These are busy days here at St. Peter Claver High School.
We had 330 students test for 210 spaces and accepted 110 boys and 93 girls. As you can see, that brings us only to 203 students. There are some students on a "second selection" list, and we're having a second test on 22 October. This means that I'm spending time composing a second examination. It also means that I'm spending a lot of time talking to folks whose children weren't chosen ("hakuchaguliwa" is what the sorry news they receive -- "he/she was not chosen"). This is a tough part of the job, for there are stories that tug on the heart.
Preparing for next year's class means hiring teachers, and I've begun reviewing CVs to begin interviews in the next week.
As well, I'm busy reviewing our contract and our compensation package. We want to retain good teachers and have discovered our remuneration and benefits are not as competitive as we thought, so we're trying to address that -- and keep our school fees affordable.
Of course we also face the ongoing challenge of trying to keep at the construction in the face of an outfit that seems to have lost interest, really.
I'm working under a deadline because I head back to the States 8-27 November.
In other news, last evening workers tried to kill a HUGE cobra -- and only managed to wound it. Not only that, we've been seeing and hearing hyenas. So now we have poisonous snakes, genets, mongooses, hyenas, vervets, and baboons -- a veritable wild game park!
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Lost Parents
Some of the parents whose children sat for exams on Monday are finding their way to this personal blog instead of using the url address that was given on the directions every student received upon arrival on Monday.
If you wish to know the results for your child, you can find them at the proper website here.
If you wish to know the results for your child, you can find them at the proper website here.
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
Quod Scripsi Scripsi
On Monday we had 333 candidates sit for our entrance examination -- 210 seats available. We accepted 203 students. We didn't make our target -- in fact we know that not all of the 203 accepted will register. We have put some students on a waiting list and will accept them as space is available on 14 October. We will also have another testing date on 22 October.
My concern most especially is the number of girls -- both testing and passing. We'll try doubly hard to get them to sit for the next exam. This is not only a matter of making sure that they get every opportunity but also a practical problem for us -- the school will reach a point when the boys' dorm is full and the girls' half empty.
So today, I will clean my office and try to avoid parents of candidates who were rejected. This all brings back memories of St. Ignatius High School in Cleveland. Jane McManamon (may she rest in peace) and Sandra Reid were excellent in protecting Rich Clark, the principal, and me, the assistant principal for academics, at the time of the publication of admissions decisions.
Regarding the publication of results, I take Pilate's words as my own: Quod scripsi scripsi -- What I have written, I have written.
Incidentally, all the decisions were made blind -- according to candidate numbers alone. Once they were published I did look at some names. Disappointed that the children of some friends did not make it (and happy that the children of some power folks did!). I am accustomed to standing firm, and this would be no exception -- our "anti-courruption curriculum" is best taught with our own actions.
My concern most especially is the number of girls -- both testing and passing. We'll try doubly hard to get them to sit for the next exam. This is not only a matter of making sure that they get every opportunity but also a practical problem for us -- the school will reach a point when the boys' dorm is full and the girls' half empty.
So today, I will clean my office and try to avoid parents of candidates who were rejected. This all brings back memories of St. Ignatius High School in Cleveland. Jane McManamon (may she rest in peace) and Sandra Reid were excellent in protecting Rich Clark, the principal, and me, the assistant principal for academics, at the time of the publication of admissions decisions.
Regarding the publication of results, I take Pilate's words as my own: Quod scripsi scripsi -- What I have written, I have written.
Incidentally, all the decisions were made blind -- according to candidate numbers alone. Once they were published I did look at some names. Disappointed that the children of some friends did not make it (and happy that the children of some power folks did!). I am accustomed to standing firm, and this would be no exception -- our "anti-courruption curriculum" is best taught with our own actions.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
It'd Be Funny...
...if it weren't so sad.
Have you seen sneakers that have velcro instead of laces? I have. I like velcro -- even some of my REI safari shirts have velcro on the pockets. It was a great invention.
It isn't so great for hanging school signs, though. Today I arrived at our classroom building to discover the "C" in "School" missing -- we became "St. Peter Claver High S hool." When I went to investigate, I discovered that our contractor had used velcro to affix the signs to our classroom building. Incredible. As my friend Martin Waweru, sj, would say if he witnessed this "These people!"
We're really struggling now to keep our contractors serious about their work. They seem to be losing interest -- and seem to be losing some pride and professionalism, too. So pray for them that they get a second wind in order to finish a quality classroom building originally scheduled to be completed in January 2010. The magis -- not just for Jesuits, their colleagues and their students!
Have you seen sneakers that have velcro instead of laces? I have. I like velcro -- even some of my REI safari shirts have velcro on the pockets. It was a great invention.
It isn't so great for hanging school signs, though. Today I arrived at our classroom building to discover the "C" in "School" missing -- we became "St. Peter Claver High S hool." When I went to investigate, I discovered that our contractor had used velcro to affix the signs to our classroom building. Incredible. As my friend Martin Waweru, sj, would say if he witnessed this "These people!"
We're really struggling now to keep our contractors serious about their work. They seem to be losing interest -- and seem to be losing some pride and professionalism, too. So pray for them that they get a second wind in order to finish a quality classroom building originally scheduled to be completed in January 2010. The magis -- not just for Jesuits, their colleagues and their students!
Monday, September 12, 2011
In the Crosshairs of Providence, Indeed
Thirty years ago today I entered to Society of Jesus with 14 others. Eight of us remain. I am so thankful to God for calling me into the Company of his Son.
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Some Humour for a Monday
I am in the midst of proofreading mid-term examinations. Teachers hand in hand-written copies which my secretary types.
Well....one of the questions for the civics exams asks the students to define dual citizenship. However the civics teacher's handwriting isn't so great, and the woman who is acting as a temporary secretary in the absence of the full-time secretary does not know English well. That combination explains how you end up with a question which asks students to define anal citizenship!
Well....one of the questions for the civics exams asks the students to define dual citizenship. However the civics teacher's handwriting isn't so great, and the woman who is acting as a temporary secretary in the absence of the full-time secretary does not know English well. That combination explains how you end up with a question which asks students to define anal citizenship!
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Health Workers Index
Save the Children has just published this report regarding health care. Tanzania ranks 135th out of 161 on the health worker index.
The index includes three indicators:
1. a measure of health worker density;
2. the percentage of children receiving three doses of the vaccine for diphtheria, whooping cough and tetanus; and
3. skilled birth attendance rate.
161 countries, those with accurate data available, are included in the index.
Countries with a population of less than 500,000 were not included.
Our hope here at Our Lady Queen of Peace Educational Centre is that our dispensary will soon serve Ihumwa, the local village, in addition to its service to our students. If you want to help change Tanzania's standing on the index (and more importantly change the welfare of an entire village!), please consider helping us open the dispensary to the community by clicking on the appropriate link in the "You Can Help" section to the right.
The index includes three indicators:
1. a measure of health worker density;
2. the percentage of children receiving three doses of the vaccine for diphtheria, whooping cough and tetanus; and
3. skilled birth attendance rate.
161 countries, those with accurate data available, are included in the index.
Countries with a population of less than 500,000 were not included.
Our hope here at Our Lady Queen of Peace Educational Centre is that our dispensary will soon serve Ihumwa, the local village, in addition to its service to our students. If you want to help change Tanzania's standing on the index (and more importantly change the welfare of an entire village!), please consider helping us open the dispensary to the community by clicking on the appropriate link in the "You Can Help" section to the right.
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