Exemplary School Partnerships

Sharing Our ExperienceWilliam Knibb Alumni

Association Kingston Chapter

The Adopt-a-Class Programme –

William Knibb Memorial High School

The Jamaica Teachers’ Association International Education Conference 2014

April 22-24,2014

Hilton Rose HallMontego Bay, Jamaica

Revolutionizing the 21st Century Education System

Through Best Practices

Presented byEllis James Laing

President

William KnibbAlumni AssociationKingston Chapter

Outline

Genesis of the ProgrammeRationaleScopeHow Undertaken – ActivitiesChallengesBenefits

Genesis of the ProgrammeRooted in Aims of AlumniTo give tangible

assistance to the school’s development;

To seek to mentor and mould students into thoughtful well rounded leaders of the community & society;

To liaise with the school’s several stakeholders, including administration, staff and students and other chapters to foster meaningful relationships;

To foster and encourage a positive image of the school community

Genesis of the ProgrammeThe Association...wanted to make contributions that went

beyond cash to special one-off projects or to infrastructural development

...wanted to go beyond the routine gifts to sports, culture, special days etc.

...wanted a project that would be holistic in nature, meaningful to beneficiaries and impacting a lifetime

and based on thatConceptualized the Adopt-a-Class One for

Five Project

Genesis of the Programme

In conceptualizing the Adopt-a-Class One for Five Project the Association considered the African proverb:

“It takes a Village to raise a Child”

which gave rise to serious contemplation of the word ADOPT

Genesis of the Programme

ADOPT

Adopt, verb1. legally take another’s child and bring it

up as one’s own2. choose to take up or follow (an idea,

method, or course of action)Synonyms – embrace, take on, affect,

assume

ScopeAdopt-a-Class Five for One Project seeks to positively impact the lives of 45 students

within one class at the WKMHS over a period of 3-5 years,

resulting in model students who will inculcate wholesome values in their academic, social,cultural, spiritual lives

ScopeAdopt-a-Class Five for One Project hopes to

ultimately result in

all round participation in school life loyalty to the institutionexceptional grades at CSEC appreciation and regard for social mores and

wholesome values and attitudes

MethodologyDevelop Adopt-a-Class Programme proposal Associate with students over a 5 year periodWork with other stakeholders –

parents, home room teachersubject teachersyear-group supervisorvice-principalprincipal

MethodologyContact School Administration sharing plan,

indicating commitment and getting buy-inOne class among the 2010 Cohort of GSAT

Awardees identified by the schoolWelcome Letters to students issued at start of

First SemesterLetters to parents issued simultaneouslyPainting of designated Homeroom of Adopted

ClassProvision of texts and resource material for

general use (particularly by those who may lack adequate resources)

MethodologyContribute to physical and enabling

environments:

Physical painting of classroomprovision of suitable/comfortable

furniture, provision of appropriate learning

resources

Methodology

Enabling – enrichment exercisesteacher development incentive – awards/recognition

programme, motivational presentationsexposure to civic and national

importance thus leading to a pride in, and commitment to self, school, community and country

Special ActivitiesPainting of Classroom

Gifts of books, material – shared resources for students

Did special presentations on etiquette, hygiene, study techniques

Special ActivitiesSpecial Personal Development Seminar

– September 2012 (Start of Grade 9)for students and their parents

Shaping Your FuturePresenter – Joan Davis WilliamsBeing the Support System – ParentsShaping Your Future The Eagle in MeSocial Graces, Hygiene & Grooming,

Relationships

Special ActivitiesAwards presentation – outstanding

performances in academicspunctualitycourtesydeportmentdisciplinereliability and cooperationconsistency in spoken English

Certificates and Trophies presented annually in General Assembly

PositivesCommitment to excellence from majority of

students in terms of academic/ decorum

Able to identify students who need special intervention

YEAR ACADEMIC

SPECIAL

2010-11

10 8

2011-12

21 14

2012-13

29 17

Positives

Buy in from students, school and parents

Enthusiasm

Benefits to the students, the school, the community

Greater sense of pride and self-worth; affirmation

Challenges/LimitationsLimited numbers of members within the

Association to effectively manage several aspects of the programme simultaneously

Our physical distance from the school

Physical distance from the youngsters but made easier through use of technology, social media and liaising with home room teacher and principal

Limited Resources

Opportunities for Improvement

Review the programme strategiesInclude the Guidance Counsellor as a key

stakeholderStrengthen the methodologyGreater analysis of challenges and

successes

This is Our Reward!!!Thank you for wishing

me a happy new year. Hope you and the Alumni Kingston Chapter have a wonderful n great New Year and I also thank you for what you have done for me n the 9-2 family throughout the past years. I am very appreciative. Hope you have a prosperous year. Best Wishes.

This is Our Reward!!!We are trying to do our

best although the first term of grade 10 was very challenging because we have to step up our game to take on CXC in grade 11. Thanks for shaping us into the men and women of tomorrow and also mothers and fathers. We will continue to try to do our best or should I say my best.

This is Our Reward!!!Presented to

William Knibb Memorial High School Alumni

(Kingston Chapter)

Thank you for your sterling

contribution to the Adopted Class of

2010

William Knibb Alumni Association Kingston Chapter

williamknibbalumni_kingston@yahoo.com