2015 AGM Report - Merl Grove High School

MERL GROVE HIGH SCHOOL PSA
ANNUAL REPORT 2015
MISSION
To provide support
and guidance to the
school to fulfill the
school’s Mission.
*********
Inside this issue:
Annual General 3
Meeting
Breakfast
3
Programme
Mentorship
Programme
4
Quiz Team
6
Labour Day
Project
7
Clean-up Day
7
Sports
7
Development
Submitted by: Elizabeth Watson
Date:
January 29, 2015
MERL
GROVE
HIGH SCHOOL
PSA
ANNUAL REPORT—2015
Page 2
Message from the Merl Grove High School
Past Students’ Association
Jamaica President
Dear Fellow Alumni
It has been a pleasure serving in the capacity of MGHS PSA Jamaica
President for the period under review. I commend my fellow sisters locally and in the Diaspora for working tirelessly and selflessly in accomplishing the many goals and going beyond duty’s call to maintain the Association’s mission A deep gratitude to fellow Presidents in the NEAC,
Canada and New York Chapters.
The year 2014 was a memorable one; the school celebrated its 90th
anniversary! Thanks be to God for preserving our heritage. Such nostalgia!! Past students trekked down
memory lane and delved in the school’s history gaining a better appreciation for the vision of our founders
Miriam and Nathaniel Speid . We owe them a deep sense of gratitude for affording excellence in various
spheres. Past students have ‘stamped’ their mark as ‘pacesetters,’ leaving a solid path for our younger sisters
to follow. As a result of these accomplishments, MGHS is being sought after by GSAT students desirous of
pursuing a solid secondary education at this prestigious institution. Thanks to the ‘cadre’ of administrators,
teachers and students who have endeavoured to make the best opportunity of successfully attaining passes in
the CSEC and CAPE Examinations.
On Saturday, January 31, 2015, I encourage past students to attend the annual general meeting to elect the
MGHS PSA Jamaica Executive. I welcome the new team whole heartedly; confident they will continue to
carry the Association’s flag high in pursuit of the mission. I am assured that the Parent Teachers’ Association
along with supporting groups: the national mentors participating in the National Mentorship Programme and
the Class of 1963 past students will maintain their contribution to the school’s welfare in pursuit of inspiring
our younger sisters to matriculate to their ‘choice’ institution of higher learning to fulfill their God-given potential.
As retiring president, I express gratitude to the Board of Management for its dedication and commitment and
encourage their continued professional manner in the management of the school’s operations.
May God continue to bless you all and have a prosperous 2015!!!
The Annual Report for the 2014-15 period is hereby submitted. See summary of activities and highlights for
the period.
Elizabeth Watson (Dr.)
Retiring President
January 28, 2015
MERL
GROVE
HIGH SCHOOL
PSA
Page 3
ANNUAL REPORT—2015
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
The Annual General Meeting for the academic year 2013/2014 was postponed from November 2013 and subsequently held on Saturday, January 18, 2014. The Annual General Meeting for the academic year 2014/2015
will be held in the Karram-Speid Auditorium on January 31, at 2:00 p.m.
Founders’ Week
The 2013 Founders’ Week celebration was held during the week
November 23- commencing with a Thanksgiving Service at the Rehoboth Gospel Assembly and Prize-giving
Service on November 26.
Constitution
The Association is governed by its Constitution and upholds the Mission and Purpose as follows:
Mission
The Mission Statement: To provide support and
guidance to the school to fulfill the school’s
Mission”.
THE EXECUTIVE
The retiring executive members are:
Dr. Elizabeth Watson – President
Ms. Tishawa Gallimore – 1st Vice President
Ms. Shelly-Ann Morgan– 2nd Vice
President
Mrs. June Coward-Fearon – PRO
Ms. Barbara Dunkley – Treasurer
Ms. Fiona Brooks—Asst. Treasurer
Ms. Paula Gordon – Secretary
Ms. Anique McKie– Asst. Secretary
Mrs. Norma Lattibeaudere-Dixon, Auditor
Purpose
The Association exists to:
“ promote and protect the image of the Merl
Grove High School Community, maintain contact between past/ present students, form strategic alliances with other groups dedicated to promoting the school’s welfare and assist students
to complete a formal education”.
The operations of the Association for the year under review are as follows:
WELFARE PROGRAMME
Mindful of the varying needs of our sisters, the PSA
places high priority on their welfare. The Programme
embodies the Breakfast and
Mentorship Programmes along with provision of
scholarships and bursaries.
Breakfast Programme
The Association continues its partnership with LASCO
Financial Services by providing breakfast for some
students coupled with a monthly breakfast treat. One
hundred and twenty students were treated to breakfast
on MGHS PSA Day, November 17, 2014, which was
made possible by the ‘Friends of the PSA’. The Association continues its appeal for partners in the above
programme.
Page 4
MERL GROVE HIGH SCHOOL PSA
The cost for breakfast is J$100.00, less than an
American/Canadian dollar.
dently, effectively and responsibly in their respective
communities”. Grades 7 and 10 students have benefitted from this programme.
Easter distribution
Bun and cheese were distributed to students for the
Easter season (April). Special thanks to the donors.
PSA Scholarship and bursary
Five (5) scholarships and six (6) bursaries were
awarded under The Lance Smith Memorial Scholarship Fund. Our gratitude to past student Loubelle
Smith and her family.
Mentorship Programme
MGHS past students are participants in the National Mentorship Programme (Respect Agenda
Programme) The mission - ‘to promote civil values, good attitudes and good civil behavior to:
“make Jamaica the place of choice to live, work,
raise families and do business”. We are confident
this interactive programme will “empower our sisters to make positive life choices to enable the
maximizing of their potential and thereby become
well-rounded individuals able to function confi-
A team of dedicated mentors: Elizabeth Watson,
Norma Latttibeaudere-Dixon, Sharon Dookie, Hortense Rose, June Coward-Fearon, Pauline Bain, Shawn
Ashman, Margaret Khaleel and Elfreda Trottman, interact with mentees twice monthly. The programme
coordinator, Mr. Reginald
Budhan exudes confidence in the team as expressed in
correspondence to team leader and President Watson
that he has “…confidence in ranking the Merl Grove
Mentors to be the most motivated and passionate at
the moment” This in reaction to article Jamaicans
Giving Back Through Youth Mentorship produced
by J.I.S on the programme launch at King’s House on
March 28.
Mentors were officially installed as National Mentors
by The Governor General, His Excellency the Most
Honourable Sir Patrick Linton Allen, at an installation
ceremony at Kings House on March 28.
FR: Mentors Liz and Elfreda with Guidance Counsellor Juanita Hunter
BR: Mentors Hortense, June, Norma, Sharon, Principal Alexander, Mentor Pauline and
Programme, Co-ordinator Reginald Budhan. Absent: Shawn Ashman, Margaret Khaleel
MERL
GROVE
HIGH SCHOOL
PSA
ANNUAL REPORT—2015
Page 5
Contact Day
Contact Day is the mentorship Programme for 6 th form students and other year groups. Coordinator June Coward-Fearon is appealing to past students for their assistance in this vital programme to share, motivate and inspire students.
Sixth Form Workshop
Sixth form students attended seminar entitled ‘Outclassing the Competition’ on March 21 arranged by the
PSA and conducted by Ms. Danielle-Beverley Phillips Etiquette Consultant, Cover letter, CV and Resume
Writer. A very timely and informative topic.
Sixth Form Workshop
MERL
GROVE
HIGH SCHOOL
PSA
ANNUAL REPORT—2015
Page 6
CONTRIBUTIONS
The PSA places on record, contributions from past students to two Welfare
Funds for our younger sisters.
Quiz Team
Congratulations to the Quiz Team: Naomi Edwards (captain), Jamila Beckford, Moesha Cameron and Jahan Myrie for their performance in the 2014
TVJ Schools’ Challenge Quiz Competition. PSA members provided moral
support by attending the recording of matches at the TVJ Studio. Thanks to
Coach Austin and able assistant immediate past captain Oneilya Hall for the
tireless hours spent in the team’s preparation. Special thanks to members locally and in the Diaspora who provided financial assistance for the team.
CSEC/CAPE
EXAMINATIONS
The Association extended congratulations to students for their
performance in the 2012 CSEC
and CAPE Examinations.
They have lived up to the
school’s motto “Hard Work
Overcomes All Difficulties”.
NEWSLETTER
TEACHERS’ DAY
A special edition was published and distributed in November to commemorate the
90th celebrations.
The 2014 MGHS Teachers’
Day function held at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel under the
Theme: ‘Teaching:
A Way of Life’ saw President
Watson bringing greetings on
behalf of past students worldwide.
Executive members Tishawa and Shelly-Ann at breakfast treat
MERL
GROVE
HIGH SCHOOL
PSA
ANNUAL REPORT—2015
SIXTH FORM BEAUTIFICATION PROGRAMME
A contribution was made by the Association to the above
programme. The PSA applauds all the Grades for their effort in
beautifying the campus. Keep up the good work!
2014 LABOUR DAY PROJECT
The 2014 Labour Day Project got off’ to an early start on Friday,
May 23. It was an interesting sight to see past students of the
Class of ’63 and executive members undertake the task of painting and landscaping. We were ably assisted by Teacher Drysden,
representative from the Parent Teachers’ Association along with
a few cadets.
Page 7
SPORTS DEVELOPMENT
A donation of fifteen (15) pairs of shin
guard were handed-over to Ms. Dawson, Head of the P.E. Department on
February 11 to aid the hockey team’s
participation in the 2014 ISSA under 19
Schools’ Hockey Competition.
A donation of tote bags were presented
to the hockey team in January 2015
compliments of past student Faith.
CANTEEN PROGRAMME
Association president and member of
the
above
committee
provided
‘oversight’ for the canteen operations
during the months of May to July.
The tiling of two (2) additional classrooms on the Grade 10 block,
painting of verges, planting of flowers completed the beautification project. Kudos to the labourers for a job well done.
2014 Clean-up Project
It is said: ‘cleanliness is next to godliness’. Armed with paint and
paint brushes, the PSA assisted in the school’s clean-up project on
Saturday, August 23. With the aid of our football friends the PSA
continued its Labour Day Project by painting three (3) classrooms
on the Grade 10 block. The PTA was well represented on this project.
Class of ‘63 painters: Marie, Elfreda and
Audrey