E. P. Yorke High opens doors to public
A few weeks ago we visited the Campus of St. John’s College on the occasion of its open day. Today News Five’s Patrick Jones traveled a short distance down Princess Margaret Drive to check out the happenings at E. P. Yorke.
Shaun Faber, P.R. Officer, Expo ’98
“We’re having an open day today to display different activities, different projects and so forth done by our students at Edward P. Yorke High School and to let the public, different students and so, watch what we have on display today.”
Today’s event, called Expo ’98, is only one of the measuring sticks that the school’s administration uses to measure the progress of students and teachers.
Allan Genitty, Principal, E. P. Yorke High School
“It is very important in many different ways. For example it gives the students the opportunity to showcase the work that they have been doing for the school year. It also projects the school in a positive way to the community. It gives the students dem, a sense of pride and loyalty belonging to an institution which is rated as a very good one in Belize.”
Four different activities: the inauguration of their newly renovated computer lab, career day, open day, and a dramafest were amalgamated into one.
Patrick Jones
“These activities are all intended to highlight the talents here at Edward P. Yorke High School while at the same time give potential students a taste of some of the academic challenges and opportunities that await them should they decide they want to get an education here.”
The new computer lab was declared open by Prime Minister Esquivel. Forty two thousand dollars was spent on the acquisition of twelve new computers, which Genitty says will greatly enhance and expand the school’s delivery of computer education. While there was no shortage of those eager to try out the new machines, the science displays were by far the most popular.
Albert Seawell
“Here we have the test for oxygen. You have the production of an enzyme peroxidase or normal household hydrogen peroxide and the production of yeast. Here we add a little bit of yeast to it. And here the bubbles forming. What you do, you ignite a splint of board. On the production of oxygen, this splint supposed to re-ignite.”
P. J.
“Mario, explain to me what you are doing here.”
Mario Betancourt
“We are doing preparation of sodium chloride by neutralization.”
In layman’s terms, making ordinary table salt.
Mario Betancourt
“So the next trial we did, we took the same 25 mls again, same amount of hydrochloric acid and just add it without using the methyl orange which is the indicator, so it doesn’t contaminate the salt. After it reaches the neutralization point which is 26.4, place it over a water bath, leave it to heat for a day which I told you already and after it is finish leave it to dry and it becomes common salt.”
But while some experiments are pretty straightforward, other students in the physics class soon discovered that even the best laid plans don’t always turn out as desired.
Kareem Savery
“Hot air does rise and we were using the principle that hot air balloons will rise by the heat provided and it heats up the air and therefore the balloon rises because of the lightness.”
P. J.
“For a while there, things didn’t go as planned.”
Kareem Savery
“Well, we had a few mishaps with the breeze, seems that it wants to destroy our success. But we’ve had success in the past and we are going to get one up, all the rest up for the rest of the day.”
The students did manage to successfully launch the rest of the balloons, proving that nothing beats patience and determination.
Leslie Gutierrez
“This is the Wood Technology Department and we basically, further students in this course to different schools, mainly Technical, to get more hands-on work on how to prepare an individual to go in the work field and do their own thing.”
And in the end, the students who are spending their last days on campus all agree that the past four years have helped tremendously in preparing them for the future.
Elmer Tores
“We have covered our whole curriculum for third and fourth form. We have covered that to a tee.”
Jose Luis Baeza Jr.
“During the four years I have learnt, great factors for my further studies. So I think, it’s a great school.”
The school, in its present form, is the evolution of the old Belize Junior Secondary School Number One. The institution can trace its origins to January of 1969, and if the displays from the different departments at today’s open day are an indication, Edward P. Yorke High School, like good wine, will only get better with time. Patrick Jones for News Five.
E. P. Yorke High School is a government institution attended by 350 students who are taught by 23 teachers.
