Wade Tobin during the Professional Day for Educators held at the Eileene L. Parsons Auditorium, August 27, 2012
Photo Credit: Melissa Edwards/BVI Platinum News
Wade Tobin during the Professional Day for Educators held at the Eileene L. Parsons Auditorium, August 27, 2012
Photo Credit: Melissa Edwards/BVI Platinum News
The man who will be taking up the position of Acting Principal of the Elmore Stoutt High School (ESHS) beginning next month was offered words of encouragement publicly from the Education Minister.
Wade Tobin, former Principal of the Seventh Day Adventist Secondary School (SDA) will be acting as Principal of the ESHS in the absence of former Principal Melissa Amey, who is currently on study leave.
"Today I would like to formally announce that Mr. Wade Tobin will now be taking over the leadership of our largest secondary school, the Elmore Stoutt High School. As you all know, Ms. Melissa Amey, Principal of the school is currently on study leave," Hon. Myron Walwyn, Minister for Education and Culture stated yesterday, August 27 during the Professional Day for Educators held at the Eileene L. Parsons Auditorium.
The Minister, in the presence of educators from across the Territory, including Tobin, said he believes that Tobin will make a positive contribution to the education system in his new role.
"Mr. Tobin was on leave from Elmore Stoutt High, where for the past few years he was the Principal of the Seventh Day Adventist Secondary School. I have every confidence in his leadership ability and I know that he will make a stellar contribution to our education system in his new role. I ask all teachers at the Elmore Stoutt High School to please give your full support to Principal Tobin," he stated.
Tobin's new position comes at a time when the Education Ministry has announced several changes for public schools, including a new grading system where the grading standards that currently exist will be raised; there will now be a written policy for supplemental assessments; introduction of new subjects - Virgin Islands History, Financial Services and Tourism; and the sitting of the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) exams beginning in the 2013-2014 school year.
At yesterday's event, the Minister acknowledged that throughout the world, educators are finding that as children age, their zest to get up, go to school, be curious and learn becomes less and less.
"When our students reach high school, secondary school educators must deal with the challenges of raging hormones, young people testing their limits and decreased interest in structured education. In our system we must find opportunities to re-engage these students and help them find a sense of purpose and attachment to a life of learning," he stated.
The Minister told educators that his Ministry recognizes this and to this end, the Department of Education has already been charged and are well on their way to developing more academic competitions between both public and private schools.
"These competitions allow our students to match up against their peers, improve their study habits and provide a platform for students who excel in various subjects to be equally celebrated, as we do our athletically gifted students. Our students need these types of opportunities to also help develop better their social skills and prepare them for the competition they will find throughout life," Hon. Walwyn stated.
The Minister also assured that they will be seeking continuous training opportunities for teachers.
