‘We must do what we must do’
Innswood High, Linstead Primary ready to roll
Published:Tuesday | September 5, 2023 | 12:10 AMRuddy Mathison/Gleaner Writer
Despite starting the year with a few vacancies as a result of teacher resignations, Innswood High School Principal Collington Powell is expressing optimism that replacements will be found in short order.
Powell told The Gleaner that his St Catherine-based school was ready for the new academic year as the administration welcomed pupils back with a high level of optimism.
On Monday, Powell noted that his institution was kicking off the year with a gradual grade level-by-grade level reopening, to allow administrators to spot potential challenges early, as opposed to having all the students return at once.
“We think we are very proactive, so, in order to mitigate any potential challenges we decided to have a staggered reopening. So, this morning, we have the grade sevens here, so we can treat with them on a grade basis to iron out those particular issues,” stated Powell.
On the issue of staff complement, he said that while he has lost some teachers to resignations and vacation leave, God has been good to the school.
“Thankfully, we were able to [fill] some of the key vacancies. Even this morning, we interviewed for a music teacher. So we are at a place where we are not badly affected, but there are still a few gaps that we will have to confront before the end of the week,” Powell told The Gleaner yesterday.
He identified mathematics, English language, and social studies as subject areas still needing teachers.
Meanwhile, at the Linstead Primary School where more than 600 students are on roll, Principal Joni Tucker was very upbeat.
“We are off to a good start and while we thought that we would need two grade-five teachers, one who was on leave has indicated that she will return before the end of the week,” Tucker revealed.
“The students are excited to return, so we arranged for the grade ones to come in first. The parents are very supportive, and this helps to minimise the challenges we would normally encounter on opening morning. So in the best interest of the students, we must do what we must do,” Tucker continued.