Post Maria Status Report

Convent High School (CHS) established 2 February 1858 did not escape unscathed from Hurricane Maria’s fury on 18 September 2017. CHS situated on Bath Road has been in its present location for 110 years. The structure is E-shaped with two storeys.

The upper floor of southern section suffered 70% roof damage and in some areas complete damage was sustained. This rendered the upper floor unusable as in some cases the windows were blown off.; the southeastern section, suffered roof damage and the partition separating one of the deputy principal’s office from a classroom also got destroyed. In the middle section, which housed the 2 computer labs, Systems Administrator’s room, a Deputy Principal’s office, the Library and three classrooms have been condemned. This section had wooden floor which has been compromised. All 90 desktop computers - thin clients - were damaged along with the equipment in the server room. The preferred library books were all damaged as well.

The northern section which previously housed the nun’s residence, was used as classrooms since the nuns left. That area too has been condemned as the floor and staircase have been compromised; the staircase has actually shifted its position, this has also rendered the school’s Auditorium unusable.

Besides the main campus, the school has an annex across the road which housed the Science Lab and the Geography Room (Fig 4). That building suffered loss of windows and some roof damage. The Science lab housed on the lower floor did not suffer any damage.

Based on an initial estimate from the Diocesan Engineer, the damage to CHS has been estimated at EC $3.63 million.

Presently, school is operating on a shift system using the lower level of the southern section and part of the northern section. In order to bring school back to as close to normal as possible, the following needs to be done:

• the repair to the southern and south-eastern sections. The repair would entail, replacement of the ring beam - right around - as in some areas, the ring beam has shifted or show signs of damage;
• the replacement of rafters and galvanized sheeting,
• the electrical rewiring of the entire floor,
• replacement of a divider between two classrooms,
• the replacement of at least four (4) chalkboards,
  

  

• the replacement of eight (8) classroom doors,
• the replacement of windows on the southern side of the classrooms - 4 classrooms.
• The replacement of the divider between a classroom and one of the Deputy Principal’s office - part of which serves as the sick room.
• Repairs to the roofing leading to the main office - there are a few leaks in the roof.

The above can be categorised as medium term, that is we would love to have these restored in most by September 2018.

In addition, on a very short term and critical basis, in order to have students ready to sit the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) Secondary Exit Certification Exams, those who pursue EDPM and ICT would require equipment - computers. In light of the present situation at the school where there is little room to manoeuvre, the decision has been to request laptops which are portable and can be easily stored in the school’s office. These laptops would not necessitate the use of any large room , and compared to desktops, can be operated wirelessly around the school in any classroom.
For our technology thrust to continue:

• At least 30 laptops
• Four (4) wireless access points and wireless bridges
• Four (4) smart TVs or multimedia projectors
• Two (2) servers as those we had got water damage
• Two (2) AC units
• Two KVM Switches - Linux

In spite of all the challenges, the staff and students have worked hard to get the first term off and running. Staff members showed their resilience and commitment to securing the country’s future.

Over the past month, persons have been hinting that the damage to CHS is minor as they are only what is visible along the way as they traverse along Bath road. To give a clearer idea of the damage sustained, photos were taken of the schools’ main office, the server room, the library area, one of the two computer labs.

The school’s office appears untouched, however, a few sheets of galvanise came off resulting in water damage to the photocopier, duplicating paper stored, a surveillance TV among others. The galvanise has been temporarily replaced however, the school is without duplicating facilities. Additionally the office person are functioning in sweltering conditions post noon daily.

Two of the classrooms in close proximity to the library were destroyed. The roof suffered damage resulting in rain soaking into the wooden floor. The soaked floor has rendered the area unsafe for walking as the water seeps through and has impacted the staff room housed immediately below. Staff at the CHS are now housed on the verandah leading to the school’s office and in the presentation room - an annex of the former Library.

The hub of the school’s technology thrust has been impacted. The passage of Maria led to destruction of vital equipment - servers, computers - used to keep the school humming along. In addition, the two computer labs have been destroyed - all equipment in there suffered water damage. Further due to the nature of the school, the floor - wooden - has rendered the area unsafe. The swollen floor can be felt as one walks across.

Although school appears to be functioning in a near normal manner, additional rooms are needed to execute the school’s programme. In this vein the uncovered or tarpaulin-covered upper level is being utilised, however, on any given day as long as it rains the rooms on the upper level become flooded.

Wet rooms on the upper level

Heartfelt Thank You

Hurricane Maria wreaked havoc on Dominica during its passage on 18th September; the Convent High School (CHS) did not escape unscathed. CHS lost 80% of its roof, preventing the school from using the upper level in its daily functioning. In addition, the computer labs have been condemned as the passage leading to the labs are wooden floors and the volume of water have made the floors unsafe. The loss of roof also caused much damage to the computer hardware.

Staff, students and parents however, rallied their forces and cleaned up the school in order that service to the school community could be resumed. The school wishes to thank the following individuals and organisation for coming to its aid in an attempt to reopen school:

• Parents of students
• Students and Staff
• Scientology volunteers
• Clifftop cleaners
• DOMLEC
• Digicel
• Mr Bernard Lauwyck
• DBS Radio

On 3rd October, the 4th and 5th forms were brought in, but having started it was realised that we could also accommodate the 3rd forms. On November 6th 2017, the school began a shift system with the 3rd, 4th and 5th Formers reporting from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm, and the 1st and 2nd Formers from 12:30 pm to 4:00 pm daily. From the moment we began a number of organisations have provided assistance with drinking water and other services:

• Is There Not a Cause (ITNAC)
• Living Waters Ministries
• Bishop of Roseau
• Discover Dominica Authority (DDA)
• Dominica Brewery and Beverages Limited
• DOMLEC
• FLOW
• The Diocese of Roseau
• Burnette Cadette and Crew
• Mrs Avanelle Clarke

We did it all because of our collective wills!

A New School Building for CHS?

On 18 September 2017, Hurricane Maria unleashed its fury on Dominica and the Convent High School (CHS) did not escape unscathed. The younger section of the school lost 80% of its roof, whilst the older section (110 years) lost its roof also but has been rendered unsafe as rains have soaked into the wooden flooring and in some areas mold have appeared in the wood and concrete. Parts of the Auditorium with wooden ceiling have also been impacted.

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The initial cost of infrastructural damage to CHS has been valued at EC $3.63 million. The newer section needs to have the roof repaired; repairs have been estimated at EC$6,000,000, an official estimate has been prepared. In addition the school requires, laptops, printers, multimedia projectors, furniture - particularly desks - and other other teaching materials.

Maria has however offered us the opportunity to build a new climate resilient school. We have been toying with the idea so this is our chance!

The school appeals to all former students, benefactors and interested persons,organisation to assist us in this renovation and building. The school can be contacted for further details at telephone nos # 767 616 2916 / 2917, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Funds can be sent to the school’s Bankers:
National Bank of Dominica A/c #115004261
or
Royal Bank of Canada A/c # 1000785

CHS thanks you for your anticipated support.

School resumes on Wednesday 6 September

School resumes on Wednesday 6 September from 7:50 am. Regular classes except for post-lunch classes commence on that day for students of forms Two to Four. All students are expected to be in complete uniform; students of Form One should present themselves in regular uniform; students of the other forms who are scheduled for Physical Education on that day should wear the Sports Uniform.

Students of Form One, on Wednesday 6 September, should carry along writing material; Parents/Guardians of these students are encouraged to visit the school's office to fill out the Accident Insurance forms.

The post lunch classes will begin from Tuesday 12 September.

CXC Results 2017

Students and teachers of the Convent High School have once more returned excellent results at the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) and the Caribbean Certificate of Secondary Level Competence (CCSLC). This year, the school obtained a 96.1% CSEC pass and a 100% CCSLC pass. All 28 students who wrote the CCSLC French (15 students) and Spanish (13 students) were in either the Master (17.9%) or the Competent (82.1%) categories. For taste of CXC history at Convent High school, here are the percentage pass rates for the previous eight Years:

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Communications Club Celebrates A Good Year

Communications Club Celebrates A Good Year

The members of the Communications Club journeyed to Picard, Portsmouth on Sunday, 02nd July, 2017 to hold their 10th annual end of year banquet under the theme “Overcoming Every Obstacle to Celebrate Every Success”.This year the club event was hosted again by the Mango Café Bar & Restaurant whose proprietor, Dr. Shiv Dhiman, continued to extend great generosity to the club by providing a delectable dinner in impressive buffet style.

After a welcome by member Wanita Drigo which pointed out that the continued existence of the club proved that it had already overcome many hurdles, the club President Ishita Dhiman gave an account of the year’s activities. She touched on the various events and competitions that the Club participated in beyond their usual contribution to school life.

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