Principal of Alleyne School Julia Beckles speaking to a parent about the school’s Sixth Form programme.
Students considering continued studies at one of the island’s 11 Six Form schools converged at The St. Michael School, yesterday.
The second National Sixth Form Fair, hosted by the Barbados Association of Principals of Public Secondary Schools (BAPPSS) gave third to fifth year students from both public and private secondary schools an opportunity to hear from representatives of the island’s six form schools about what each one offers, and how to choose the right subjects from early.
“In an increasingly competitive national and global environment, it is critical that students and parents make informed decisions regarding education and career paths,” President of BAPPSS, Juanita Wade expressed during the opening ceremony.
“The job opportunities that exist at present and that will manifest themselves in the future, are changing at a rapid pace; therefore, we believe it is incumbent on us as educators to keep abreast of the administrative, guidance and pedagogical best practices that will redound to the benefit of students across the island,” she added.
In addition to Business, Mathematics, Literature, Foreign Languages, Pure and Applied Sciences, and the Humanities students were also told that they can pursue subjects as diverse or new age as Law, Physical Education and Sport, Art, Entrepreneurship, Digital Media and Tourism at the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) level.
Wade, who is also the Principal of Harrison College therefore encouraged the students to take advantage of the event.
“This fair is important because sometimes our students don’t always know what they want to do… They really only know what is being offered at their school, so it is important for them to understand what else they can do; what else is being offered. Also, it is not just about the CAPE programme but what activities are being offered at the other schools as well,” she said.
In 2017, the 1st National Sixth Form Fair was hosted by the Parent Teachers’ Association of the Lester Vaughan Secondary School, under the leadership of Donna Sealy.
“Since then, BAPPSS has seen the benefit of exposing the nation’s children to the possibilities of the bright future that lies ahead of each of them. Therefore, this year, BAPPSS, utilising the expertise of Ms Sealy is pleased to host the second fair,” Wade said. (TL)
