New high school opens on Southside
Going back to school in September always presents some excitement, but for one group of first formers this year has a special meaning.
Jacqueline Woods
At the start of each new school year, parents often have a difficult time getting their children enrolled in secondary schools…not because the students don’t want to further their education, but there is simply not enough space available at existing institutions. The establishment of a new college on the southside of Belize City, however, hopes to address that situation. On September 4th, St. Michael’s College opened its doors to 120 students.
Michael Price, Principal, St. Michael’s College
“They are special in the sense that normally they have might not been able to get a place in one of the established secondary schools. By that I mean their PSE scores are not of the highest. And because of the limited amount of spaces in the other secondary schools they would not have been able to get a place. So this school was established to provide quality education as I said earlier to students of that kind.”
The college is housed in the former youth hostel building. The bedrooms, which once held troubled youths, have been converted into classrooms where the students are taught a comprehensive curriculum.
Michael Price
“We offer all of the academic courses: English, Literature, Mathematics, Science, Belizean Studies and we also offer and I think we are the only secondary school in the country that offers information technology of introduction to computer at the first form level. In addition to that we also offer home economics, technical drawing, physical education and we also have a special course that we call personal and social education. It’s a kind of a developmental counseling course. We have a fulltime counselor on staff and we feel that we are providing high quality education and we try to bring out the very best in every student that we have in our care.”
Michael Price, former principal off Belmopan Comprehensive School for 22 years, says although he has been in the seat before, being the head of a new school does present some challenges.
Michael Price
“This is more challenging in the sense that it is starting something new, starting with students who would not normally have been in a high school; working with them. We have only been in operation for about a month let say and I certainly see a lot of challenges ahead to bring these students up to a certain academic level. But academics will not only be our focus. We are trying to develop the whole individual and bring out whatever talent each of them has been endowed with. We feel that no matter who the person is, that person is capable of learning and our duty and responsibility is to provide the right environment.”
Price says they have already gotten off to a good start and student response has been positive. Many of the students enrolled at St. Michael’s not because they couldn’t get into other schools, but because they simply wanted to be a part of a new college and all it has to offer.
Indira Thompson, Student
“I wanted to go here because I know it’s a new school and I will be one of the first graduates in history in the school and I think I will be doing good in this school.”
Jamie Yearwood, Student
“Well I never would have given up, I would have tried a next college. You always continue to try, because you never know.”
Jacqueline Woods
“What were the problems you were experiencing?”
Jamie Yearwood
Well other schools said that they were full. The teacher at the primary school that I was going told me about St. Michael’s College, which will be opening and I got an application form and I sent it in and I got accepted.”
Jacqueline Woods
“And have you students been adjusting here?”
Jamie Yearwood
“Yes ma’am.”
Jacqueline Woods
“What was it like in the beginning?”
Jamie Yearwood
“Most of my classmates, were shy but I am always talking and I like to socialize with people.”
Indira Thompson
“I like it a lot because most of the teachers are very nice with us. If we don’t understand something, they’ll always be the one to say, “Come Indira, we’ll discuss this and let you understand.”
There is a staff of 8 fulltime teachers, a principal, vice principal and 4 support staff. Presently the college has 4 first form classes and will expand to second, third and fourth forms with each passing year.
St. Michael’s College will be officially opened on October fourth. Price says in addition to the building they are presently using, there are plans to construct a proper school building on the compound where they will be able to provide educational workshops and labs. A computer lab as well will also be put in place and the sporting complex will be renovated.
