Open Day returns to Guy's Hill High
Published:Saturday | May 11, 2013 | 12:00 AM
Karen Sudu, Gleaner Writer
GUY'S HILL, St Catherine:
AFTER SEVERAL years' absence, Open Day returned to Guy's Hill High School, St Catherine, under the theme 'Promoting Excellence Through Collaborative Effort'.
The activity, which got under way recently with the parade of clubs and uniformed groups and a flag-raising ceremony, showcased the work of students and teachers in various departments.
"I can't recall the last time we had Open Day, probably from I was a student, but I always liked it because the students got the opportunity to explain what they have been learning over the years and so on," former deputy head girl now principal, Joan Davis told The Gleaner.
Davis, who taught at the institution founded in 1971, for many years, assumed the role of principal at the start of this academic year. She said she penned Open Day on the calendar of events for 2013 from last August.
"This year, we decided to work along with the primary schools in the area because we wanted it to be a collaborative effort, so we invited all these feeder schools to be a part of it," said Davis.
Creativity and knowledge
The students were energised and anxious to show off their creativity and knowledge not only through their exhibits, but also as tour guides for the day's proceedings.
"The students were given the assignment to create a logo for sun, sand and sea resort - we wanted to create a lobby for a hotel, so I had the students doing work that you would normally see in a lobby at a hotel," explained Kimone Leon, visual arts teacher.
In fact, several souvenir items including photo frames made from tree barks, dolls, candles, bedside lamps and place mats created by students in the visual arts department, evoked expressions of appreciation and commendation for their teachers.
"To be honest, this thing to me spells creativity and looking at these things, I believe that Guy's Hill High School teachers know how to get the best out of their students," Jacqueline Black-Walker, a parent remarked, while Chavan Pottinger explained what was used to make the place mats to her.
One of the stellar attractions was the wide range of fresh produce, vegetables and cash crops, as well as livestock displayed by the agriculture department.
Blondell Thomas, agricultural science teacher, told The Gleaner the institution boasts a proud record in the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate passes.
"We have an average of about 30 students at the exam level and we have been getting about 95 to 100 per cent pass each year," he said.
Peta-Gay McIndoe, a fourth-former, is working to be listed among those who continue to excel in the option.
"From I was introduced to the subject, I have been doing well and I love it. Agriculture is very important to us as a nation because we all need to eat and without food, we won't survive," she stated.
The social science department, under the guidance of Viviene Buddo, ensured that a number of artefacts such as the self-heater iron, the lantern and the water jar, as well as traditional foods, were on show.
Likewise, visitors found favour with the Marva Gobern-led language department, which incorporated Spanish exhibits and the electrical and woodwork units spearheaded by Kevin Reynolds and Edward Taylor, respectively.
On the other hand, the guidance and counselling unit, staffed by Kevin Sewell and Tanniece Flemmings, mounted an educational display geared specifically towards sexual awareness.
"We are educating the students about safe sex, the different sexually transmitted infections that they can contract from having unprotected sex," Sewell explained.
Parents like Sashana Daley welcomed the move by the school to include an exhibition on sex education in the Open Day activities.
"We know that some of them are having sex, so therefore showing them the right way how to protect themselves is a good thing because at the end of the day, we can't stop them, but we can help them to protect themselves," she noted.
PHOTOS BY KAREN SUDU