Large turnout of parents and 7th grade students at orientation
By Basil Waite
O ver 250 parents and some 300 7th grade students turned out for orientation at the Melbourne campus on Wednesday, September 2,2009. The parents and their wards started streaming into the Melbourne campus as early as 7am. Teachers and members of the cadet units were on hand to direct the smartly dressed toddlers to the 7th grade class they were assigned whilst the relieved parents headed for the pavilion situate at the northern end of the campus.
Vice-Principal Marguerite Hall addresses parents
At the pavilion, the parents and wardens listened attentively as welcome was by extended by vice principal, Madam Marguerite Hall who outlined the rules of the school regarding punctuality ,proper mode of dress, immunization and disciplinary conduct of their charges and the purpose for which the school was set up as she reiterated the mantra of its founder Bishop Gibson ‘to produce Christian gentlemen’ .Guidance counselor Sonia Watson outlined the detention system and the appeal process, performance criteria, the role and responsibility of parents and emphasised cooperation as central and critical elements. “ Remind your little ones how privileged they are” she pleaded .”Dialogue with them as well as come dialogue with us” she enjoined and indicated that the teachers are very understanding. “Do not send the wrong message through your child” she continued to ringing applause from the parents and guardians.
Students, 7 Clarke
Other stakeholders to bring greetings and outlined the role function of their respective organisation were: Hector Daley-interim president of the PTA; Anthony Allen-KCOBA Jamaica and Captain Barry Miller of the cadet unit.
Dr. Ray Fraser addresses class
Where the new cohorts were concerned, Chairman of Board of KCOBA Jamaica, Dr Ray Fraser visited three classrooms to extend greetings. He outlined the history and traditions of KC and emphasised discipline and hard work as key ingredients of success. He challenged the wide eyed lads to uphold pride and motto and the continued fame of Kingston College as the number one boy school in Jamaica and indeed the Caribbean . The three forms visited were ,7McDonald, 7 Clark and & 7 DeCarteret. It was noted that between 45-50% of the lads had either a father or cousin or uncle or brother who attended KC in the past. The 7 Clark and 7 DeCarteret students were invited to submit an essay entitled ‘First day at KC’ to their class teacher. The winning essay will be published in the KCOBA newsletter.
