School Grows On Dedication To Excellence And Inclusivity
(Teacher’s caring hands and disposition pull students to her.)
Many prep schools have a single-minded focus on coming out with the best academic grades as counted by the PEP exam results for example.
Ocho Rios Prep does well in that regard, too. However, the school is very positive about its social responsibility of catering for children with special needs or disabilities. That’s while, at the same time, having the attributes of preparatory schools – smaller class size, close attention, the atmosphere for learning social etiquette and discipline. The school has just ended a week of orientation and preparation for full activities to start the new Academic Year on Monday, September 11.
This report by the North Coast Times relies heavily on a story by Garwin Davis for JIS News.
(Principal Beverly Rose)
Principal at the Ocho Rios Preparatory School, St. Ann, Beverly Rose, has been steadfast in, championing the integration of special needs students into mainstream classrooms. Her approach has been integrating these students into the school’s operation and teaching, allowing the other students to also learn from those with special needs.
Her innovative approach has garnered widespread acclaim and serves as a shining example of a caring institution dedicated to providing quality education to every child.
Ocho Rios Prep is located at Scarne Avenue Buckfield, at premises that once housed Logan’s Prep.
(Parent, Shereene Cooper-Traile, with her son, Emelio Traile, in the library at the Ocho Rios Preparatory School in St. Ann, on September 4.)
Ms Rose who left Parry Town Primary to start Ocho Rios Preparatory School more than ten years ago says she feels it’s just a part of her duty to take children with disabilities that others might reject or leave behind.
Ms. Rose has transformed the school into a haven for inclusivity and the integration of special needs students.
She now has more than 200 children on roll from Kinder through to Grade 6.
Recognising the importance of fostering empathy, understanding, and collaboration among students, the Principal initiated a programme that enables young students with special needs to interact and learn alongside their regular peers.
This approach is not only dismantling barriers and stigmas associated with special needs education but is also having a profound impact on the academic and social development of all students involved.
(Teacher, June Walker, shares a back-to-school moment with students at the Ocho Rios Preparatory School in St. Ann, on September 4.)
“By creating an environment where differences are celebrated, Ocho Rios Prep has become an institution that prioritises the needs and well-being of every child,” Ms. Rose told JIS News.
“At this school, we believe in the mantra laid out by the Ministry of Education and Youth that ‘Every child can learn; every child must learn’. I believe that no child should be left behind. As a person who grew up with a sister who had Down Syndrome and an uncle who had physical disabilities, it became my passion to assist people with special needs. It has been challenging, but I choose not to give up,” she adds.
Ms. Rose says the work could not have been possible without the assistance of her teachers, other members of staff, and parents, who go beyond the call of duty to ensure that the school is run successfully.
She says an immediate project is to provide a ramp to make wheelchair access even better.
“I think it is important to make parents aware that their children are surrounded by love, compassion, and care in the place where they spend most of their waking hours,” Ms. Rose said.
(Principal Beverly Rose)
She says that the school has a pending partnership with a speech therapist who will make herself available on Saturdays to conduct training sessions with teachers and parents on how to assist students who are “non-verbal”.
“The integration of special needs students at Ocho Rios Prep has had a transformative impact on the lives of both the students with special needs and their regular peers. By fostering an inclusive environment, the school has been able to break down barriers and promote empathy, compassion, and acceptance,” Ms. Rose says.
“For students with special needs, the benefits of integration are immeasurable. They can learn alongside their regular peers, which enhances their communication skills, social interactions, and overall confidence. The support and understanding of their classmates also play a crucial role in their emotional well-being and sense of belonging,” she adds.
The Principal says that regular students at Ocho Rios Prep have also benefited greatly from the integration programme, adding that they develop a deeper understanding and appreciation for diversity, empathy, and the value of inclusivity.
Ms. Rose says at the heart of Ocho Rios Prep’s success is a team of dedicated teachers who share “our passion” for inclusive education. These educators, she says, undergo specialised training to equip them with the tools to succeed.
(By Garwin Davis, with additional reporting by North Coast Times)
Photos JIS/Garwin Davis
