Graydonian Sentinel Vol.# 7

TEACHER

THE GRAYDONIAN

SENTINEL Vol. #7

APPRECIATION

On Thursday, the Graydon Sealy Parent Teachers’ Association expressed their gratitude to the teachers who educate, motivate and inspire their children during the week.

The members of the P.T.A. had cupcakes delivered to the school. They offered a sweet treat to the people with whom their children interact on a daily basis.

This gesture was much appreciated by the teachers who were pleasantly surprised and truly appreciated the kind gesture.

It was indeed nice to see the smiling faces and the levity in the staffroom that morning.

Thank you for recognising the hard work of the teachers of Graydon Sealy Secondary School. Much thanks to the P.T.A. and Bryan’s Bakery for the sweet treats.

Mr. Jerome Stuart and the Graydon Sealy Prefects are certainly community minded.

Here they are painting the Language Room. Our Teachers and students certainly deserve a ‘thumbs up’.

Well Done Mr. Stuart and your crew of painters.

NOTICES

THURSDAY

BSL Athletics training session – 3:00p.m. at the Garrison Savannah.

MONDAY The Duke of Edinburgh Awards club meets today. Come, join and be inspired.

Reminder: All Submission of CXC May/June 2019 entries to HODs.

4th Year Form Level Meeting at 1:00 p.m. in the ‘Manny’ Bowen Auditorium.

School will close at 12:45p.m. for all other students.

FRIDAY Payment of fees for 2019-2020 CXC exams.

TUESDAY BSL Athletics training session – 3:00p.m. at the Garrison Savannah.

Deadline for the submission of CXC entries to Deputy Principal.

WEDNESDAY Mid-Term Grades and comments to be entered by subject teachers.

End of Week 7. Have a GREAT WEEKEND. Extension due to the late opening of OpenEmis.

Our Prefects were at it again.

They visited our elderly neighbours at the Geriatric

Hospital last week. They went bearing gifts and from all accounts they were well received and both the students and the residents had an enjoyable time. Well done Mr. Stuart and the Graydon Sealy Prefect body. Keep up the good work!

HAPPY

BIRTHDAY GREETINGS Happy birthday October borns.

Saran Alleyne 21st October October

Janelle Bartlett 21st October

Latoya Worrell 23rd October

Shontelle Burgess 25th October

The Effect of Good Teachers

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guidance toward ‘the next step’

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Research shows that

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diagnosis of weaknesses opportunities for novel experiences ‘hands on’ learning guided questioning conditions for curiosity a model of lifelong learning teamwork opportunities and support passion for learning high expectations programmes that deliver learning in a meaningful and intentional way.

effective teachers are the most important factor contributing to student achievement. Although curricula, reduced class size, district funding, family and community involvement all contribute to school improvement and student achievement, the most influential factor is the teacher.

We all know that teacher who left an indelible mark on our lives. The teacher who went the extra mile to guide us towards achieving our full potential, the

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Adapted from article taken from: https://www.tsc.nsw.edu.au/tscnews /the-powerful-impact-of-goodteachers-on-student-achievement

teacher who effectively changed our lives. Let us be that teacher for our students.

What effective teachers do A gifted child from a supportive home

Qualities of Effective Teachers We know intuitively that these

environment can only go so far.

highly effective teachers can have an

However, with the proper teacher

enriching effect on the daily lives of

support they can get the most out of their

children and their lifelong educational

education. Effective teachers provide:

and career aspirations. We now know

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stimulating environments scaffolding that is appropriate to student needs support for weaker students structure and stability consistency and correction feedback and goal setting encouragement and emotional support learning tools and resources advice for parents knowledge and skills

empirically that these effective teachers also have a direct influence in enhancing student learning. Years of research on teacher quality support the fact that effective teachers not only make students feel good about school and learning, but also that their work actually results in increased student achievement. Studies have

substantiated that a whole range of personal and professional qualities are associated with higher levels of student achievement. For example, we know that

Demonstrate effectiveness with the full range of student abilities in their classrooms, regardless of the academic diversity of the students.

verbal ability, content knowledge, pedagogical knowledge, certification status, ability to use a range of teaching strategies skillfully, and enthusiasm for the subject characterize more successful teachers.1 The following are some of the key qualities of effective teachers: 

Have formal teacher preparation training.

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Hold certification of some kind (standard, alternative, or provisional) and are certified within their fields.

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Have taught for at least three years.

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Are caring, fair, and respectful.

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Hold high expectations for themselves and their students.

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Dedicate extra time to instructional preparation and reflection.

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Maximize instructional time via effective classroom management and organization.

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Enhance instruction by varying instructional strategies, activities, and assignments.

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Present content to students in a meaningful way that fosters understanding.

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Monitor students' learning by utilizing pre- and post-assessments, providing timely and informative feedback, and reteaching material to students who did not achieve mastery.

This excerpt taken from: http://www.ascd.org/publications/bo oks/104136/chapters/The-Power-ofan-Effective-Teacher-and-Why-WeShould-Assess-It.aspx

TEACHERS’ PROFESSIONAL DAY

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT We spent the day reinforcing our knowledge as it relates to official protocol in the teaching service.

Mrs. Anne-Marie Burke Brewster reminded those present about the correct way business is to be conducted with our employer.

Mrs. Burke Brewster fielded questions from the Garydon Sealy staff as it pertained to pensions, retirement, the Qualifications Order and even when and how increments are applied.

Our next speaker, Ms. Juann Hall and Juanita Brathwaite emphasised the importance of the mental health of our students and by extension, our own mental health.

We left with a much clearer vision of some of the challenges that are faced by our students. To the right is a list of some of the agencies that offer assistance in times of extreme stress.

Protocol as it relates to the teaching service

It is also prudent to note that teachers (as government officers) have access to the services offered by Network Services.

Government officers are entitled to three (3) free sessions.

The importance of good Mental Health for our students and ourselves.

From the Desk of the Deputy Principal

I hope this message finds you all

Colleagues, let us continue to

in good health. I arrived at Graydon

show our students what it takes to be

Sealy Secondary School in September of

productive citizens of this world we call

2017. I found a staff of individuals who

home and instil in them the desire or

for the most part had the best interest of

better yet, the need, to strive for

the students at heart. You looked out for

excellence.

your students, tried to give them everything that you thought that they would need to help them navigate the perils of this society.

I know on a daily basis you are faced with challenges from those students who refuse to do homework, refuse to cooperate in class and generally make themselves a nuisance.

However, remember this, sometimes, you are the only constant in that child’s life. Your influence is that powerful.

Children by their very nature do not need another friend, rather, they need someone who will hold them accountable for their actions; chastise them when they are wrong and praise them when them do well.

Check them out on Instagram.

Ladies, just a bit of retail therapy.

Two local entrepreneurs providing quality ladies’ clothing.