The WAHS PTA is appalled at recent statements in the media concerning the proposed shift system. The Management Teams of the WAHS and the BHS met with Ministry Officials on Wednesday 12th November, 2014. The Ministry’s DECISION was presented to both teams after having reviewed position papers submitted by each school prior to the meeting. We all engaged in an extremely cordial and respectable discussion. It must be made known that the Principal of the BHS categorically stated that she was in agreement with the terms of reference advanced by the Ministry except for the proposed time. In her words, everything was workable. The team was satisfied that school buses would be made available for students from both Basseterre and the rural areas and space at AVEC would be used to facilitate an earlier end to the school day. We left the meeting on cordial terms with the assurance that the time frame would be reviewed. In consideration of the concerns raised by the BHS, the WAHS Management Team acquiesced to a starting time of 1.45 p.m. This was communicated to the Principal within 15/20 minutes of the end of the initial meeting. It is disconcerting that after having agreed to the terms of reference, an entirely different position has been presented to BHS parents and the media. We STRONGLY DETEST and OBJECT to the manner in which the WAHS is being portrayed in the media and call on ALL parties involved to adopt a more responsible approach in the interest of ALL our children.
******The BHS Management Team has accepted the revised terms for the proposed shift system in a meeting convened at 2:30pm this afternoon (November 13th). Principal Carlene Henry-Morton, Deputy Principal Edmeade, Mrs. Pencheon and Mr. Blackett were all in attendance. Mr. Ron Collins, who attended the initial meeting yesterday was visibly absent. The revised terms for the shift system as agreed by all present are as follows:
1. Start Date: Monday 17th, November 2014
2. Times: WAHS- 8:00am-1:15pm
BHS- 1:30pm-5:45pm
3. Each school will be given eight (8) 30 minute sessions for instruction.
The revised terms of agreement governs the shift system up to December 5th, 2014.