Soufriere Comprehensive School SMART Class Appeal
Donation protected
https://www.facebook.com/cenacky/videos/10159452729523619 The Soufriere Comprehensive School (SCSS) was first established as a Junior Secondary School in 1970. In 1979, the island gained Independence from the United LKingdom. As part of the island’s independence celebrations the junior secondary schol was upgraded to a Comprehensive Secondary School. Today, past and current pupils, former and current employees and friends of SCSS are coming together with one purpose - to give more; to give back. The mission is to raise no less than US $100,000 by July 24th 2021, to design, equip and maintain a Smart Classroom.
If COVID has taught us nothing, it has certainly demonstrated the need to prepare our children to be digitally literate. We are not simply referring to an ability to be proficient in Information Technology (IT). Digital Literacy is separate from computer literacy. It requires critical thinking skills, an awareness of the necessary standards of behaviour expected in online environments, and an understanding of the shared social issues created by digital technologies. Or alternatively: digital literacy = digital tool knowledge + critical thinking + social engagement. The SCSS already provides one of the most diverse curriculums in the country. We now seek to provide our children with the opportunities to become exceptional employable global citizens who will be able to thrive in a digital society and to be best placed to compete with children all over the world.
We have decided to adopt a great outreach programme that will result in the creation of a retrofitted room for a digital literacy experience for all students, particularly the marginalized and those limited by standard literacy and numeracy curriculum. The aim is that this classroom will present users with a dynamic learning experience where all walls can be utilized in an engaging manner; revolutionizing learning in a modern and relevant way. The school has identified a room to be used to develop and embed a digital literacy curriculum. The current building structure is traditional. There are only two outlets, and ventilation is provided by louver blades. The traditional desks and benches are used for instruction. There is a white board in the room and the current projectors have to be carried in and dismounted after use. The intent is that the room is secure enough to have the convenience of preset equipment which will ensure that preparation time is reduced to pedagogical considerations and instructional time is maximized.
The room must be retrofitted to include but not limited to: metal doors burglar bars printer/photocopier 3D Printer Binding machines Laminating machine, air conditioned units, tinted windows, desks, tables, chairs, and furniture to hold 50 pupils, alarm systems, including surveillance cameras, soundproof equipment painting, decorating, lighting and flooring : Technical subject specifics items need- at least 15 units of:
Creality Ender 3 Pro 1.75mm 3D printer filament: HATCHBOX PLA 3D Printer Filament, White, 1 kg: HATCHBOX PLA 3D Printer Filament, Black, 1 kg: HATCHBOX PLA 3D Printer Filament, Blue, 1 kg: HATCHBOX PLA 3D Printer Filament, Orange, 1 kg: 10 - 15 units of: BBC Micro:Bit Starter Kit: Raspberry Pi Raspberry Pi Pico Discovery Kit (Pico Included): Raspberry Pi 4 Model B: or Raspberry Pi 4 2GB Essential Starter Kit with Universal Power Supply: Adafruit Circuit Playground Circuit Playground Express Advanced Pack: Arduino Uno Arduino Starter Kit Multi-Language Arduino Student Kits, Technical subject specifics books needed- At least 15 units of each:
Programming the BBC micro:bit: Getting Started with MicroPython, 1st Edition: Get Started with MicroPython on Raspberry Pi Pico Programming Arduino, Second Edition Bots! Robotics Engineering with Hands-On Makerspace Activities: The 3D Printing Handbook: Technologies, design, and applications: Fusion 360 for Makers: Design Your Own Digital Models for 3D Printing and CNC Fabrication 3D Printing For Dummies
The SCSS, as of September 2020, has an enrollment of 517 students. The School’s performance has gradually increased over the years due to successful planning commencing from a few years prior. The students who sat the 2019 exams performed an all-time record. The CSEC performance of the school has recorded high pass rates, for some a consistent 100%, for as long as 10 years. The top performing IT student in the 2021 CSEC exams is not only from Saint Lucia but a student of the SCSS. There are eight Education Districts in Saint Lucia. SCSS is the only Secondary School in District Eight. There are seven feeder primary schools in the district. The entrance grades into the institution range from an average of 15% to 90%. This means that the institution is responsible for grooming future adults with varying abilities and from varying social-economic backgrounds. Students’ range of abilities and interests have caused much contention and concern. SCSS however, has remained optimistic in its outlook and focuses on tapping into the individual intelligence, interests, and abilities of the individual child – a difficult feat given the challenges of limited resources, parental involvement, and perceptions of education and success. The school remains steadfast in its mission and its overall goal of meeting the individual needs of students.
Consequently, the school creates specialized programmes for underachievers, as well as an Accelerated Learning Programme for higher achievers. In addition to the Technical Vocational subjects which have existed, various administrations have engaged in the introduction of new subject areas. The school has introduced, over the years, technical programmes such as Carpentry, Auto-Mechanics, Masonry, Plumbing, Cake and Pastry, Garment Construction, Fabric Design and Robotics. The newly added Robotics area was propelled by the Ministry of Education’s (MOE’s) initiative in which SCSS performed remarkably well. Agricultural Science has been the consistently performing subject at the institution and the evidence is in a fully functional farm which gives the students the experience in both livestock and crop production. Sporting prowess is an accolade that SCSS is indeed proud of. Dubbed the School of Netball, SCSS has represented St. Lucia on the regional level in school championships.
Artistic and Culinary excellence have provided the school with National and Regional acclaim. The Industrial Technology and Technical Drawing areas have produced many functional projects[1]the most recent being the construction of a new Security Booth. This hands-on engagement is married with the subjects that are described as academia- the Languages, Sciences and Business, Information Technology which have produced students topping the island in CSEC performance in various years. We must continue on the path of creating students who are equipped to function effectively, not only locally but regionally and globally
Join SCSS in the creation of a modern, state of the art classroom which will result in unlocking the true potential of all who will access these valuable resources.
If COVID has taught us nothing, it has certainly demonstrated the need to prepare our children to be digitally literate. We are not simply referring to an ability to be proficient in Information Technology (IT). Digital Literacy is separate from computer literacy. It requires critical thinking skills, an awareness of the necessary standards of behaviour expected in online environments, and an understanding of the shared social issues created by digital technologies. Or alternatively: digital literacy = digital tool knowledge + critical thinking + social engagement. The SCSS already provides one of the most diverse curriculums in the country. We now seek to provide our children with the opportunities to become exceptional employable global citizens who will be able to thrive in a digital society and to be best placed to compete with children all over the world.
We have decided to adopt a great outreach programme that will result in the creation of a retrofitted room for a digital literacy experience for all students, particularly the marginalized and those limited by standard literacy and numeracy curriculum. The aim is that this classroom will present users with a dynamic learning experience where all walls can be utilized in an engaging manner; revolutionizing learning in a modern and relevant way. The school has identified a room to be used to develop and embed a digital literacy curriculum. The current building structure is traditional. There are only two outlets, and ventilation is provided by louver blades. The traditional desks and benches are used for instruction. There is a white board in the room and the current projectors have to be carried in and dismounted after use. The intent is that the room is secure enough to have the convenience of preset equipment which will ensure that preparation time is reduced to pedagogical considerations and instructional time is maximized.
The room must be retrofitted to include but not limited to: metal doors burglar bars printer/photocopier 3D Printer Binding machines Laminating machine, air conditioned units, tinted windows, desks, tables, chairs, and furniture to hold 50 pupils, alarm systems, including surveillance cameras, soundproof equipment painting, decorating, lighting and flooring : Technical subject specifics items need- at least 15 units of:
Creality Ender 3 Pro 1.75mm 3D printer filament: HATCHBOX PLA 3D Printer Filament, White, 1 kg: HATCHBOX PLA 3D Printer Filament, Black, 1 kg: HATCHBOX PLA 3D Printer Filament, Blue, 1 kg: HATCHBOX PLA 3D Printer Filament, Orange, 1 kg: 10 - 15 units of: BBC Micro:Bit Starter Kit: Raspberry Pi Raspberry Pi Pico Discovery Kit (Pico Included): Raspberry Pi 4 Model B: or Raspberry Pi 4 2GB Essential Starter Kit with Universal Power Supply: Adafruit Circuit Playground Circuit Playground Express Advanced Pack: Arduino Uno Arduino Starter Kit Multi-Language Arduino Student Kits, Technical subject specifics books needed- At least 15 units of each:
Programming the BBC micro:bit: Getting Started with MicroPython, 1st Edition: Get Started with MicroPython on Raspberry Pi Pico Programming Arduino, Second Edition Bots! Robotics Engineering with Hands-On Makerspace Activities: The 3D Printing Handbook: Technologies, design, and applications: Fusion 360 for Makers: Design Your Own Digital Models for 3D Printing and CNC Fabrication 3D Printing For Dummies
The SCSS, as of September 2020, has an enrollment of 517 students. The School’s performance has gradually increased over the years due to successful planning commencing from a few years prior. The students who sat the 2019 exams performed an all-time record. The CSEC performance of the school has recorded high pass rates, for some a consistent 100%, for as long as 10 years. The top performing IT student in the 2021 CSEC exams is not only from Saint Lucia but a student of the SCSS. There are eight Education Districts in Saint Lucia. SCSS is the only Secondary School in District Eight. There are seven feeder primary schools in the district. The entrance grades into the institution range from an average of 15% to 90%. This means that the institution is responsible for grooming future adults with varying abilities and from varying social-economic backgrounds. Students’ range of abilities and interests have caused much contention and concern. SCSS however, has remained optimistic in its outlook and focuses on tapping into the individual intelligence, interests, and abilities of the individual child – a difficult feat given the challenges of limited resources, parental involvement, and perceptions of education and success. The school remains steadfast in its mission and its overall goal of meeting the individual needs of students.
Consequently, the school creates specialized programmes for underachievers, as well as an Accelerated Learning Programme for higher achievers. In addition to the Technical Vocational subjects which have existed, various administrations have engaged in the introduction of new subject areas. The school has introduced, over the years, technical programmes such as Carpentry, Auto-Mechanics, Masonry, Plumbing, Cake and Pastry, Garment Construction, Fabric Design and Robotics. The newly added Robotics area was propelled by the Ministry of Education’s (MOE’s) initiative in which SCSS performed remarkably well. Agricultural Science has been the consistently performing subject at the institution and the evidence is in a fully functional farm which gives the students the experience in both livestock and crop production. Sporting prowess is an accolade that SCSS is indeed proud of. Dubbed the School of Netball, SCSS has represented St. Lucia on the regional level in school championships.
Artistic and Culinary excellence have provided the school with National and Regional acclaim. The Industrial Technology and Technical Drawing areas have produced many functional projects[1]the most recent being the construction of a new Security Booth. This hands-on engagement is married with the subjects that are described as academia- the Languages, Sciences and Business, Information Technology which have produced students topping the island in CSEC performance in various years. We must continue on the path of creating students who are equipped to function effectively, not only locally but regionally and globally
Join SCSS in the creation of a modern, state of the art classroom which will result in unlocking the true potential of all who will access these valuable resources.
Organizer
Carnita Cenac
Organizer
England