NEWSLETTER - Day Waterman College
Transcription
NEWSLETTER - Day Waterman College
Towards surpassing the most demanding standards available anywhere in the world...(10th Edition) NEWSLETTER Message from the Principal CONTENTS Message from the Principal - 1 Message from Co-Principal (Academics) - 2 Message from Co-Principal (Pastoral) - 3 African Gifted Foundation - 4 Dear Parents & Guardians, On joining Day Waterman College I was delighted to meet well behaved, motivated and talented students, dedicated staff and excellent facilities. The co-principal team means that DWC has experienced outstanding and dedicated leadership to ensure the vision for Day Waterman College continues to flourish. As a newcomer to Nigeria my fast adjustment can be credited to the Board of Governors, staff and especially the support and friendship of you the parent body. The leadership team welcomes the opportunity to relate with you, to listen and move forward in partnership to ensure the success of your children and the school. In this newsletter you will find articles about some of the activities and achievements of our students which have taken place since our last Newsletter in July 2012. I hope you will enjoy the reading which follows. May I take this opportunity to wish you well over the festive season and we look forward to the safe return of our students in January. Yours in education, Lyn Newell Principal Learning Resource Centre - 7 Honours Day/ Valedictory Service - 9 Its All About Us - 13 Valedictory Speech - 14 2012 IGCSE: DWC Shines Bright - 15 National Art Competition - 16 The Gods Are Not To Blame Stage Production - 17 NIGERIA @ 52: DWC Fashion Show - 18 INDEPENDENT MATCH: Students vs Staff - 19 NIGERIA @ 52: Quiz Competition - 20 Year 7 Students Visits Olumo Rock - 21 Meet the new members of the DWC Team - 22 Message from the Co-Principal: Steps In The Right Direction William Arthur Dear Parents & Guardians, I am very glad to update you about the general academic pursuits of our students. In the June issue of our Newsletter, I announced to you the outstanding performance of our students at the Checkpoints Exams. By then we were expecting the release I/GSCE of our first graduating students and Year 10s. I am honoured to inform you that when the results were released in July our students recorded stunning achievements! The details are included in this newsletter. There was no way we could have pulled it off without the co-operation and understanding of all the parents. You have always been there for us. In September, one of our Year 10 students, Otitodirichukwu Darl-Uzu, won an NNPC/Chevron Art Competition titled ‘'Strength in Diversity'' for his ingenious artwork to commemorate Nigerian 52nd Independence held in Port-Harcourt. The young man has shown the outside world what it means to surpass all available standards. The brilliant performances of our students who staged the popular play by the late Professor Ola Rotimi at the Muson Centre on the 20th October are worth a mention. Their hard work, creativity, and focus paid off and thrilled the audience. I cannot but make mention of the support of our parents in this respect—their sponsorship, attendance, moral encouragement kept us going. Thank you! 02 The mock exams of our students ended last week. The students have been participating in all activities that build their body, soul and spirit. Our Learning Resource Centre is being stocked with new materials and our teachers are as motivated as ever. All our new students have taken their baseline assessments Midyis for Years 7-9 and Yellis for Year 10. The results suggest we were right in making our decision on each child. These tests are external diagnostic tests designed by CEM, Durham University, UK, and you should have seen your child's baseline predictions on their full report. Individual Education Plans (IEPs) are being put in place for those who may need support in one or more areas. We have selected our senior Maths Olympiad Group and they are already being prepared for early Maths IGCSE entry in May, 2013. The selection test for the Junior Maths Olympiad Group was done last week and students will be notified soon. As a school, we are taking giant steps in the right direction of our vision. We are most grateful for the opportunity of a lifetime which you parents have given us to mould your children for the betterment of their future and our world. Arthur William Co-Principal (Academic) Message from the Co-Principal: The Welfare of Our Students Teresa Onyemah I am excited to have joined a dynamic academic environment of Day Waterman College where academic standards are rigorous and compare favourably with the world's best international schools. As the new Co-Principal (Pastoral), it gives me joy to relate with the students and see them grow mentally and psychologically. Their welfare is paramount—it can never be relegated. I am passionate about young people and all that concerns them. In view of this, ever since I joined DWC, my focus has been of student welfare especially the catering unit. The leadership team have been able to put in place effective measures to improve turnaround time at the Dining Hall so that the students are served their meals on time and in an organised manner. The school now has a permanent Resident Doctor who works 12 hours daily and on call including weekends. In addition, there are four (4) qualified nurses two of whom are always on hand 24/7. The Matrons also run shifts/duties in the centre to support the medical team. With the introduction of additional new Boarding Houses, two more qualified matrons have been employed to support our team. The House Tutors, House Parents and Matrons all work round the clock to cater to the needs of the students in a professional manner and the team is totally committed to the wellbeing of all the students. It is our collective aim to positively influence them towards growing into mature and responsible adulthood in an environment of genuine affection. DWC is a home away from home. Boarding is at the heart of DWC and our aim is to provide for all our students a caring environment which will enable them become confident and successful in future. As the students learn and healthily compete, interact and play with one another, it gladdens me seeing them growing before our very eyes. It is my good fortune to be able to have the privilege of impacting their lives positively. Teresa Onyemah Co-Principal (Pastoral) 03 African Gifted Foundation Patience Okhakhu Lead Teacher, Gifted & Talented Students The African Gifted Foundation is led by African and UK executives and educational experts determined to provide an opportunity for Africa's gifted children to develop to their full potential. Gifted children are those who by virtue of their outstanding abilities are capable of high levels of expertise and performance. According to the Foundation: ''This top 5% of the population, by academic ability, require an enhanced and extended approach to meeting their educational needs and unleashing their full potential.'' Mrs Patience Okhakhu, who led two of our students to Ghana this summer, here narrates her experience of the trip—plus two recollections from the participants themselves, in their own words… I led a group of students to Accra on the 23rd August, 2012 to attend a programme organized by a group of experts from the UK. The programme, as the name implies, is principally for African gifted students; that is, African students of unusual ability and talent. In Nigeria six (6) schools indicated their interest to attend the programme, but only three (3) were shortlisted: Day Waterman College, Ogun State, Henry Alex Duduyemi School, Osun State, and Mercy Land College, Ogun State. Four students were entered; only two of them would be taken—the two had to be the very best of the best, the icing on the cake. The organisers were of the opinion all the four candidates selected from our school were all excellent students but they just had to select two; so the final shortlist came down to two names: Master Ichechi Weli and Anita Obasahon. The other students' intellectual ability was undoubted and appreciated--they were asked to re-apply for the next Study Week programme. 04 The same routine happened in the other schools—the very best from Mercy Land College and Alex Duduyemi represented their school, and by extension, Nigeria. The students were exposed to intensive teaching, skill acquisition and learning. Some of the things they learnt included: codes and ciphers, space exploration and science, and lots more. The intensive teaching lasted for 5 days; what followed on the last day of the programme were motivational talks from resource persons, achievers and noted youth mentors who shared with the students their humble beginnings, striving for the top, passion for success and the tough but enjoyable road to fulfilment in life. They also shared their secrets of excellence in their chosen careers and professions. The main purpose of the Academy, the African Gifted Foundation, is to change the mindset of African Youths in the direction of exploring their environments and making use of what is there to make the world a better place for people to live in. The students were challenged to question useless and limiting dogmas. The teaching and experiences were so rich and enlightening that I too began to think how I can draw inspiration from my youthful years and begin to make a difference now on a consistent basis, not minding my age. The programme lit a fire within me and set me thinking big! My candid advice to all the students who have had the privilege of attending the programme is that they should adhere to every lesson's tip learnt. I am convinced that any child that does this will, undoubtedly, leave a positive imprint on the world around him/her. programme ended on the 27th August, 2012. The African Gifted Foundation is a fantastic programme that every student should strive to be a part of. The As it stands, the final expedition is scheduled to hold on Friday/Saturday 18th and 19th May 2012 and the award African Gifted Foundation Experience Recollections from two participants ICHECHI WELI is a Year 11D student of Day Waterman College. He opens up on his experiences. The African Gifted Foundation was a life-changing experience for me. I came into the programme expecting an ordinary course that I could hopefully get out of quickly. And being one of the few Nigerians partaking, I wasn't too keen on going. I couldn't believe how terribly wrong I was. From the onset of the programme in Accra, I knew it was going to be a short, but extraordinary 5 days. I met with the programme's crew: Mr Tom Ilube (Chairman), Dr Simon (Space Scientist), Archie Matheson, Mr Davis Cope (of Bletchley Park) and Achita Desai. The first course (the one I found most interesting) was Codes and Ciphers. Initially, I was eager to participate thinking Mr David would teach our young minds how to crack/hack passwords or even some bank vaults! Unfortunately that wasn't the case and we ended up deciphering coded messages using different techniques. This may include World War 1 messages between the Allies or even coded messages between your peers in the classroom! After much perseverance and persuasion I got the hang of it and was eager to try more (as was everyone else). He also explained the use of enigmas--machines used in the war and even in present days too. It was a truly fascinating course that I know I won't encounter for a long time. Space Science! Although it may seem quite lacklustre to you, I found it absolutely amazing. Who knew that the nearest star to us was the Proxima Centauri? Or that it was over 4 light years away (over a trillion kilometres)? Dr Simon of Nottingham University explained articulately the wonders of the universe and just how mind-boggling it really is! As part of an experiment, we made our own rockets and tested whose went farthest. Quite oddly, my N- S5 rocket didn't pass two metres (you're surprised too, right?)! Apart from the cheating that caused my rocket not to win, Space Science was a course to remember. The AGF visited an Aluminium Smelte- Valcro. The Engineers took us on an all round tour and explained to us how they get Alumina from Bauxite and Aluminium from Alumina. It turned to be very eventful and we all had lots of questions to ask. Sometime later, two engineers from Tullow Oil talked to us about their profession and what it takes to be an engineer. Moving on from my childhood dream of being a dinosaur (I was five), now I aspire to be an engineer and therefore found the talk relatively interesting. The AGF played chess against the Ghanaian Champion. Being one of the only participants who is familiar with chess, I was sure I would defeat him! This is an overview of my match with him: 9:00 Game commenced. I put on my game face and played. I was ready... 9:30 No pieces had been taken from either side. The game was looking seriously complicated but so far so good. 9:47 He took my pawn, I took his own back! I was prepared. By now, many other games had ended. 05 10:01 With one move, I took his knight and put his King on check! People were already shouting Ichechi! Ichechi! I was feeling good. had participated. Some of us also departed pondering how Ichechi lost that chess game. 10:18 He moved away and took my queen. My queen! The cheering of my name stopped abruptly. 10: 30 He put me on Check and kept me thinking. 10:37 Checkmate! I was trapped and was unable to beat him (how odd?). On the last day, we all collected prizes for attainment and participation. Pictures were taken and some of us had to leave before others. The AGF proved to be exciting and, thanks to Mr Tom, we all left feeling elated and lucky that we ANITA OBASOHAN is a Year 11D student of Day Waterman College. She tagged her experiences “FIVE FANTASTIC DAYS”. In August, we went to Ghana for the third annual AGF programme. My time spent at AGF was a wonderful experience although it was short--I learnt much more than I thought possible. With a very riveting session on Codes and Ciphers, I developed a new interest in decoding numerous codes. My partner and I successfully cracked the Great Bank Mystery. It's something I have never learnt before, but something that I really enjoyed. It was mind-tasking but definitely worth it. The Space Science session on the other hand, was a session that really opened my mind to what's out there. war, trying to the king. Quite an interesting game. I met so many Ghanaians, and learnt much about their culture and food. We visited a flea market in and put our bargaining skills to the test. I learnt to never take the first price offered, had better slash it almost in half and go downwards! Or else you would just be over paying your items. All together, I had a great experience while at AGF. Five fantastic days, spent with amazingly gifted people. I also learned a lot about chess. This trip made me more interested in chess than I used to be. It's like an intellectual Pictures 06 Learning Resource Centre Sub Headings By: James Okhakhu Head, Learning Resource Centre Located at the heart of Day Waterman College campus is the Learning Resource Centre (LRC). The LRC is a superb and innovative resource-centre building that has been designed to inspire and attract students and the entire school community. Its environment is both welcoming and serenely relaxing; its large study areas are supremely ideal for reading. It has generous shelving and storage areas, the librarian's office, different collections' corners, flexible reading areas, teaching corners, 2 ICT rooms, the reprographic room and 100 internet/networked computers. fiction section is equally diverse in terms of genre, reading and interest levels. Most of the books are in English, but we do have a range of titles in French, Spanish, Italian and Yoruba languages. We are keen on staff, parents and students' recommendations for our purchase of new titles. Donations of high quality books are always appreciated! Library Access Students are welcome to the library either as an individual or in a group (before registration, break times, after school and during their non-contact periods) at any time for book exchange, research or individual study-time; they may be accompanied by their teachers during library periods. The Library Team encourages reading for the sheer joy of it by inducing the LRC's visitor to pick up a book; it may be a story that transports us to other realms, an autobiography that takes us on a journey into another person's life or a text that informs, brimming with new ideas/perspectives. We enjoy helping students select reading materials that will engage and challenge them as well as improve their quality of research skills corresponding to each student's level of development. Borrowing and Lending Students (and their parents) are entitled to check out two books for one week. The Collection We have a substantial collection of over 15,000 books, periodicals, audio-visuals etc for students, teachers and parents. We have a wide variety of non-fiction titles selected to enhance the academic curriculum (IGCSE to IB Diploma) as well as many general interest topics. Our Books can be renewed for an extra week, if a hold has not already been placed on the person's book account. Extra books can be checked out under certain conditions (e.g. summer reading or IB Extended Essay research). There are overdue fines for late books, but prompt return is appreciated. If books are lost they must be paid for before We are open Monday to Saturday. 07 more books can be checked out, or for school reports or transfer records to be issued by DWC. Using the Catalogue Our library's easy-to-use electronic catalogue is linked to all school computers and makes title selection a simple process. Our on-line databases are also an excellent research tool; materials ranging from Encyclopaedias to College-level academic journal articles are accessible. All library computers have internet access and students can save their research on USB devices or print, if necessary. Please, feel free to come in and browse the collection. We look forward to meeting you soon. Strategic Directions for the 2012-2013 Academic Session The DWC Library will strengthen its role as an essential partner in research, teaching and learning. The Library will be known for providing access to world-class resources, in all formats (electronic, physical, audiovisual), and at the points and places of need. The Library's physical spaces encourage reflection, contemplation, intellectual exploration and academic interaction. In collaboration with other units of the school, the Library has been an innovative partner on the college's march to excellence. The Librarians are there to assist and interact with staff and students at multiple points in their teaching, research and learning efforts. As DWC community progresses towards meeting its goals, the Library has always been there, playing its strategic role in promoting excellence in teaching and learning through provision of resource materials. The Roles of the Library are as follows: Improving the User Experience Understanding library users' (curriculum areas) needs and library experiences and use that information to shape collections, spaces, and services. Providing Digital Content, Tools & Services Provide services and resources in formats that best fit user needs. Making access to resources available from every computer in the school--in a digital world, we must shift our efforts increasingly towards the support of digital content, tools and services. Developing New Learning & Teaching Partnerships Ensuring that the Library provides the best support services for learning and teaching by developing new strategies for working with teachers and students and collaborating with other groups to ensure latest information is available at its disposal. Supporting DWC Priorities Articulating how the Library's collections, services, and initiatives align with the school's priorities of excellence in teaching and learning, internationalisation, interdisciplinary linkages, and knowledge-sharing in the service of society. Enhancing Library Spaces Ensuring that the Library's use of physical space develops in coordination with the evolution of the teaching and learning needs of DWC. 08 Honours Day & Valedictory Service The First Ever Graduating Student of DWC The Graduating Class of 2012, the pioneer students of Day Waterman College, the institution's firstfruits, officially passed out of the institution on Friday, 29th June. It was a day of joy for staff, parents and the students; seeing the students passing out of college, having passed through their skilful hands, young students, who came to the school four years before, green, wet behind the ears, but now grown and mature in thinking; what an emotional moment for the teachers! At exactly 12pm, the occasion kicked off. Gathered at the Day Waterman College's Multipurpose Hall were parents, teaching and non-teaching staff, and members of the public, all turned out in their best dresses, to witness the Valedictory and Honours Day of the Class of 2012. Being the pioneer students of Day Waterman College, the class population was few: just eleven members-- Ayodeji Sokunbi, Kemi Odusanya, Ayyub Jose, Ifeoma Kalu, Temiloluwa Njideaka-Kevin, Mariam Abdullahi, Tolulope Njideaka-Kevin, Vera Ogbodo, Timilehin Ademulegun, Tomiwa Olujimi, and Bright Inyang. The former principal of the college, Dr Tassos Anastasiades, was the first of the speakers to give his speech, congratulating the students on having the focus and determination to push through a delicate phase of their lives. He charged them to be good ambassadors of the school by staying true to the ideals for which the school is known. Next was the stirring speech delivered by the Head Boy, Ichechi Weli, and another delivered by the Head Girl, Anita Obasohan (whiz kids, both). The Head Boy's speech is included in the newsletter (see page16). Ichechi waxed lyrical as he bade farewell to the graduating students: ''So as our Year 11s lose sight of the shore called 'Day Waterman College', may they venture into a new and challenging world where they will make decisions for greatness. Like the sailor, we must all be willing to risk losing sight of the shore before we can cross the ocean and reach our dreams.'' Ichechi also had inspiring words for the other students: ''Today is also a day of reward and recognition....However, it would be a mistake to see events like this one as a celebration only of top achievers and award recipients. Today is very much about each student 09 here taking stock of the results of his/her labour, attitude and motivation. Each student here needs to be asking himself/herself about the way forward. Each student has the potential and opportunity to be recipient of future awards. Today is about affirmation and seeking inspiration...'' world out there, but when the day of departure dawns, the thought of leaving behind cemented bonds and friendships tears their hearts apart—they really want to go away, make no mistakes about it, but now they realise it is easier said than done. The first wave of nostalgia washes over them-partings are tough! The school was fortunate to have had an eminent personality, Dafe Akpedeye (SAN), as the Guest Speaker for the occasion. His speech was an ingenious mix of personal narrative and memoirs of world-famous achievers like Winston Churchill and Eleanor Roosevelt both of whom Kemi Odusanya, the valedictorian of the Class 2012, set the hall afire with her electrifying speech (see page 15 for the full length speech). With an amazing display of intelligence and humour that are out of proportion to her age, she signed off and waved us her fond farewell: ''I am now supposed to say goodbye to this institution, those who keep it running, teachers and non-teaching staff, and my fellow graduands but hope this farewell is more of a ''see you later'' when we are all uniquely striving to make an impact in the world. But, first, let's go get those pieces of paper that tell us that we're smart enough to make an impact!'' What Kemi humourously called 'those pieces of paper' were in actual fact academic awards wrested after years of agonising studies (taking notes in class, visiting the library, staying up at nights while others slept, denying oneself little pleasures)—of which she amassed no fewer than nine of them: she was not only the overall best student but also the winner of the prestigious Tayo Aderinokun Leadership Award. She was without any doubt the brightest chandelier in the hall, as she corralled most of the awards, evidence of a life characteristic by focus, discipline and hard work. overcame great personal odds on their path to eternal fame. He reminisced: ''At 16, just like you, I had survived 5 years of 'O' levels study, albeit at a strict Catholic College, and was finally 'free at last'. I was on top of the world and eagerly looking forward to the freedom of university life. Alas, the euphoria was short-lived. My direct entry bid was unsuccessful and I soon realised I would have to face the dreaded 'A' Levels.'' His parting words of advice to the graduating students are worth crafting in stone: ''As we celebrate with you, our pioneer graduates of Day Waterman College, I perceive your elation and eagerness to go forth and conquer the world. But I say to you—look before you leap. Are you truly prepared for the next significant phase of your life? What is your vision for the future? Write it down. An unwritten vision or goal will never be achieved....Remember that diligence is not just hard work; it is heart work—putting one's heart and energy into seeing a project completed''. At graduation, students have been known to be ambivalent about leaving school: this is a day they have been looking forward to, to strike out, to go and make an impact in the 10 It was little wonder when she walked off with 12 straight As in the I/GCSE result released in August this year. To think Kemi was a beneficiary of the school's Indigent Student Scholarship Fund! I shudder at the thought: imagine that such a talent had been allowed to rot away without the support of generous Nigerians! The Chairman, Board of Governors of DWC, Mr Cyril Chukwumah, had a few words of advice for the graduands: ''...you should also not forget that you have now come to a threshold—of which there will be many more. Life is in phases. The plain truth is that this is not the end of the road, but a new beginning, a beginning to reflect and recharge for greater tasks ahead. Today you become a memory....Those coming behind are following in your footsteps and you must not fail to show them the way. So I challenge you to be the best wherever you find yourselves and in whatever you do''. Expectedly, excellence shone forth as the DWC's students brought down the roof with their brilliant musical compositions and orchestral performances. When a baby bird thinks it has grown enough to fly, it doesn't need any rituals; once it no longer finds the nest comfortable, it exercises its small wings and flies away. The pull of the outside world—the broad blue sky and lush vegetation—is so strong that the bird despises the comforts of the nest. It seems that it isn't only human beings that can give up everything for liberty—all creatures crave and fight for it! No domestic animal can lay claim to adulthood until the farmer is convinced that it has matured enough for responsibility of grown-ups before the cage door is let ajar. The key of liberty is too precious to be left in the hands of babies.... One of the highlights at the twilight of the day's event was the benediction made by the H.R.H. Oba (Dr) Olusanya Dosunmu 11, the King of Owu Kingdom, DWC's founder's hometown, who prayed for the graduating students in Yoruba. He enlivened the Hall with his sweet voice as he sang songs, reminiscent the heyday of secondary valedictory services. The valedictory service came to an end with friends backslapping, an outburst of embraces, greetings, exchanging of contacts, smiling, laughing, and hash-hoshing noises of cameras as pictures were snapped. A product isn't, in a larger sense, a product until it has been shipped and released on to the market to compete with other similar brands in the mind of the consumer. Graduation rests on the assumption that graduating students have proven themselves worthy of handling the precious dual baton of freedom and responsibility to go into the world and make something sublime out of their lives. Once students enter a secondary school, they neither know the scope of what is in store for them nor the strength of the changes that would come their way. What defines them for life is what they make of the five or six years learning at this crucial stage of their development. In primary school, since they are still young, things look hazy to the pupils. Not secondary school—it is here they begin to experience changes, both within and without and imbibe lasting memories. The memory is still active and photographic, ready to absorb all kinds of learning. With active brain cells, they are hungry to have straightforward answers to everything about everything—not only 'the whats' of life but also 'the whys'. The students frequently go to the library/laboratory in order to seek answers to vexing and 11 the fundamental questions of life—for no matter how effective, talented and helpful the teachers are, students realise they must seek some answers on their own in the lonely halls of the library. Oh, secondary school students have faith! They want to be doctors, business executives, lawyers, teachers, neurosurgeons, bankers, particle-physicists, engineers, pilots, writers, politicians, and what have you. Before life conspires to wreck their well-laid plans and dreams, they believe strongly in their abilities, talents, the wisdom of their decisions; this naiveté about life, an annoying little habit which gives their parents and teachers no little frustration, is characteristic of youth. The boy that used to do whatever Daddy told him now questions anything Daddy says; he perennially finds faults in the logic of Mamma's orders; the precious little girl that used to regard Daddy as the most brilliant person in the world suddenly seems to see him the way he is: a human bundle of strengths, flaws, foibles, and gaffes. So many changes take place in the life of a student: explosive learning opportunities/curves, the intrusions of puberty, the distractions of the opposite sex, tendency to bully and be rebellious...It is also in the secondary school that s/he begins to build a network of lasting friendships with its simultaneous possibilities of betrayals and eternal bonding. It is at this stage that he/she begins to see the world the way it is and not the way it ought to be—the stark ugliness of life. Some of the students are able to navigate the paradoxical situations/transitions successfully well, when ably guided by experienced teachers, counsellors, parents and positive peer influences, but some may be engulfed by the whirlpool of emotions and are left by the wayside. Naturally, a frustrating sense of cynicism is birthed as the student begins to realise that tricky and urgent choices await (and beckon!) their attention—you can't hide forever under the pillows of irresponsibility and duck making those choices. Life is one overbearing bully, forcing you to stand up for something. You can't, unfortunately, delegate or franchise making hard choices in life to another person. Life's tough, it suddenly dawns on them! Students enter the secondary school naive, green, optimistic, full of self and faith, obedient and pliable, but they leave college transformed, cynical, fiercely loyal to friends, mature enough to appreciate the incredible sacrifices of parents and teachers, bright enough to be acquainted with the limitations of their innate abilities, and imbued with a sense of justice, running to the defence of the 12 underdog and the defenceless... In view of all these rapid changes that have taken place in the life of an individual in a half decade, valedictory services are held to celebrate the rites of passage from childhood to young-adulthood; valedictory services are observed to celebrate a young boy/girl's successful transition in the midst of shoals and danger zones that line their way; it is also a day customarily set aside to honour those students that have made full use of all the opportunities life offered them in the most interesting phases of human life: the secondary education. It is for this reason that it is also called an honours day.... In history's hallway, we must always remember, stand the teachers who bear the big slab of responsibility for moulding the minds of the young ones at such an impressionable stage of development. They educate, energise, and inspire, thereby deserving our eternal kudos for their silent labours of love. Everybody, it seemed, wished the DWC 2012 Valedictory /Honours Day Service would not come to an end, but Time was the only impatient fellow at the gathering; she needed no permission from anyone as she ticked away furiously. The graduands, even though flushed with the pangs of nostalgia, braced up, waved goodbye to DWC, then went out through the school gates in order to see what the outside world holds out for them, and to prepare themselves more for the opportunities of the future! It’s All About Us! The College Valedictorian: Kemi Odusanya Kemi Odusanya Good afternoon, distinguished guests, parents and students. Thank you for honouring us with your presence at this valedictory service of Day Waterman College. We are glad you could make it. This morning when I spoke to my parents, I could see the pride in their eyes that they've trained me excellently, that they've done a good job raising me. I'm afraid to say that their self-satisfied thoughts are not so important today, because, you see, it isn't about them, it is about us: every member of the Class of 2012! I address this also to the members of the board, who believe they are entitled to present us our testimonials as a reward for their flawless decision-making—they as well have played a huge part—but, it isn't also about them, it is about us. To my fellow classmates that are now leaving this institution, I say, do not forget the lessons learnt in these classrooms, do not neglect those that follow. We are the future, and eyes are patiently set on us, waiting to see what we'll make of the future, because, you see, it will still be about us. It is believed that through proper education, we will have the power to do anything. We will go out into the world and affirm that belief. The power that we have gained through a profound education here, we will only use for good, for we're refined and well-rounded. There are, however, other things more important than the extra-curricular talents and good grades we've all worked for—humanity, integrity, and propriety. These are things we to take along with you as well as we all disperse to various parts of the world. Let them envy us, the DWC seeds, as a whole and absolute all-rounder bunch and make the next generation selfishly all about us. meet again. To all the distinguished staff of this school, when the time comes and you see any of us in our various elevated positions, don't hesitate to share our pride as you all played a part in what we are going to become. Don't worry; we won't be blaming you for any short-comings in our lives. Thank you for all you have done, for being people of influence and guidance. For being more than conventional teachers, for being more than just the students with whom you engaged in the same activity, for making us recognised members of the Day Waterman College community, and always competing with us, because it helped us to buckle up! Our reasons for saying ''thank you'' are all unique, and yet, it is still all about us. My greatest gratitude is to Mr Tayo Aderinokun. Unlike many others, he had wealth and did not forget those who do not have. He provided me and other scholarship students of this graduating class with an opportunity to become who we are all going to be. It is with a note of great sorrow that I graduate this day, knowing that he is not present to witness this occasion; I owe it all to him and every single person that has watered the plants; he planted the seed. I am now supposed to say good-bye to this institution, those who keep it running, teachers and non-teaching staff, and my fellow graduands, but I hope this farewell is more of a ''see you later'' than a final goodbye since we all are still striving to make an impact in the world. But first, let's go get those pieces of paper that tell us that we are smart enough to make an impact! To other students that will follow in years to come, commit yourselves to every task set, for it is when your entire being is committed to something that it is achieved with ease. Also, most importantly, establish a good rapport with everyone you meet now, because you never know where you will 13 Honours Day /Valedictory Speech By: The Head Boy, Ichechi Weli Good afternoon Board of governors, distinguished guests, staff, parents and fellow colleagues. I would like to formally welcome us all to this prestigious event and hope for an eventful time. I am highly privileged to be speaking to you today at DWCs Honours Day ceremony. Let us all congratulate our year 11 students, who after a nerveracking two-year, course have successfully completed their IGCSEs. May they all pass with flying colours and exceed expectations! A famous quote, by the famous explorer Christopher Columbus once said, “You can never cross the ocean unless you have the courage to lose sight of the shore.” Today our Year 11s have taken a major step in their future. The choice of what to do next is theirs. Without the courage and faith to step away from the known and venture into new areas, we cannot go further than our current shore. So as our year 11s lose sight of the shore called 'Day Waterman College', may they venture into a new and challenging world where they will make decisions for greatness. Like the sailor, we must all be willing to risk losing sight of the shore before we can cross the ocean and reach our dreams. As Head Boy along with the Prefect ship body, we have accomplished much during this session. In terms of academics, the Prefect ship body have undertaken prep duty rotas where Prefects are assigned to certain year groups with the assistance of a member of staff. The prep duty has been successful and provides a conducive place for homework and preparation. Today is also a day of reward and recognition. It gives me great pleasure to congratulate all those students who will be 'prize-winners' as well as all the students who have 14 performed to his/her ability in this 2011/12 session. I'd like today's celebration of achievement to also serve as an opportunity for inspiration, especially to those students who may have resigned themselves to a “prize-less” level of performance. However, it would be a mistake to see events like this one as a celebration only of the top achievers and award recipients. Today is very much about each student here taking stock of the results of his/her labour, attitude and motivation. Each student here needs to be asking himself/herself about the way forward. Each student here has the potential and the opportunity to be the recipient of future awards. Today is about affirmation and seeking inspiration. But most importantly, it is about the present. And the power each of us has to create new possibilities from this moment forward. So as we recognize our colleagues as they receive their awards, will we attempt to work harder, push ourselves so in future people will recognize us? What we must begin to acknowledge is that the choices we make can bring us closer to or take us further away from our dreams, our goals. I would like to urge each of you to become aware of the Choice you have at any given moment- the choice you have right now, right this minute. A clever student is the one who consciously makes clever choices. Take a moment to look at the choices you need to make in your life. Not only in your studies, but in your family and friendships too. To conclude, with choices come rewards or consequences. Let us depart today with the intention to be the clever student. Let us make effective choices so that next year, we can proudly boast of our awards and achievements. I once 2012 IGCSE: Day Waterman College Shines Bright The first set of graduating students of Day Waterman College who sat the International General Certificate School Examinations (IGCSE) in June this year passed out with flying colours when the results were released in August! The breakdown of the results is as follows: A*-C 94% A*-B 83% A*-A 55% The student who had the highest grades was Odusanya Kemi who walked off with eleven (11) A*s and an A. This puts her in the top 5% of the best performers in the exam globally. This is what 'surpassing the most demanding standards available anywhere in the world' looks like! Thirteen (13) out of our former Year 10 students, who are to sit the same examination next year, decided to have a shot at the Mathematics paper and recorded an astonishing performance: four (4) of them had A* and the rest each had an A! In other words, it was a 100% distinction rate for the Year 10. One of them, Ichechi Weli, who made an A*, also had the distinction of scoring the highest marks in the Maths paper in the whole of Africa! Anger over 'harsh' English GCSE grades An article written by Catherine Sellgren for the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) reported that general performance in the English Language paper was below expectations: ''A leading exam board has said all boards raised their grade boundaries for GCSE English this summer amid claims pupils have been marked too harshly. AQA, the board with the highest market share for English, insists this year's grades were comparable to any other. Many teachers say pupils were marked too harshly, with many unexpectedly failing to get a benchmark C. The Association of School and College Leaders called for an investigation. Some head teachers have said some pupils have been awarded a whole grade lower than they were predicted. Individual schools have reported unprecedented numbers of pupils failing to get a grade C or above''. In GCSE English, 63.9% (DWC=82%) of entries got at least a grade C, compared to 65.4% last summer. Some 15% (DWC=55%) were awarded an A or A*, down from 16.8% in 2011. In English literature, 76.3% (DWC=100%) of exams were awarded A*-C, compared to 78.4% last year, and 23.2% (DWC=50%) got at least an A, against 25% in 2011. Uproar & General Gloomy Moods Because of a general low performance by many students, there were uproar and charges of political interference in the marking of the papers. However, UK's Education Secretary Michael Gove denied political interference in this year's GCSE results, as A*-C grades fell for the first time in the exam's history. Mr Gove insisted exam boards made their own decisions about where to set grade boundaries, amid claims of last minute changes to English GCSE boundaries. Head teachers are angry at a drop in the number of pupils who achieved at least a grade C in their English GCSE. The row broke out as about 658,000 16-year-olds received their results. Across all subjects, the proportion of GCSE entries in England, Wales and Northern Ireland awarded at least a C has fallen for the first time since the exams replaced Olevels in 1988. This year's results, published by the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ), show 69.4% of all subject entries earned grades A*-C (DWC=94%), compared with 69.8% last year. Pupils receiving A* and A grades were down from 23.2% last year to 22.4% (DWC=55%). DWC resting on its oars—never! A good performance is a positive reinforcement. At Day Waterman College, excellence is seen as a way of life, not a one-off event. There is no such thing as luck--the IGCSE result has shown that the teaching innovations being used in the school are effective. The good performance achieved by the students is an encouragement, a moral boost, to all concerned to work harder and smarter so that next year's result will be better than this year's, laudable though it is. The overall performance only reiterates the notion that hard work and preparation bring distinction. As the news of the senior students' result spread throughout the school, the silent message was loud for both teachers and students—success is sweet and worth striving for. The bar has been raised, and it should be up there. Success should be a call for more action, more hard work, more thinking; success should never be a sedative to rest on one's oars! 15 National Art Competition Paul Iroye, Teacher of Arts In June 2012, six students of Day Waterman College submitted entries for the NNPC/CHEVRON National Art Competition. One of the entrants, Otitodirichukwu DarlUzu, made the top twenty out of three hundred paintings submitted for the competition. The theme was: 'Strength in Our Diversity' and entries were submitted from all over the country. One of the amazing things was the fact that as of the time that the entries were submitted, 'Tito, as he is popularly called, was a 13-year old student in Year 9 and by implication competed with older and much more mature students in senior classes. Participation in the competition was for all students in secondary schools without any form of differentiation between senior or junior categories. Feedback from two members of the jury for the competition admitted that they were dazed at the way 'Tito handled chalk pastel in rendering his composition; they felt his mastery was way too high for a child of his age. 16 The Award Ceremony took place at the Atlantic Hall of the Presidential Hotel in Port-Harcourt and it was a great encouragement to 'Tito to see his Dad in attendance to witness the honour given him. The Gods Are Not To Blame Stage Production By: Abayomi Oni The Gods Are Not to Blame, written by Ola Rotimi, is a three-act tragicomedy set in 15th century rural southwestern Nigeria. Rotimi skillfully and heavily draws upon both the Greek theatre and Yoruba culture, extending and transforming Sophocles' Oedipus into a unique tribal drama with relevant, contemporary lessons. responsible for the tragedy that has befallen him. When blocking the final scene during rehearsals, the cast was locked in a heated debate over the notion of destiny. It was, expectedly, left unresolved. But would Odewale's fate have been any different were it not for his uncontrollable hot temper that makes him close his eyes to wise counsel? Odewale's final, roundabout answer is that the gods are not to blame because they always predict what has been fated to be. Now he believes in fate. Tragic though the play is, the playwright Ola Rotimi cleverly weaves humour with colourful proverbs and comic turns with musical rhythms, dance and a rich flavour of Yoruba speech, a combination that has made the play a memorable work of art. The play tells the tale of the tragic hero, Odewale, who is destined to kill his father and marry his own mother and raise children through her. At the heart of the play are the age-long questions about fate—do humans control their own destinies or is it destiny that controls us? Throughout the play Odewale remains unyielding in his belief that man dictates the direction of his destiny in life; he fights valiantly against the forces of destiny—to him humans are the masters of their fate. In his rallying speech at the beginning of the play, as a king, he motivates his people to do more in order to overcome starvation, poverty, and threats from opposing tribes. Even at the end of the play as tragedy unfolds and consumes him, he remains steadfast in his belief. His emphatic plea is: 'No, don't blame the gods' showing clearly his conviction that his own actions alone are This much beloved play was first performed by students of Day Waterman College in the school's theatre, and then later premiered in the UK at the 2012 International Youth Arts Festival, Kingston, in July. In a view to acting it live to a broad Nigerian audience, the play was once again staged at the Muson Centre, Lagos, on 20th October, 2012. It was very refreshing to hear very positive feedback from the parents for a whole day. In fact, Ms Ayotola Jagun (Daminiyi's mother) described it as 'perfect' and she was one of many. One other parent said she watched the play about 20 years before but added that our performance blew her away. She said: 'I wish the writer of the book was here tonight'. Mrs Ahonzie, who flew to London in July to watch both shows even when her child was not yet at DWC, and again watched both shows in Lagos said, 'I can't just get enough. You students seem to get better and better each show’ 17 NIGERIA @ 52: DWC Fashion Show Courtesy: DWC Press Club (Ann-Maree Quaynor, Rute, Chinonye, Odunayo, Kike, Nike and Numay) Nigeria celebrated her 52nd Independence anniversary on October 1st. It was a day to remember! At Day Waterman College lots of events were lined up to mark the memorable day. It started off with a captivating soccer match between students and staff, followed by the cultural Nigerian breakfast of both moi moi and bread or yam and fish stew. Afterwards when everyone came from their boarding houses, there was a Nigerian quiz competition among the houses and an intriguing thriller movie, The Figurine. When houses. They were all wearing traditional wears from different Nigerian tribes with the likes of Titilayo, Nafisah, Angel, Tirola, Daniel, Foluso, Fade, Chiemelah, Tobore and many more displaying their unique cultural attires. We interviewed some of the students on what they thought of the fashion show and this is what they had to say: Morayo: “It was a good opportunity for people to show their different traditional wear” Kikelomo: “I liked to see the different attires from the different boarding houses.” Bunmi: “I enjoyed seeing different clothes and personalities coming out in their native attires.” it was lunch time, everyone went back to their boarding house to change into traditional clothing and filed to the Dining Hall to dine on jollof rice and suya chicken. As usual the girls 'were fashionably late' as they returned back to the Multi-Purpose Hall to finish watching the movie. Shortly afterwards, the real fun began. The fashion show started at about 4:21 pm. The number of people representing each boarding house varied. There were models from each of the various boarding 18 There was also very loud and entertaining music that accompanied by the models as they were walking beautifully down the runway. Everyone gave the models a loud applause. There were also very entertaining talent acts inbetween the fashion show. October 1st was obviously a day to remember, not just because of the spectacular fashion but because it was a time when we could celebrate Nigeria's independence from colonial rule and all feel like a big family. INDEPENDENCE MATCH: Students vs Staff Courtesy: DWC Press Club (Teleola Adelusi) On October 1st, 2012, Day Waterman College students and staff came together to celebrate Nigeria's 52 Independence Day with a bang! The day started off with a soccer match, students against teachers. At 7:32AM all the players were on the field and warming up with different passes and exercises to help them get ready for the soccer match. I did a pre-action interview with some of the players on how they felt about the soccer match. Mr. Akadiri Q: What do you think of the school having a soccer match? (Ohi): 3-2 (Dara): 2-1. A: ”I think the soccer match is a great way to celebrate Nigeria's independence and also DWC is known for having a soccer match to celebrate some events in the school. Q: What was the main reason you've come for the soccer match? Q: What scores do you predict for this match? A A: “I feel confident enough to say that we {the teachers} will win by 3-1 and I am going to give them a gift, to beat them!” There were several misses and falls by both teams, especially several falls of Mr. Ayansola (a teacher) and goal misses by Chigozie (student). (All): Mainly BODY and SKIN! The match was full of amazing twists and many surprising turns, but, at the end, the outcome shocked the teachers! I also asked some of the spectators what they looked forward to. Of course, the gallant students beat them 5-3! Ohi, Dara & Ines What an unforgettable event!! Q: What do you think the scores will be? A (Ines): Students 3-1 19 NIGERIA @ 52: Quiz Competition Courtesy: DWC Press Club (Lisa Oguike, Ore Omisore, Atirola Obileye, Nneka & Destiny Nwadire) The quiz was one of the many fun activities set out for INDEPENDENCE DAY. As everyone entered the Multipurpose Hall music was played for entertainment. We were all arranged in our coloured houses, the tension was slowly rising, obviously because the quiz was about to begin. Derin E. said,”the independence quiz is a very good idea because it teaches us about the history of Nigeria” Some time was taken for the houses to pick out a representative. After this Mr. Bello came on the stage and introduced the Time Keeper – Mr Taiwo and the recorder. After this he showed a detailed PowerPoint to prepare the representatives for the quiz. The quiz then began. The questions began easy then gradually became harder. There were 3 rounds of 6 sections each. At the end of the quiz Yellow House came first with 32 points. Followed by Purple House who came 2nd with 27 points. Red House came third with 26 points, and then Blue House scored 25 points and Green House brought up the rear with 22 points. Some people had different views on the quiz. Chiemella M. she said it was boring and lasted too long. However, Nadine O.S. said that she liked the quiz but it didn't start early enough. Overall the quiz was a huge success and it should be an annual event. 20 Year 7 Students Visits Olumo Rock Recollections from two participants AIZOE OKAISABOR is a Year 7Ystudent of Day Waterman College. He opens up on his experiences. I had been on very few trips in my previous school but this was the most exciting and artistic. It was on a Saturday morning and the bus was waiting for us. I had never been to Olumo Rock nor even heard of it, so I expected it to be boring. The classes going on the trip were 7D, A & Y. Mr Akadiri was the adult that escorted us there. Olumo Rock has steep steps and quite a beautiful sight. Before we climbed the Rock, we had plantain chips and Caprisonne. After that we went into the art gallery to observe the paintings people had done about Olumo Rock. entire drive was silent because everyone was just looking out the window. About 10 minutes later, we were at Olumo Rock. Olumo Rock is a very mountainous area with a lot of steep areas; the place is a village. Olumo Rock is quite big for a mountainous area around a village. There were a lot of goats around; some of us were a bit scared because of a goat with a red necklace and black all over was suspected The paintings were professional and creative. The tour guide said that the paintings were for sale, too! We finally climbed the rock; there the tour guide told us stories about how people hid in the rock during war. We clambered up the rock to the top and we could practically see the whole of Abeokuta from where we stood! The journey was tiring and long but I enjoyed it so much. I wouldn't mind going there again! to possess a form of witchcraft. There was the fear among some of us, a general belief, that if you were rude to an elderly woman she would put a curse on you! The guide took us round and showed us some paintings that were being sold in a shop nearby. We eventually climbed the rock. The tour guide showed us different parts of the rock, telling us some facts like how people in the past used it to hide during the war and how villagers used to live in some of the caves. He showed us some left-over artefacts of the people. I learned that Olumo Rock can host birthday parties! KOYINSOLA OLUSANYA is a Year 7Y student of Day Waterman College. She shares her experiences. Finally, it was time for us to go back to school. We had jollof rice with water for lunch—how delicious! We took a class group photograph to always remind us about the day. I think that the Olumo Rock trip was okay but it could be better; I sort of enjoyed it. It was on a Saturday morning; Classes 7D, A and Y were going for their first field trip at Day Waterman College. There were three buses for each class. On the bus, some of the parts of the seats were a bit torn but I liked the bus anyway. On the way, the journey was a bit boring and the 21 Meet the new members of the DWC Team Attracting exceptional talent to its workforce is one of the DWC's strategic plans of achieving its vision of surpassing the most demanding standards available anywhere in the world. Ladies and gentlemen, it is with great pleasure to introduce to you the following experienced professionals and human resources who have joined the Day Waterman College family. Lyn Newell (Principal) Lyn is an experienced teacher, middle and senior leader, having worked in multicultural schools in Australia and the UK. Since1989 she worked in both outstanding and challenging UK schools. As Assistant Head for the last ten years her responsibilities included raising achievement, staff development, teacher training, teaching and learning, key stage leadership, international dimensions, student voice, parents and community and public relations. Achievements include gaining school accreditations and promoting the school through student achievement at national and international level, managing the Maria Fidelis Gospel Choir which won BBC Senior School Choir of the year 2010, performed for the British Royal Family, the Pope and in other high profile events. She gained an MBA at Southbank University, London and the National Professional Qualification for Head teachers through the National College at the Institute of Education, University of London. She teaches art and design. Teresa Onyemah (Co-Principal) Teresa was born and raised in Lagos, Nigeria, but lived most of her adult life in England. She obtained her first and second degrees at the University of Ibadan and the University of North London, respectively. She brings to Day Waterman College 10 years' Senior Leadership experience and 6 years as a Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator. She had worked at Kingsland High School, St George's Roman Catholic School and The Royal Docks Community School all within the vibrant inner city of London. Her specialist areas are Teaching and Learning, Special Educational Needs, Pastoral and Behavioural Care. Teresa is also a specialist in English, Religious Education and Child Development. As a successful and visionary educator, she believes that every child's aspiration will be nurtured through a high 22 impact learning environment that encompasses active engagement. Her strong belief in developing independence and personal excellence philosophy extends beyond the classroom walls to include parents, governors, whole school staff and the extended community within which the schools sits. She joins the Day Waterman with passion, energy and the ambition to place the school at the top of the Independent Schools League not only in Nigeria but also the international educational acknowledgement in the world. Adebayo Adelagun Adebayo is a graduate of accountancy with work experience in tax, audit, human resources and operational management. He has implemented engagements such as development of human resources policy, operational policy, finance policy, tax and finance audit and review, among other assignments. He has currently joined Day Waterman College as the Corporate Assurance Manager with the responsibility of ensuring full compliance to school's policies and regulatory requirements. Eva Zalanyi Eva was born in Romania. She gained a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology and Chemistry from the University of Oradea (Romania). She thereafter completed her teacher training course at Goldsmith University, and graduated in 2009. Since then Eva has taught at Erith School in London, with 2500 students in roll. She has taught all aspects of science (Biology, Chemistry and Physics) to KS3 students. She has had the privilege of teaching Double Science and Single Science at GCSE level, Level 2 Applied Science (BTEC First) and Triple Science Biology and Physics at GCSE level. Eva has been a joint teacher of AS Biology and has shared in the running of the week-long Biology Field Trip each Summer Term. In the last two years she was a PGCE mentor working in collaboration with Greenwich University and Goldsmith University. She has joined Day Waterman College as Deputy Head of Science. Eva Zalanyi enjoys reading, dancing, socialising and travelling. Odeleye Samuel Akanni Odeleye is a University of Ilorin graduate of Mathematics with more than 13 years as Mathematics and ICT teacher in international environments. An effective teacher and team player, Odeleye is adept at handling multiple tasks. According to him: ''I am a dynamic and creative teacher, committed to learning and teaching. I am good at humanistic work that seeks to integrate the knowledge between how to do and how to be''. He has been hired to teach Mathematics/ICT at Day Waterman College. Patricia Kanebi Mrs Patricia Kanebi is a trained Nurse/Midwife (UCH Ibadan and Central Hospital, Benin City respectively). She worked for the old Bendel State Government for 11years. She joined the EKO HOSPITALS, Ikeja, in 1990, as a Senior Nursing Sister, and rose to the post of Deputy Chief Matron. Mrs Kanebi was in-charge of the Operating Theatres as well as staff development, Nursing Services. In 2005, having put in 16years, she retired from bedside nursing and joined the British International School as a school nurse/houseparent where she had the responsibility of managing the school's sickbay. While at BIS, she was privileged to attend conferences for Boarding School Nurses and Matrons in 2006 and 2007 in Telford and Loughborough, respectively, both in the United Kingdom. In 2009, she joined the Lekki British International School, Lekki, as Matron/Houseparent in-charge of Girls' Hostels .She was hired to join Day Waterman College in August 2012 as the matron of the Great Olutayo House. Bamidele Oyenuga Bamidele had a BA (Ed) degree in English Language from the prestigious Obafemi Awolowo University. A versatile educator, she has had the opportunity to instruct a wide variety of students from all backgrounds and all facets of society in international schools like Adesoye College Offa, Atlantic Hall, Epe and Christland College, Idimu. Bamidele is a compassionate and approachable teacher with more than twelve (12) years of hands-on teaching experience. In her own words: ''I remain sensitive to children's unique needs, employ effective listening, provide individual and whole group support, integrate multicultural teaching units, and offer positive encouragement and reinforcement to keep students focused and motivated''. Her goal is to foster and maintain an open, honest, communicative, and supportive classroom, in which each student feels safe, secure, special, and appropriately challenged. She has brought her experience and versatility to the teaching of English at Day Waterman College. Charles Ogunbiyi Charles is a 1992 graduate of Linguistics; he holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Education. A seasoned and resourceful educator with 18 uninterrupted years of experience, he has been an English/Literature learning facilitator of both the Nigerian and British curricula to a wide range of students from all backgrounds in a number of international schools such as CTC International School, Ikeja, Christ The Redeemer's College, Sagamu, Corona Secondary School, Agbara and Atlantic Hall, Poka-Epe. Charles' professional training and workshops include Differentiated Learning, Social /Emotional Aspects of Learning, Behaviour Management and Every Child Does Matter. He believes that every student should be motivated, monitored and mentored for his/her all-round development. Aside his job of teaching English language, he engages in taekwondo. 23 Bamidele Morenike Mrs Bamidele Morenike is a graduate of Science Laboratory f r o m Ya b a C o l l e g e o f Technology, Yaba, Lagos State. She holds a post-graduate diploma in education. She has taught in many secondary schools for more than a decade before joining Day Waterman College as an Assistant Laboratory Technician. She loves reading novels, listening to music and watching football matches. Christopher Jegede Christopher Jegede attended University of Ilorin where he graduated with honours in Religious Studies. Subsequently, he went on to obtain a post graduate diploma in corporate finance and administration from Nigerian College of Administration, a Master's degree in Social Work with special reference to Child Welfare from the Lagos State University and a post graduate diploma in education{PGDE}from the National Teachers' Institute, affiliated to Uthman Dan Fodio University, Sokoto. Christopher has served in reputable and renowned private secondary schools in Nigeria both as a teacher, house parent and administrator, with 20 years' experience. Happily married, he is blessed with three children {all boys}aged 16, 12, and 6 respectively. Currently, he teaches Religious Education in the Humanities Department at Day Waterman College. Emma Preston Emma graduated from the University of Salford in 2000 and was awarded the degree of Bachelor of Arts in Modern Foreign Languages-- French, Italian and Linguistics. Having worked as a multilingual technical analyst at IBM for several years after graduation, she decided that her heart lay in teaching; therefore, in 2002, she enrolled on the PGCE course at Liverpool John Moores University. Emma is very excited about moving to Nigeria and taking up her role as 'Curriculum Leader for Modern Foreign Languages' at Day Waterman College. She says she has been regularly reading the school's newsletters and very much impressed with the changes the school is making and 24 the positive impact this is having on teaching and learning. She aims to make her own contribution to this inspiring development at the school. Dele Adetunji Dele obtained HND and OND in Mechanical Engineering from the Lagos State Polytechnic and the Federal Polytechnic Bida, respectively. He holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Business Administration from the Lagos State University. Mr Adetunji worked at WSE, Lagos, as a Network/Field Engineer for over four years where his primary responsibilities were to deploy, manage system networks, and install automated systems. He has joined Day Waterman College as a works officer (Internal Services Unit) responsible for the internal mechanical/maintenance works of the school. Folajimi Akinribola Folajimi has been a studio artist all his life with six years classroom experience as a professional teacher. He is familiar with the British and Nigeria National curricula for Art and Design in secondary schools. He has had the opportunity of working in multiracial schools and taught students from African countries, Asia, Middle-East, UK, Canada, and the United States. Folajimi bagged his first degree in Fine and Applied Art from Adeyemi College Ondo, where he specialized as a sculptor and produced a sculpture of eighteen feet for his final year Art Project. He has, in addition, obtained a Cambridge International Diploma for teachers and trainers with distinction. He is a certified Microsoft PowerPoint 2010 specialist. He says: ''Born into the family of artists and art teachers, my whole life revolves around Art and Design''. Day Waterman College has employed him to teach Art. Imoninya Rose Eloho Mrs Imoninya is a trained Nurse and Midwife of over 25 years' experience. She was trained as a Nurse in the State School of Nursing, Benin City, from October 1982 to November 1985 and as a Midwife with the Lagos State School of Midwifery, Awolowo Road, Ikoyi, for a year. She was duly registered with the Nursing Council of Nigeria and the Midwifery Council of Nigeria in 1986 and 1991 respectively. Ever since, Mrs Imoninya has worked at different hospitals in various capacities: a Nursing Sister in charge of the Inpatient Department at Golden Cross Infirmary on 22, Road Festac Town from 1992 to 1997; the Matron in charge in Rophe Hospital, Anambra Crescent, Agbara Estate, Agbara, Ogun State. Now at Day Waterman College, she is the Matron of Olufunlola Boarding House. Adetoun Akinfenwa Adetoun is an Accounting graduate of Ogun State University. She is a seasoned banker with over 10 years with experience across various banking units. She has experience in marketing and sales. Adetoun is a mother of two and happily married. Currently, she is the Corporate Affairs Manager of DWC. She is involved in the drama ministry of her church as she loves acting. She loves reading novels and watching television. Benedict Itankelea Benedict has worked in some international schools in Lagos, Nigeria. As a drama teacher, he has a couple of published works which include 100 DAYS WITH GOVERNOR RAJI FASHOLA and THE NIGERIAN SPIRIT (an Independence-Day play to mark Nigeria at 50); he has acted in plays like THE PALMWINE DRINKARD by Kola Ogunmola, DOCTOR FAUSTUS by Christopher Marlow and many others. He has had the privilege of working with the likes of Sola Fosudo, Bukky Ajayi, Steve Onu (Yaw-Yaw in Wazobia FM), Eferobo Mark (the BBC). Achievements include managing S-TEE schools to win the Jim Ovia (VISAFONE) Essay Competition and Runner-up at the Nigerian Television Authority (N.T.A.) Carnival, 2011. Benedict gained a B.A. in Performing Theatre and Music from the Lagos State University, Ojo. He has also attended The Mount Zion Institute of (Christian) Drama At Day Waterman College, he teaches Drama and has brought experience, resourcefulness and energy to his new assignment. Florence Bamisaye Florence had her secondary education at Amure High School, Ikun-Ekiti, Ekiti State. She took a teacher's certificate in Agricultural Science (Double Major) at the Kwara State College of Education - 20042007. She was a classroom teacher of basic science at Omotayo Nursery and Primary School, Ekiti State. Currently she has been employed as a steward attached to the official quarters of the Co-Principal (Academic) at Day Waterman College. She is good at events management. Oluwatosin Babalola To s i n a t t e n d e d E g b a Comprehensive High School, Asero, Abeokuta, for her school certificate. She later went on to read Accounting at the Lagos City Polytechnic, Ikeja, Lagos State. She has worked as a secretary in a non-governmental organisation, Senior Citizens Assistance Leisure Centre, Abeokuta. She has joined Day Waterman College as a steward attached to the official quarters of the Co-Principal (Pastoral). Tosin loves singing. Temitayo Odulana Temitayo finished his secondary education at Aguda Grammar School, Lagos State. He has 9 years' driving experience. He has been employed by DWC as a driver attached to the Lagos Liaison Office. 25 Towards surpassing the most demanding standards available anywhere in the world. We welcome the next generation of LEADERS Prospective students are invited to apply for admission into Years 7 to 10 for the 2013/2014 School Year. Entrance examination will be held on Saturday, 19 January 2013 by 10:00am at the listed exam centres. Application forms can be obtained for N20,000 at the listed exam centres. Day Waterman College Asu Village Road, off Sagamu-Abeokuta Exp, Ogun State Tel: 0805 869 8081 The Intellichild School 20, Rd 6932, Abuja Model City, Gwarinpa II, Abuja Tel: 0805 503 0077 Lakeland School Asu Village Road, Plot 4 Ogunu Road, Warri, Delta State Kaduna Business School 17 Gobarau Road, Ugwar Rimi Kaduna State Tel: 062 831 308, 062 831 307, 0819 195 9659 Delightsome Land School 229A Muri Okunola Street, Victoria Island, Lagos State Tel: 01-270 1223, 0803 352 7272 Leaves Green School 21 Adekunle Banjo Avenue, Magodo GRA, Lagos State Tel: 0802 942 8711, 0802 642 2291 Standard Bearers School 18 Jerry Iriabe Street, Off Admiralty Road, Lekki Phase 1, Lekki, Lagos State Tel: 0702 917 3442 Cedar Wood School 6 Olaribigbe Street, 5th Avenue Rumuibekwe, Port Harcourt, Rivers State Tel: 0803 312 2894 * Trans Amadi International School 32 St. Andrew’s Street, Rumuobiakani, (Near Shell I.A.) Trans Amadi, Port Harcourt, Rivers State * Entrance examination will hold on Saturday, 12 January 2013 at this centre. N.B.: Please contact our Lagos office to schedule an earlier exam date (before January 19, 2013) for your child. You may also apply by completing an online application form and submitting by e-mail. Once forms are submitted, you can make payment at any Guaranty Trust Bank or Sterling Bank. Please use your child’s name as reference for payment. GTBank: Account name - Day Waterman College; Account number - 208 719639 110 Sterling Bank: Account name - Day Waterman College; Account number - 202 134362 110 For further enquiries, please e-mail – [email protected]; call – 0805 869 8071, 0805 829 8402, 0805 869 8081 or visit our website – www.dwc.org.ng Overseas Applicants: Arrangements can be made for overseas applicants to take the entrance exams in their respective schools. Please contact us on any of our admission phone numbers or by e-mail for further information. Application for Day Waterman College Indigent Scholarship into Year 7 is also open. Please e-mail: [email protected] or call 0805 629 0680 DWC Lagos Liaison Office: 18B Thompson Avenue, Ikoyi, Lagos. DWC GUEST HOUSE The Guest House within Day Waterman College's grounds combines architectural masterpiece, comfort, peaceful ambience with decor excellence. Day Waterman College looks forward to receiving parents and outside speakers—they are always welcome to stay in our 14-room Guest House. The apartments have been tastefully built to enable parents on visits to the campus to relax and recreate. All of the 14 rooms are equipped with modern home gadgets. In addition there are: air conditioning, a restaurant, bar, conference/seminar room, a world-class gym, satellite T.V, internet facilities, intercom, parking, a standard swimming pool with a life guard on hand , LCD Television, among others. The walls of the Guest House are decorated with breathtaking artworks. The marble floors are done to a shining polish. Everything here is world-class and tastefully furnished for your maximum convenience and comfort. The Guest House's Manager and the receptionist are always at your service. The bar attendant's smiles will stay with you for a very long time! Day Waterman College Guest House, Asu Village Road, Off Sagamu-Abeokuta Expressway, Ogun State. Tel: 0805 629 0680, 0805 369 6150, 0805 369 6149 Tel: [email protected] | [email protected] Te www.dwc.org.ng
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