Rhodes Hall High takes pride in achievements

Karrie Williams, Gleaner Writer

WESTERN BUREAU:Rhodes Hall High School in Hanover is one of the best-kept schools in western Jamaica.

With more than 1,000 students enrolled, the school is able to maintain immaculate surroundings, an achievement, according to principal, Loreen Aljoe, that earned the recognition of both the current minister of education, Ronald Thwaites, and his predecessor, Andrew Holness.

During a visit to the school, Aljoe explained to Western Focus the fundamental principles that have resulted in the unpolluted state of her school's compound.

"From the beginning, we established ownership and we said to the students and workers: 'This is your home away from home,' so we have a family-type setting where we clean up and we maintain the school," Aljoe said.

The principal pointed out that there were rules that were regularly communicated to the students along with the consequences for breaking them.

She stated further that indiscipline was not tolerated on any level and that her students were taught to have respect for all adults working on the school's compound. As such, the students were well aware that their actions were always closely monitored.

"As it relates to the students, we have zero tolerance on discipline and we have communicated to students that any adult (working on the school compound) is a responsible adult and is responsible for training that particular child."

one vision

Aljoe explained: "I have all the staff members buying into that vision, so it's almost easy because if a child does something, an adult, be it a cleaner or groundsman, is responsible for disciplining that child. So in terms of discipline, we have teachers, admin, and ancillary staff all on board."

In addition to its clean surroundings, the usual rowdiness that would sometimes be experienced upon visiting a primary or secondary school was noticeably absent from Rhodes Hall, giving further credence to Aljoe's claim regarding the discipline of her students.

But it is not just cleanliness that sets Rhodes Hall High apart from other schools. The institution is also performing well in other areas, winning the 2013 award for Best High School Group Project. The students won for their creation of a de-feathering machine. The school also placed second and third, respectively, in the Scientific Research Council's science competition for 2013.