Convent High School’s CSEC 2018 Results

One only knows how strong she is when she has no other choice but to be strong!!! This drove the Convent High School in the 2017-2018 Academic Year, post Hurricane Maria. Despite all the challenges, the staff, students and parents forged ahead working tirelessly with limited resources - books, spaces, facilities, duplicating equipment. What a Year!!! One which will live on in our hearts and minds.

The Form 5 students of the 2017-2018 Academic Year are a true test of the popular term ‘Resilience’. These students were the main focus of the school as we marshalled our forces to provide as near a state of normalcy for our students - we used our ingenuity to ensure that we had electricity and internet services as early as October; thanks to the service providers.

As mentioned at the June 2018 Graduation ceremony, everyone was on high alert to await the CSEC performance as the school had a new Driver, Maria added fuel to this wait by throwing us a wrench. On August 16 2018, the long awaited news was delivered. CHS performed creditably with a 97% overall pass rate - wow!

Congratulations to the Staff, Students, Parent/Guardians and our benefactors who worked hard and as a team to get the student to this great moment. Here is a breakdown of the school’s performance:

CHS TOP STUDENTS CSEC JUNE 2018

10 ONEs

Grace B Etienne - 1 TWO

9 ONEs

Megan N Luke - 1 THREE

Makayla E Bedneau - 1 THREE

Kianne A Benjamin

Shaniah L Edwards

8 ONEs

Kaila-Ann D K Guiste - 1 TWO

Serena R R Maxwell - 1 TWO

7 ONEs

Shakiah K Dangleben - 2 TWOS

Melissa K Williams - 2 TWOS

Ruth-Anne T Henderson - 1 TWO

6 ONEs

Chelsea D Bertrand - 3 TWOS, 1 THREE

Sergeline Michel - 3 TWOS, 1 THREE

Talliyah F Fontaine - 2 THREES

Debbie S A Daway - 1 TWO

5 ONEs

Thais A Jno Baptiste - 3 TWOS , 1 THREE

Bethany J Vital - 2 TWOS, 2 THREES

Dalsha Douglas - 2 TWOS

A listing of the individual subjects and the results:

* Theatre Arts was offered for the first time.

The students, staff and parents were ably assisted in the extra ordinary year by a number of persons. CHS wishes to thank all these individuals and groups both here and overseas for reaching out to us and providing assistance in such trying times. We especially thank Mr Robert Dumbell - EDC Consultants, Miss Jasmine Baksh, Sr Hilda Verdonck, Mrs Germaine Rabess and the CHS Ontario Alumni Association, Taisha Hill, Mr & Mrs Gerard-Pease, The British High Commissioner, Mrs Donna Ramsammy & PowerGen (Trinidad & Tobago), Mrs Denise Edwards-Dowe, Is There Not A Cause, Living Waters Community, Grenlec, Caribbean Culture Group (Rome), Nassief Foundation, Friends of Jamaica in Seattle, Estate of Anthea Mondesire, Margaret Greenaway-Chaplin & the Commonwealth of Nations Committee of Greater Philadelphia, Avanelle Clarke, Shaeima Joseph, Marlene & Ian Lambert, Cobra Tours, DOMLEC, DIGICEL, Flow, Mr & Mrs Shaka Dangleben, Mrs Francine Baron-Royer, Attitude Construction - everyone of you helped get the students directly or indirectly to this point. Your support through the provision of temporary roof cover, finance, prayers, laptops, water, voluntary labour and other provisions got us here.

Jorjanna is Miss Teen Dominica 2018!

On 14 April 2018, fifteen year old 3rd form student Jorjanna Albert copped the title of Miss Teen Dominica 2018!

Despite the numerous challenges she faced in the post-Hurricane Maria atmosphere, during her many months of training Jorjanna put in the work and effort necessary to secure her victory. From a field of five contestants, she secured the top position in the categories of Best Speech, Best Performing Talent, and Best Response to Question.

Jorjanna has decided to use her platform to promote positive change in this world through the avenue of youth empowerment.

After many hugs and smiles at the announcement of the results, Jorjanna thanked God, Team CHS, her teachers, the CHS, her parents, Team Jorjanna, and her sponsors the CHS Foundation, Toujour Haute Couture, Sunflower Bakery, and Bunny’s Cakes and Catering for aiding her on her journey and ensuring that she shined.

Team CHS and Team Jorjanna express their heartfelt gratitude for all the time, treasure, and talent donated in the endeavour of making sure that the crown remained home at CHS through the talented Jorjanna Albert.

Barrels of Love for Dominican school

Some 1,500 pounds of goods in several “Barrels of Love” was sent to the Convent High School in Roseau, Dominica earlier this week thanks to the Power Generation Company of Trinidad and Tobago Ltd (PowerGen). Read more ...

CHS at Secondary Schools Athletics Competition 2018

Congratulations are in order to the following students who represented Convent High School at the Secondary School Athletics Competition on March 8 and 9, 2018:

• Cashanté Benjamin (2-2)
• Jasmine Thomas (3-3)
• Jemima Mills (4-A)
• Tia George (4-C)
• Kianne Benjamin (5-B)
• Ashante Matthew (5-D)
• Dainisha Eusebe (5-D)

Results:

• Kianne Benjamin - Gold 100m Girls U21
• Tia George, Ashante Matthew, Danisha Eusebe and Kianne Benjamin - Gold 4 x 100m relay Girls U21
• Tia George - Silver 100m Girls U21, Silver 200m Girls U21, Bronze Long Jump Girls U21
• Tia George will be representing Dominica at the Junior Carifta Games in the Bahamas over the Easter weekend.

Special mention

• Cashanté Benjamin (200m, 400m, 800m U17 Girls)
• Jemima Mills (Javelin, Discus, Shot Put U21 Girls)
• Jasmine Thomas (Javelin, Discus, Shot Put U17 Girls)

Thank you

• Sir Charles Joseph (Tia, Jasmin, Ashante, Dainisha and Cashanté’s coach)
• Mr. Emanuel LoBlack (Olympian’s Athletic Club - Kianne Benjamin’s coach)
• Miss Natasha Jervier (Teacher - SMSS) - supervision of athletes.
• Parents/guardians of the athletes - giving consent and supporting athletes.
• Canteen staff - for providing snack and lunch on both days.
• CHS students who came to support the girls on both days.
• Teachers - Ms. Williams, Mr. Cesar & Mr. McAulay - registration and supervision of athletes.
• Administration and Staff of CHS - general support of athletes.

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!