Student Affairs II

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THE MINISTER’S CUP SCHOOLS BEAUTIFICATION

The Students Affairs Section has responsibility for organizing the Annual Schools Beautification Competition among the public schools.  The main objective of the competition is to instill in students a sense of pride in their surroundings.  This is mainly done by planting trees and flowers in their school gardens to beautify the environment.  At a set time,  each school is judged by a team of judges and winners are chosen in three (3) categories.  They are Senior High, Junior High and Primary schools.  Winners are awarded trophies during a ceremony.

THE NATIONAL SPELLING BEE COMPETITION

The National Spelling Bee Competition has  been in Bahamian Schools since 1996, but this year 2008 marks eighty-one (81) years worldwide. It is the academic event of the school year.

The series of competitions is designed for students in grades 5 – 8 beginning at the classroom level. It progresses onto school, district, national and international levels. This gives all eligible students an equal opportunity to achieve excellence in a fundamental, though often uninteresting, subject-Spelling. The winner of this prestigious event has the distinct honour of representing our country at the Scripps Howard National Spelling Bee competition in Washington, D.C.

  
STUDENT COUNCIL

Student councils were established in all High Schools by the school year 1988 – 1989. The purpose of the Student Council shall be as follows :

1. Act as a liaison between the students, faculty and administration, therefore fostering a working relationship among them.
   
   
2. Provide a learning experience for the students through various activities and functions.
   
   
3. Act as the official representative body of opinions and attitudes of the students, thereby providing a forum for the free expression of student ideas and constructive suggestions.
   
   
4. Meet the needs of the student body by acting as a peer counseling for students in need of counseling.
   
   
5. Assist with the enforcement of school rules and regulations.
   
   
6. Act as the regulatory body for all student-oriented clubs on campus.
   
   
7. Strive for good citizenship.

Respect all individuals in the school and community.

 -   A register should be established for trained pastors who participate in this type of work;

-   A Chaplain should be assigned in all schools

-   Guidelines should also be established for Chaplains.

STUDENT RECORDS

Scholastic and academic records such as confidential cards and transfer slips from New Providence and Family Island schools are sent to this section.  These records are organized, computerized, packaged and sent to the Testing and Evaluation Section or to the relevant schools. As these records facilitate the smooth transition of the students in the school system, special efforts are made to channel them to the appropriate schools.

STUDENTS EXCHANGE AND VISITS/ STUDENTS STUDYING AT COB AND ABROAD

This section continues to play its part in the area of student exchange and visits.  Family Island students often submit requests to visit The Governor General.  The Student Affairs Section makes the necessary arrangements for transportation and provides scheduled itineraries.

The office continues to provide students with information on Bahamian culture and the structure of the Bahamian Educational System. 

The Spelling Bee Competition has become a prominent occasion in the lives of our students and has done much to elevate the spirit of keen competition.  This is evident amongst the participants, coaches, teachers, principals, district superintendents and the community at large.                                                                                    

 
ASSISTANCE TO INDEPENDENT SCHOOL STUDENTS

AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMMES

 Comprehensive after-school programmes that emphasize healthy educational experiences for all students are necessary if we are to :

The general objective is to develop and implement  supervised after-school activities of the various agencies, increasing access to a broader range of educational, cultural, recreational and character building.

The programme focuses on the following areas :

• Value Education/Spiritual Enrichment
• Tutoring and Supplementing Instruction in Basic Skills
• Drug/violence prevention counseling
• Youth leadership activities (clubs, Boys Scouts, etc.)
• Supervised recreational and athletic programmes
• Volunteer and community service
• College awareness and preparation
• Homework centers
• Arts/Culture enrichment
• Computer instruction/Technology literacy
• ESL instruction
• Mentoring
• Activities linked to law enforcement
• Employment and training                                       

THE STUDENT CHRISTIAN MOVEMENT (S.C.M.)

The S.C.M. in the schools is a part of the After-School Programme with the same general objectives.  However, the specific objectives of the S.C.M. are different by nature, that is, primarily to promote faith formation and character development.

The goals and objectives are as follows:

• Set a goal for a National Chaplain’s Organization;
• Seek to establish a Student Christian Movement (SCM) in all
• Government Schools and encourage Independent Schools to do
  the same;                       
• Place S.C.M. under the same umbrella of the Ministry of
  Education in conjunction with The Bahamas Christian Council;
• S.C.M. should be structured for faith formation, character‹
  developmentand community volunteer service;
• Provisions for a seed grant or stipend should be made to assists
  schools in establishing and maintaining StudentChristian Movements;
• To involve trained full-time pastors who would provide counseling/ supervision in the schools;
• Churches should adopt schools that are located in their zones and surrounding area

ART AND CRAFT CENTRE (Wulff Road)