment, Youth, Sports & Culture, Hon Alden McLaughlin, attended the meeting at George Hicks High School at which the new appointments were announced before the entire school staff.

“I am thrilled by the enthusiasm and creativity demonstrated by these individuals. This innovative approach to the provision of student-focused learning centers presents each of our new school leaders with an exciting opportunity to make great strides in education in Cayman,” the Minister said.

“I think the inevitable competition between schools will inspire great things from staff and students alike!”

The new ‘schools within schools’ concept was developed locally in consultation with Professor Stephen Heppell, an internationally recognized authority on school and classroom design, as well as innovations in education. Following his initial visit in February, Professor Heppell returned to the Cayman Islands earlier this month to assist with developments in education.