As students around the country prepare to wind down their school year, the principals at Providence School, one of the newest academic ventures in the country are excited about the new institution that promises to be an inclusive, creative and nurturing community, that will offer a challenging and project-based curriculum to preschool and primary school students, when it opens its doors in September.
Scores of parents with their children seeking admission, and dozens of educators in search of employment as well as Providence well-wishers attended a recent open house at the Rainforest Theatre in the Wyndham Nassau Resort where they were introduced to the institution's curricula and programs. Showcased were the plans for what is expected to be an energetic academic community where global education, character and service learning are expected to be paramount. It's a school at which educator and Head of School Shacantila Hall-Briggs hopes to create a more curious, creative, confident, considerate and engaged student.
Hall-Briggs told parents that there were perhaps few decisions more important than choosing the right school for their child, and asserted during the open house that choosing Providence School located on Tonique Williams-Darling Highway would ensure that their children start out on their path towards lifelong learning, building a strong character and a successful academic experience.
She said while core subjects like Mathematics, Language Arts, Social Sciences, and Religious Studies are fundamental to the tenets of the school, it was her belief that there is nothing extra about technology, world languages, fine arts, character and service education and health and wellness. She billed the co-curricular activities as vital parts of Providence's holistic approach to education.
She also told parents that Providence students would be given the tools to exceed academic standards, that Providence teachers would be offered the support to connect their students to a world beyond the halls of school and that parents of Providence students would be integral to every aspect of their child's education and development.
Bishop Simeon B. Hall, religious leader, former vice-principal of Prince Williams High School and chairman of the Providence Hall Foundation, moderated a six-member panel of professionals during the open house. Participating in the discussion were retired justice Rubie Nottage, former Supreme Court Justice and lecturer at The College of The Bahama; Father James Palacious, former rector at St. Matthew's Church and former lecturer at The College of The Bahamas; Arlene Nash-Ferguson, principal at Educulture and former principal at St. John's College; Philip Haven, Scotiabank manager and Bishop Victor Cooper, pastor at New Bethany Baptist Church and former president of the Primary Principals Association.
The panel members offered parents insight into the importance of family involvement in early childhood education, the critical role the church and the community play in childhood development, and the importance of investing in a child's educational future as well as best practices for financing a child's education.
Discussions also included embracing global languages and culture, methods to ensure that students are leaders in information and communication technology, the downfalls of traditional Bahamian educational philosophy and curricula, and how Bahamian students are faring at the regional and international levels and how to narrow any disparities.
The panel members stressed the importance of moving beyond traditional education and embracing character education and service learning, as well as the importance of disciplining children without damaging the spirits of children.
Noting that global-mindedness will be weaved into every learning experience at the Providence School, Sandiria Hall, said that in addition to teaching students both Spanish and Mandarin Chinese, that the school's program would incorporate field trips, annual international travel and co-curricular activities to complement the academic curriculum, and to transport Providence students beyond the brick and mortar classroom.
Chef Simeon Hall who highlighted the importance of promoting a healthy lifestyle and eating to children from an early age, showcased the school's unique lunch program which would be prepared under his guidance, with food from the school's on-site garden.Students whose parents had already signed on for the Providence experience come September, wowed the audience with a fashion show displaying the school's formal uniform in blue and white gingham tops and navy sweaters and blazers.Other children adorned the informal uniforms -- kelly green, turquoise blue and sunkist orange polo tops with khaki bottoms. Adult models walked the catwalk displaying the teachers' and administrators' attire.
Providence School's philosophy is based on its core tenets of love, honor, integrity, charity and courage.
Parents or educators interested in joining the energetic Providence School where global education, character and service learning are paramount and are prepared to add to the school's efforts to develop future leaders can visit the school's website at www.theprovidenceschool.org or its Facebook page for more information.
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