138 responses to “Are We Witnessing the Demise of Combermere Secondary School?”
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@Bajan in NY
What is it you do not agree based on the Nation?
https://www.facebook.com/jeremy.stephen3/videos/10157708439515361/
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The prime minister lives in a world of myth-making. Airline pilots have the safest records in the world. For two simple reasons: first, every incident is reported; and second, airline staff do not suffer any career repercussions for reporting faults.
The principal reason for reporting incidents is to improve safety, not preserve jobs. See Matthew Syed’s book on airline safety, compared with doctors and medical negligence. -
@David November 20, 2016 at 9:05 AM #
Thanks for posting the video recording of the meeting. I will watch and listen to it tonight when I return to the place I am staying.
The report in the Nation gave the impression it was a contentious meeting at which not much was achieved and a committee of 6 was elected. -
@bajan in NY
Wouldn’t you have expected the meeting to be contentious given all that has transpired so far?
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David
Did you post a video recording of the Town Hall meting? Where can it be accessed?
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@Ping Pong
Yes, in the comment above to Bajan in NY.
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I was using Firefox and the video does not appear. I switched to Chrome and now I can see it! Curious.
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@Ping Pong
It is probably one of your Firefox extension e.g. ADD Block.
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@David, on the light side: that is a large crowd of cawmerians at Kolig, yes! Na cricket lashes or nutting so. Who wudda think dem would invade Kolig like that. LOLL
On the serious side. The Public Works engineer from SSA who spoke before and after about 30 mins was absolutely outstanding.
The idea of keeping the students together in areas of the campus not affected by the environmental issues, bringing in porto-toilets and other practical solutions seems quite reasonable.
She also took Morris to task quite effectively.
News from my withering grapevine also suggests that overall problems at Waterford: staff vrs administration; old scholars vrs scholars; old scholars vrs administration is as significant as the scientific and physical problems at the site. And those problems predated the enviro issues.
As noted before Combermere’s site cannot be unique among old school buildings like the same Crumpton St site at which the meeting was held so if this is a ‘real’ issue then Min management needs to be far-reaching in their outlook.
In short as you have said repeatedly, this really has nothing to do with being Combermerian per se.
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My information is that the meeting was a joint meeting between the PTA and the alumni. My information is that the situation is under investigation, and this has not yet been completed. Many persons; from various agencies are involved in the investigation. When these are completed reports will be issued, recommendations made, and action will be taken. We Cawmerians, do not “thrower people under the bus” on the basis of mere speculation, accusations, and heresy, without the person having a chance to refute the accusations and allegations, and proof beyond a reasonable doubt, before sentencing. Unfortunately David Thompson died before he had a chance to do any of these. When he was alive he was an outstanding,student, politician and lawyer. We will accept that verdict. The rest is all speculation.
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Old Buggy,
You will never understand! When I correct you it is not pretence or anything like that. Having gone to Cawmere, and having been tutored by people like “Muffs” Holder, the need to be correct comes like second nature. Speaking correctly is ingrained in us. We do not try to be wordsmiths, to show off. It is natural. Thus it is obvious you did not go to Cawmere. We are proud of our teaching and teachers. Doing the correct thing, and being correct, is necessary in the world outside of your narrow circle. If you work in other countries, in whatever field of endeavour, you have to be correct in whatever you do. Sloppiness will not be tolerated. If you think otherwise you better think again. If you want to study, in whatever field, you will learn you have to be correct to get top marks.Teach youngsters to strive to be the best; not second or third best and expect to get through because you learn early that the best reach further than the others. Don’t settle for being mediocre by saying that those others want to be “wordsmiths”. Why can’t you be a wordsmith also? -
More information on Combermere’s fiasco becomes public daily and leads to the conclusion the school might be better off closed permanently. The student body and teachers integrated into other schools.
In today’s news an unsurprising quote from Headmaster Parris is his believe sabotage is behind the latest environmental issue. The public has long thought this to be the case. When one sees the teaching staff at Comberemere with the likes of the notorious Rev Charles Morris nothing can be ruled out.
Many have questioned how in God’s name could Morris be a man of of the cloth given his outrageous utterances and actions over the years. There are disciples of the extremist anti government BSTU in Combermere’s staff room. One of them a clone of Mary Redman is rumored to be uncompromisingly anti Parris long wishing for his departure.
Combermere is in a bad place if according to the principal saboteurs roam its space. The Ministry of Education cannot be blamed if the institution formerly at Weymouth and the barracks of the Barbados Regiment meets its Waterloo at Waterford.
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This is a great opportunity to up the game and turn Combermere in to an official centre of excellence. It must review the quality of teachers, the role of the trde union led by that Redman woman (is she a fifth columnist?), the curriculum, improving the library and the sports programme.
I have some books, about 25000 volumes mostly non-fiction, that I will offer the school on condition that they be used solely as a reference library and shipment be paid for.
The alternative is that I will have to offer them to an English charity, which is my second choice.
I was hoping to add them to the 30000 volumes I received some time ago from the BBC and sent to Barbados, but unfortunately that is not to be due to a fire. -
@Hal
Why are you always so uncharitable towards Redman? Are you aware that she attended Combermere?
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uncharitable. Just that she is misguided. Going to Combermere is not the prize. It is wht you have made of the opportunity.
Two things about the old Combermere: in my time it was all boys; and new pupils used to get an initiation slap around the head.
But seriously, Redman must think ‘outside the box’, she is too confrontational and aggressive. It comes over loud and clear. -
@ David
As Bushie has been saying, if you put the Devil in charge of heaven, you will get Hell.Good leadership is NEVER about crushing your ‘opponents’ …especially when those ‘opponents’ are a part of your body. From all the things that are not being said, it is clear that this is a problem of internal divisiveness ….. in short, a breakdown of leadership.
Add this to the well established idiocy that is the Ministry of Education, and the fact that staff from the dysfunctional Alexandra chaos were transferred to Combermere, this was only inevitable…
One wonders why Bajans continue to think that good results can come about even though we put idiots and incompetents in charge….because of political expediency or nepotism…
Combermere’s problem is IDENTICAL to Barbados’s problem…..
Sewerage, sickness, labour issues, cleanliness, productivity, water shortages and lack of money are just SYMPTOMS…..The real problem is that incompetents sit at the head…..
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@Hall
You are aware that Mary-anne Redman is acting on instructions/directives from her executive?
@Bush Tea
Correct!
Parris vs some staff Old scholars vs PTA MOE vs ALL BSTU VS …. Charles Morris VS ;;;
Now we read Parris who apparently was sick and couldn’t attend the meeting on Saturday being quoted in the press about sabotage. Why does he not shut the hell up?
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THE UWI SEISMIC RESEARCH CENTRE in Trinidad and Tobago recorded a tremor off the southwest coast of Barbados early this morning.
http://www.nationnews.com/nationnews/news/90563/tremor-barbados#sthash.doXfqwEo.dpuf
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David,
Union leaders are not puppets. -
Robinson of Ajax Construction has made it clear on Brasstacks that he had the last contract to clean the wells…..the last time the wells were cleaned was 5 years ago……he is aware that the sewerage pipes break/burst from time to time allowing the gas from the wells to escape thereby affecting those in close proximity to the leak,which is why villagers and certain areas of the school are not so exposed.
He went on to say that all those that needed to know were informed,way back when.
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@Hal
This is true but the buck stops with the executive.
Mary-ann Redman we have to admit has the cajones to intimidate anyone including men, hope you are not in that basket?
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Nobody has to tell me that Parris is not playing politics.A few months ago this very silly man called in the CBC cameras to show to the DLP hierarchy that he was playing his role as a member of the Fatted Calf Brigade by boasting that he was overseeing some of his students volunteer to paint class rooms at Waterford.I said to myself what a stupid bloke.Is this what the venerable institution has come to?As far as I am concerned Parris nor any other headteacher/ principal would dare tell either of my two kids who attended there,that they are required to volunteer to paint a classroom.That’s downright rude and dangerous.In all my days at Weymouth the school was maintained by the Public Works crews.Suppose one of those children fell off a ladder!Parris and the MoE seem to be a large part of the problem at Waterford.We cannot have 1100 children robbed of an education because of incompetents both at Waterford and on Constitution Hill.
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Life and time will not delay
Time is running fast away
Life is now,today,today,
Up and On,Up and On.
……… -
David, Hants et al:
This young lady is a product of Cawmere. What demise what?Barbados Star Rihanna Beats Out Beyonce At AMAs
by lisaparavisini
Screen Shot 2016-11-22 at 6.59.32 PM.pngBajan star Rihanna won three awards last night from the 44th annual American Music Awards (AMA) which was held last night at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.
Rihanna beat out Beyonce and Janet Jackson to win Favorite Female Artist – Soul/R&B. The singer turned actress also won over Beyonce’s “Lemonade” album to win Favorite Album – Soul/R&B as well for ‘Anti.’
Her collaboration with Drake on “Work” also won Favorite Song – Soul/R&B.
The singer was absent from the awards.
All Barbados should be proud of her, and the society that produced her. She is ours. Big her up!!
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Related to this broad discussion on education is the ‘under the desk’ action taking place in US education. Pres elect Trump has announced the appointment of a Sec. of Education who believes firmly that the public education model should be revamped with vouchers issued to children to attend ‘better managed’ for-profit publicly supported so called charter schools in US.
This is not a new debate but it is certainly now a major event with her appointment as she will lead the fervent charge across the country; strongly in the face of teacher unions.
In Barbados it’s also a big deal with many seeking to restart private schools to cater to boys only. Very much a Trumpian ethos to make Bdos education great again, supporters would attest.
There is no argument with any thrust to improve elementary/high school education but in many systems the move to a voucher based system is just another way to shift monies from public to private coffers at the expense of the consumer.
It was reported that a number of charter school educational entrepreneurs earned in excess of US$300,000/annum.
Noting wrong with merit pay based on results but spinning out a new charter school franchise is certainly not the same as compensating a CEO for his success in opening another Burger King restaurant and ramping up the profits.
Some interesting times ahead no doubt.
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Sabotage Alright was belived to have been cause for the closing of the school newspaper reports states that a deliberate attempt was found to sabotage the school .
the report goes on to say that a sewer cover for a septic well was left half opened which caused septic gases to leaked and into the school. -
And it has taken over one week to close the tank and restart classes?
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The public saw Rev Charles Morris claim to second longest serving member of staff at Combermere . He claimed he spoke on behalf of the teachers. Morris charged MOE and parents display scant respect for teachers. He said teachers cared about the children and wouldn’t engage in sabotage.
Headmaster Vere Parris insists the environmental issues were caused by sabotage. We believe the headmaster. Morris is a repeat offender in foolishness. Parris is a caring principal working diligently for the best for his alma mater.
One last effort at proper functioning must be afforded the school by MOE. One more cry of wolf by Morris and Mary Redman’s minions should lead to final closure and decommissioning of Combermere. Taxpayers cannot tolerate a Waterford version of Alexandra a school which has settled nicely getting on with the business of education minus Mary Redman’s surrogates.
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No David. What is taking longer is going through more evidence to find the source or sources who are behind the sabotage to avoid another repeat of the clandestine actions of saboteurs
This evedience is damming and should close the mouth of the likes of Morris who has been carrying a huge axe across his shoulders against govt
In all due respect to the children and teachers of Combermere Morris and Redman should be working hand in hand with the enviromental official and govt in helping to find the bastards behind this dastardly act
No sense in putting the children and staff in enemy camp when the order of the day should focus on those wolves in sheep clothing -
I would hope that this brilliant head of Combermere School has made a report to the Police.Saying “I believe” such and such took place is unacceptable.
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It I a reminder of that time when the MoF Sinckler revealed that his life was threatened.
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When saboteurs enter our school system we definetly have a problem akin to terrorist activity . This type of scum should be flushed out and dealt with the harshest way.
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its amazing how these politicians switch things around to save themselves from blame. The guy said ,it would be a shame to think some schools are better than other schools. I am sure a child going to combermere or harrison college, will be deemed more smarter and better than a child going to st george or parkinson secondary school. Notice they call the lower secondary schools, secondary. The way how the teachers react and work with the school kids speak volume. You dont see kids in the older secondary schools, walking around idling while classes is going on. At st george or other lower secondary schools, the teachers could care less, so that answer your statement.
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the government or education officer should get another building to put the school kids from combermere in, isnt there some building that can be housed for the students? Until the problem at combermere be investigated and settled?
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Past student here. I went in the mid 90’s to early 2000’s. 1) There was always a faint smell coming from the septic wells/tank, situated by the almond trees by principals office, especially when the rain falls. Officials should start looking there. If the situation has worsened due to the wells being sabotaged as suggested by the principal, this should be dealt with. 2) Teacher’s nor students were falling ill back then in great numbers. 3) I like the Reverant Morris, his classes can be very exciting but everyone knows he is a strong strong strong BLP guy. Even went so far as to say Errol Barrow is no father of independence as Britain was giving out independence to get rid of the burden of her former colonies. And I could go on and on with his anti-DLP rhetoric. 4) From the day the current principal came there, the ‘old guard’ teachers for some reason took a dislike to him for some reason, and have been giving the principal a hard time from since he came. I guess its another Jeff Broomes-like saga brewing up there 5) I suspect politics is playing out in this saga and this is reminding me of the Undine Whittiker and Mia fight regarding rats at Springer school.
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Whatever the reason the underlying factor and present causes of the odor has been found and a serious observation made that should be fully and thoroughly investigated.
At this point it doesnt matter if the school should be relocated what really matters is the serious nature of such a criminality and who and what is behind the actions
Moving or relocatio is not a sufficient solution since it means taking the instigators to the newer location -
I posit that there are three schools in Barbados from which the riot act would be read to the Ministry of Education in short order by the PTA,by the parents themselves,by the current student body and by the Old Scholars Asociation.Combermere is far and above,no 1 in this trio.
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The head master outlined a detailed series of malicious attacks which would compromise the integrity of the school as well as the ministry of education. The unlawful and deliberate attacks can well be seen as actions having intentions to hurt harm and dismantle the core of the educational institution having ramifications that send fear and despair among parents and the children attending the school so far as evidence has shown
The govt can no longer sit idly by and let political desperados defeat and destroy in order to win
The blogmaster invites you to join the discussion.