Another contribution has been made to Chalky Hill Primary School to help in a programme aimed at improving attendance and performance, among needy students, especially boys.
Spearheading the programme is Genevor Gordon-Bailey, councillor caretaker of the Lime Hall division. She has been working alongside the school’s Guidance Department and guidance counsellor Patricia Pottinger-Bailey to develop and implement the programme mainly targeted at boys attending the school.
Mrs. Gordon-Bailey came to the assistance of the school after it was noted that there was poor performance among some boys, especially those who did not attend regularly, because of financial issues.
The programme is called ‘Genevor Save the Boys.’ It is in its third year of existence.
The ‘Genevor Save the Boys’ programme provides selected boys from all grades at the Chalky Hill Primary School with khaki, school bags, shoes and other necessary school supplies. If the need arises, they are also given personal aid.
Mrs. Gordon-Bailey who is assisted by member of parliament for North East St.Ann, Shahine Robinson, supplies the school with items from which some are withheld, in case the need for more supplies arise during the course of the school year.
In her interview with the North Coast Times Mrs. Gordon-Bailey says: “we must give back and encourage others by helping out.”
Since the launch of this programme three years ago, an increase in the schools average as well as in attendance have been seen.
Last year, another part to the programme was implemented to give all the listed Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT) books to one grade six boy and one girl. Last year’s recipients were Nicholas Smith and Kimone Berrick. Nicholas Smith is now attending Marcus Garvey Technical High School and Kimone Berrick is attending Steer Town Academy.
Although the recipients of the books were originally a girl and a boy, this year two girls were the recipients — Cinthia Dacosta and Sashaye Brown.
This area of the programme is assisted by the grade six teacher Violeta Pottinger and guidance counsellor Patricia Pottinger-Bailey, who make the assessment of needs and advise Mrs. Gordon-Bailey.
In addition to school supplies, Mrs. Gordon-Bailey has also provided breakfast for some students during the two days of the GSAT exams to ensure they had a nutritional start prior to their exams.
In commending Mrs. Gordon-Bailey for her efforts, board chairman of the school, Farrah Blake made a comparison between the overall academic performance of boys and girls in which she noted that the performance of the girls has superseded that of the boys. She stated that this was why it was important for a programme like the ‘Genevor Save the Boys’ to focus on the male students.
Guidance counsellor, Mrs. Pottinger-Bailey also lauded Mrs. Gordon-Bailey for the programme. She mentioned that some of the boys selected had behavioural challenges and the programme has aided boys, inspiring them to do well. In an attempt to curb these behavioural challenges, the Guidance Department allows the boys to give back to their community by donating tokens to the St. Ann’s Bay Infirmary.
Students in various other schools have also benefitted kindness from the kindness of Mrs Gordon-Bailey. One such way is through the Genevor Gordon-Bailey trophy presented to students for outstanding performance in English language.
