GETTING READY FOR EDUCATION TRANSITIONS

Primary School to High School

Making the transition from primary school to high school can be an exciting yet daunting undertaking for children. Progressing to a new school level usually means bigger school buildings, larger student bodies, more choices and more freedom.

When parents work together with their children to help navigate the changes from primary school to high school, the result is a confident teen ready to try new experiences, develop new friendships and set high expectations for success.

The transition is initiated by registering, sitting the exam and being accepted into the institution of choice. Parents should consider the following factors when looking for a school: Safety, core values that align with theirs, sound and progressive curriculum, academic support avenues and extracurricular opportunities that meet the needs of their child.

For most schools, the Entrance Examination is an indicator to the school that the student has successfully grasped the foundational concepts to be able to move forward with what the institution deems mainstream. Areas covered on the exam include Math and English Language (Comprehension and Writing included). Once these areas are competent, all other areas with effort and practice will fall into place. Skills required to be successful on the exam are mastered by the end of grade five.

Once accepted to High School, this new academic journey still requires parental involvement as an integral part. Showing interest about the day through discussion at the dinner table, monitoring their phone use and social media are ways that parents can stay “in tune” with their children. Parents should make a special effort at least once per semester to have a face-to-face conference with their children’s teachers particularly in subject areas where there is cause for concern. Parents are advised to never wait until end of terms exams are approaching to inquire about their children’s progress. Schools have a myriad of user-friendly grades monitoring tools, 2 such as Power School, which allows parents to monitor how their children are performing or lack thereof.

High School to College

The steady progression into high school brings with it the most highly anticipated graduation year but prior to this Internal exams and External examinations are administered to access student achievement both Nationally and Internationally. By the ninth grade BJC’s are taken and by grade twelve BGCSE’s are taken. Allowances are made to take these exams a year prior for certain subjects but criterion would have been established for those students eligible to do so. The SAT and ACT are International examinations which both are indicators of College Readiness and used for scholarship and placement purposes.

Going to college is considered to be a rite of passage. Moving onto college represents a significant step towards adulthood; however high school students have to negotiate a vital process before embarking upon tertiary education.

• It’s important that parents are supportive of their children’s dreams, but also realistic. With the assistance of school counselors, parents and children can map out a plan of coursework that leads to the dream post-secondary option.
• High school students should start thinking about colleges and careers that might be a good fit and start exploring those areas early. Career and college fairs are good places to start. This helps students to start to picture themselves at a tertiary institution. It also helps them ensure that their transcripts look the way they want it to look when they graduate. Students should work on building a scholarship portfolio. The more they are involved in extracurricular activities, leadership and volunteer opportunities, the better their chances of securing partial or complete scholarships.
• High school students should seek out internships, job shadows and summer jobs that align with the careers they are interested in to get experience and begin the process of networking in their intended field.

During this time, both parent and child have the opportunity to grow, change, and develop in terms of their own identities. In these new configurations of independence, the relationship scale tends to tip more in the direction of parents acting as advisors, mentors, and yes, even friends. Children will look to their parents for support and guidance. 3 Transition means change, and at each junction, growth should take place. A successful student is one who is willing to make sacrifices, one who is dedicated and motivated and most importantly one who is organized with realistic plans for future endeavors. During this period of matriculation, students must be cognizant of the purpose God has for them. Jeremiah 29:11 states: For I know the plans I have for you declare the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give a future and hope.

Members of the Aquinas College Class of 2016 & Class of 2017 and St. Francis de Sales School seniors prepare to embark on the Annual Aquinas College Road Trip.

CATHOLIC BOARD OF EDUCATION STUDENT HIGHLIGHTS

Catholic Board of Education (CBE) students continued to light the way during the first term of the 2016 – 2017 school year. Several of our students achieved national success in the areas of academics, sports, music and the arts. The Catholic Board of Education congratulates these students for their outstanding success.

Aquinas College

• Winner 15th Annual Sunshine Insurance Elmira College Essay & Speech Competition (Yamille Moss – Left)
• First place, High school category, 33rd Central Bank Art Competition & Exhibition (Sonae Smith – Right)
• Gold, silver & bronze medals, 1st National Archery Competition (Samuel Albury, Rayvaughn Sweeting, LaSean Cartwright, Leander Braynen & Leslie Rahming)

Mary, Star of the Sea Catholic Academy

• Winner, Caribbean Tourism Organisation’s Tourism Youth Congress (Gabrielle Josephs)

St. Cecilia’s School

• First Place, Girls Division, Temple Christian Primary Schools Basketball Tournament
• Winners, Catholic Board of Education Summer Reading Challenge (Jada Johnson & Teajah Johnson)

Sts. Francis & Joseph School

2016 E. Clement Bethel National Awards

• National Winners, Drumline 12 and under
• National Winners, Storytelling 12 and under
• National Winners, Individual verse speaking 4 to 6
• National Winners, Choral Speaking Preschool
• National Winners, Choral Speaking 1 to 3
• National Winners, Choral Speaking 4 to 6
• Overall Award for Drama
• First Place, Boy’s Division, Temple Christian Primary Schools Basketball Tournament

HARVEST DAY

“It’s harvest, it’s harvest’ it’s harvest time again. We’re bringing pumpkin and watermelon; we’re bringing pumpkin and watermelon. Kalik, kalik, kaliking, kalik, kalik, kalik, kalik, Oh!”

Harvest Day is celebrated annually in every Catholic Board of Education school throughout The Bahamas on the last Thursday in November. Harvest Day has a rich tradition in our Catholic schools. For years it has been a time where children gather to offer thanks to God and give gifts to the less fortunate of the community.

This year CBE staff and students graciously donated non-perishable items and monies to assist with the Archdiocesan Hurricane Matthew Relief Drive in Grand Bahama and North Andros.

CATHOLIC SCHOOLS THROUGHOUT THE BAHAMAS PARTICIPATE IN THE COUNTRY’S INAUGURAL CHARACTER DAY

On the 22nd September 2016, Bahamas Catholic Board of Education (CBE) schools in The Bahamas joined one hundred and twenty-five (125) countries and hundreds of thousands of people around the globe to celebrate Character Day. The brainchild of Emmy-nominated filmmaker Tiffany Shlain and now in its third year, Character Day was designed to initiate conversations about character strengths and how to develop them. This year’s Character Day was the first to be held in The Bahamas. The idea for The Bahamas to participate in this important, global event became a reality as a result of a partnership between several local organizations. The Character Day activities for each CBE school were as varied as the character traits of each student. Activities ranged from students walking throughout their community to share the importance of good character with others, to a local policewoman addressing students on the value of honesty. Catholic school students in Abaco reflected positive character traits through song and dance. Mary, Star of the Sea Catholic Academy in Freeport held a special assembly during which students took the lead to explain to their peers the specific aspects of positive character traits. Character Day activities will be extended all year in CBE schools. Consistent, intentional efforts will be made towards the development of young people who are aware of, understand and exhibit core ethical values. Catholic Schools in The Bahamas were the first schools in The Bahamas to sign up to participate in Character Day. The importance of character, particularly how young persons develop moral consciousness, forms the foundation of the educational philosophy of CBE schools.