K.C. Appoints Two “Discipline and Appraisal Coordinators”
On September 1, 2006, the same day the position of Principal of Kingston College was filled by former Vice Principal and Old Boy Rupert Hemmings, he made an appointment, which in my opinion should have been made some time ago. Mr. Hemmings saw it necessary to appoint two persons to the positions of ‘Discipline and Appraisal Coordinators’ (D.A.C’s), one on each campus. History was created with these appointments, as it is the first of its kind within the school’s history.
Mrs. Janice Fairclough
Ms. Karyn Samuels
The person appointed on the senior campus (Clovelly Park) is the vibrant and involved Social Studies teacher and the wife of the newly appointed Manning Cup coach, Mrs. J. Fairclough. On the junior campus (Melbourne Park), the daughter of former school nurse and Guidance Councillor, Mrs. Carol Samuels, and nationally acclaimed photographer and K.C. Old Boy, Mr. Headley Samuels, and teacher of French, Ms. Karyn Samuels. On a personal note, I would say that Mr. Hemmings could not have made a better selection than these two beautiful, energetic and hardworking teachers.
The question of whether K.C. really needs a ‘Discipline and Appraisal Coordinator’ came up and will come up on numerous occasions and the answer to that is a simple one, “yes.” The discipline within the school was cause for concern and in an effort to capitalise on the progress made by Mr. Keith Bryan in this area; Mr. Hemmings felt it necessary to appoint someone to monitor the behaviours and attitudes of the entire student population. As such, the selection of these two teachers to take on that role was timely.
The duties of the ‘Discipline and Appraisal Coordinators’ are wide ranged. Some of the more specific ones include:
Documentation of issues relating to disciplinary problems
Providing updates to the Administration via reports from various meetings and activities.
The establishment of appropriate systems for awards and sanctions which will include the merit/demerit system.
Meet and communicate with parents of students with disciplinary concerns
Assist in the development of a Code of Conduct for students
The monitoring of punctuality of the academic staff
The job requires confidentiality; therefore Mrs. Fairclough and Ms. Samuels were both given private offices on their respective campuses, which includes a desk and chair, a filing cabinet and a computer.
When I asked Ms. Samuels if the appointment was showing results on the Melbourne campus, she responded with a confident “yes.” It is also obvious on the North Street campus that the level of indiscipline has fallen since the start of the year. It was pointed out that students with an average of below forty-five percent (45%) after last terms End of Year Exams were placed on academic probation. Detentions were given to students based on their tardiness, their attitude both towards their teachers and their schoolwork. Detentions can also be given if students fail to complete homework given. Sixth Formers and teachers monitor these detentions after either Mrs. Fairclough or Ms. Samuels has assigned them. The school year beginning September 2006, started out on a better note as a result of a more organised management system that includes the ‘Discipline and Appraisal Co-ordinators.’ Looking back at the year beginning September 1, 2006, I can confidently say a job well done to Mrs. Fairclough and Ms. Samuels, our ‘Discipline and Appraisal Coordinators.’
Twan Beckford is a young KC old Boy and a member of the school’s administrative staff.
