Hummingbird School opens new classroom
In Belize City, except for a few infant schools most primary schools are large buildings with hundreds of students. But for those parents and teachers who want a more personal, nurturing environment for their small children, Hummingbird School offers a welcome alternative. With its small class size and well equipped playground the children have lots of room to exercise their minds and their bodies. But there are changes ahead for this little school in response to requests from the parents who want to keep their children at Hummingbird. This morning News Five was invited to share a part of the principal’s — and the parents’ — dream for the school.
It’s a school we barely hear about, Hummingbird Infant and Junior School. It first opened its doors with only five students. The vision of its principal Vassi Ponnambalam is to create an environment which would be safe and spacious and ensure that each child is given quality time with the teacher. Until now, the school only went up to Infant two, but Sunday Hummingbird School will inaugurate its new standard one classroom. Principal Vassi Ponnambalam told us more about the school.
Vassi Ponnambalam, Principal, Hummingbird School
“Actually when I go back we started the school in 1983 with a very limited number of children. During the years more kids came in. We’ve always had the infant level from the pre-kinder up to infant two. Parents have always asked me to expand the school to take their children further because of the crowding of schools out elsewhere and finding places for their kids. So I was thinking about it for a couple of years and this year I thought I must go into this venture. I’ve gotten a lot of support.”
The support was exactly what Ponnambalam needed. She says that the expansion would not be possible without the help of her family, the parents and teachers. The new standard one classroom has its own bathroom and washing facilities. The school located at 24 Newtown Barracks has much to offer a child.
Vassi Ponnambalam
“Basically we will be going through the Ministry of Education curriculum in most of the subjects. We have extra books that we reinforce the standard of the class which will be quite a high standard. We emphasize in reading, phonics, language and math. We try to incorporate other activities such as art and craft.”
The school currently has an enrollment of sixty-four students and is committed to enforcing quality education in a healthy and supportive environment for each and every child throughout the primary education phase. For such a small school, the expansion is a bold step but a good start for the parents who have chosen the school over the years. Ponnabalam says that each year they intend to build another classroom until they reach standard six. The students of Hummingbird School will be singing Christmas carols at their party this Sunday and were kind enough to give News Five a little preview. Hyacinth Latchman for News Five.
