Glengoffe High School gets wellness centre

RJR Group renovates facility as part of Labour Day project

Karen Sudu, Gleaner Writer

GLENGOFFE, St Catherine:

MANAGING DIRECTOR of RJR Communications Group, Gary Allen, has implored administrators at Glengoffe High School to define the institution's mission, as it embarks on a programme of transformation.

The 43-year-old St Catherine-based institution, named as one of four failing schools last year under the previous administration, is now on a change path to shed its demeaning label.

"Define what it is that you are going to set as your goals for transformation, show how those goals will actually transform - will they double your passes in x subjects, will they put out graduates that 75 per cent get the jobs of their choice, or the next institution of their choice, will they make the demand for places for Glengoffe be 25 per cent oversubscribed, as at year three, because this place is a place that people want to come to now," said Allen.

He was speaking recently at the official handover ceremony of a health and wellness centre, which the corporate giant renovated as its Labour Day project earlier this year.

In addition to renovating the building, formerly the principal's cottage, the media conglomerate also donated two computers, two beds and other items critical to the operation of the facility.

In the meantime, Dr Mary Clarke, director, region six, in the Ministry of Education, lauded RJR Communications Group for opting to play a critical role in the school's programme of transformation.

involvement of all

"It is really a part of the partnership that the ministry is really pushing for, and we are very happy to see that we have the involvement of all stakeholders, private, government agencies, everybody working together for the improvement in the education system," she told the audience.

Vice-principal Heather Grizzle, who acted as principal at the time of the initiation of the partnership between the institution and the RJR Group, described the intervention as timely.

She told The Gleaner that the facility, which will house the nurse, guidance counsellors and the dean of discipline, will undoubtedly impact the institution in a positive manner.

As part of its transformation programme, the institution abandoned the shift system and instituted an extended day time table on September 3.

rural@gleanerjm.com