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n an attempt to equalize the level of international diversity exists at the institution, the Ashcroft School in Leeward, Providenciales has changed its name to the International School of the Turks and Caicos Islands.
The name-change unveiling was done on Wednesday (September 3) just before the start of the new school year and witnessed by the student population, the administration and teaching staff as well as a large contingent of parents and well-wishers, including Education Minister Hon. Akierra Missick, member of parliament for the area.
At the beginning of the new school year, the institution recorded 106 children from 19 different nations, including the Turks and Caicos Islands. It was also the first time in five years that the institution was seeing more than 100 students on its roster. The school educates children between the ages of two and 11, representing from preschool to grade six.
In addition to the name change, the school also underwent a great deal of upgrade, with Information Technology being one of them. As a result, the institution is now equipped with wireless technology, which currently sees all classrooms now furnished with iPads, embedded with dedicated learning software for each child.
Principal Katie Hinks announced also that a new musical garden has been installed to enhance the children’s creative learning abilities, pointing out also that all facilities and buildings have been renovated and painted for the new school year. She said, too, that two teachers dedicated to music and Physical Education also joined the staff.
Hinks said that over the summer break, a number of upgrades were made primarily from the support of Waterloo Investment Holdings Ltd (WIHL) and the school’s Parent Teachers Association (PTA).
“WIHL and our PTA have supported us tremendously to sow the seeds for a new vision for The International School of the Turks and Caicos Islands. We are proud that with all these improvements the school is in an excellent position to provide education at a standard that is competitive with leading primary schools all over the world,” she said.
Hinks said that the school’s vision is to challenge children of all abilities to achieve excellence in a wide range of academics, cultural and sporting activities and to equip them for the demand and opportunities of the 21st century. She said that would be done by offering a different but exciting and rigorous curriculum meant for all. She said also that values would also be a core part of the school’s administration, achieving them through integrity, honesty, sincerity, trustworthiness and reliability.
Minister Missick, for her part, told the gathering that not only was she happy to represent the Ministry of Education at the event, but was also pleased to be the MP for the constituency in which the school falls.
“You are now catering to a broader spectrum of persons from around the world. You are also embarking on a new school year, new challenges, and I know that you are going to prepared for them and step up to the plate ? to use a sporting analogy ? and knock out a homerun,” she said.
Stewart Howard, Managing Director of the British Caribbean Bank, and a Trustee of the school said that the International School of the Turks and Caicos Islands provides an essential building block to support the educational needs of the Turks and Caicos Islands, and particularly in the Leeward community.
In the meantime, Zaneta Adderley-Burton, President of the PTA noted that parents are extremely excited about the enhancements and the new school year.
“Daily school life and the quality of education have been raised to a new level. We look forward to continue our work with the school’s administration and the Board of Trustees,” she said.