MGHS PSA Annual report – December 2013

2012-2013 MGHS PSA ANNUAL REPORT
Prepared by: Elizabeth Watson
President
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MERL GROVE HIGH SCHOOL PAST STUDENTS’ ASSOCIATION
Message from the President
Dear Fellow Alumni,
It is said that time waits for no one. Another year serving in the capacity of President of the
MGHS PSA Jamaica has ended. Join us on Saturday, January 25 to elect officers to sit on the
executive body. Despite various challenges last year, executive members worked tirelessly and
stood firm in their commitment to uphold entrenched values, ethics and morals and kept the fire
ablaze.
The Association continues to play an integral role in the growth and development of our sisters
of our beloved alma mater; cognizant of the school’s motto “Hardwork Overcomes All Difficulties’. We continue to place on record our appreciation for the support and encouragement from
past students locally and in the Diaspora; some going the extra mile despite the financial challenges to donate funds to our various projects thus enabling the Association to remain vibrant
and sustainable; accomplishing its mission and goals.
As retiring president, I take this opportunity to express gratitude to the Board of Management,
administrators, teachers, and staff of our Alma Mater for allowing the Association, the privilege
to serve our younger sisters and by large the wider school community. My personal appreciation,
to be afforded the privilege of serving on the Canteen Committee and the Planning Committee to
honour immediate past principal, Ms. Amy Allen. Although relinquishing duties as PSA President, I’ll continue to serve the Merl Grove Community in other capacities.
I pray God’s common favour, wisdom and strength for the incoming executive, past students
from the local and Diaspora chapters as you continue to strive amidst the ‘storms’ to fulfill the
Mission of the Association. Let’s forge ahead in building on the foundation laid, by past presidents, committee members, loyal and faithful past students who have stayed the course. My special appreciation to the Presidents of the NEAC, Canada and New York Chapters, as we collaborated as one body for the betterment of our younger sisters. It would be remiss of me at this time,
not to mention our Partner, LASCO Jamaica who has been contributing to our Breakfast Programme for the past two years. Our deep rooted gratitude to you!
May God continue to bless the Board of Management, administrators, teachers, staff and other
stakeholders for their continued contribution to the school’s development.
The Annual Report for the 2012-13 period is hereby submitted.
Elizabeth Watson (Dr.)
Retiring President, MGHS PSA Jamaica.
January 24, 2014
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Past students pose for the camera after a General Meeting
2012-2013 Executive team
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MERL GROVE HIGH SCHOOL PAST STUDENTS’ ASSOCIATION
REPORT FOR THE PERIOD
NOVEMBER 2012 TO DECEMBER 2013
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
Introduction
The Annual General Meeting for the academic year 2012/13 was held on November 24, 2012 in
keeping with the Association’s Constitution.
The 2012/13 Executive Members elected were as follow:
Dr. Elizabeth Watson – President, Ms. Tishawa Gallimore – 1st Vice President, Ms.
Shantell Creary – 2nd Vice President, Ms. Shelley-Ann Morgan – Public Relations Officer,
Mrs. Orlease Dennis-O’Connor – Treasurer, Ms. Shanice Smith—Asst. Treasurer, Ms.
Paula Gordon – Secretary, Ms. Anique McKie– Asst. Secretary, Ms. Hozaila Bailey and
Mrs. Norma Dixon, Auditor.
The executive was introduced to the school’s administrators on January 30 th.
A new executive 2013-2014 will be selected at the upcoming Annual General Meeting scheduled
to be held in the Karram Speid Auditorium this Saturday, November 23, 2013 at 4:00 p.m.
The Association is governed by its Constitution and upheld the Mission and Purpose as follows:
Mission
The Mission Statement states: “To provide support and guidance to the school to fulfill the
school’s Mission”.
Purpose
The PSA’s Objective is quite explicit: “To promote and protect the image of the Merl Grove
High School Community, maintain contact between past and present students, form strategic alliances with other groups dedicated to promoting the welfare of the school and assist present
students to complete a formal education”.
The operation of the Association for the year under review is as follows:
WELFARE PROGRAMME
The MGHS PSA’s Welfare Programme embraces both Breakfast and Mentorship programmes,
along with the provision of scholarships and bursaries.
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Breakfast Programme
Total contribution to the programme received from our partners was Ninety Eight Thousand
Dollars ($98,000.00). An additional amount of Seventy Five Thousand, Five Hundred and
Ninety Six Dollars and Forty Four Dollars ($75,596.44) was also contributed by past students in
Jamaica and the Diaspora. Students received complimentary breakfast during the year.
PSA members along with their breakfast assistants take a
break after serving breakfast.
Our Special Christmas breakfast treat along with grocery packages were given to students in
December.
Mentorship Programme
Five past students, including former Board Chairperson and PSA past and present presidents, have offered their services to be engaged in the National Mentorship Programme:
The Jamaica Resocialization/Respect Agenda Programme. Training is now complete and
the programme will be implemented upon execution of the Memorandum of Understanding between the school and the mentors, the project will commence with students at
the Grade 11 level.
Goal: ‘to promote good civil values, good attitudes and good civil behavior in students,
towards making Jamaica “the place of choice to live, work, raise families and do business’.
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Past students , left to right: June, Maureen, Jacinth and Liz with Margaret in front, attending
Mentorship Programme Workshop held June 2013, with co-ordinator Mr. Budhan.
Congratulations
The PSA recognizes the appointment of Mentor, Mrs. Jacinth HallTracey to the Board of Directors of LASCO Distributors Limited and
LASCO Manufacturing Limited.
We are confident that Jacinth will ‘bring to the table’ her management
skills and expertise to enhance the development and decision-making
process of these organizations.
Congrats!!!
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Contact Day
The Sixth Form Contact Day dubbed ‘What’s Next’ was held on Thursday, April
16. The event was co-ordinated by our Public Relations Officer, Shelly-Ann Morgan
who invited the guest speakers. The speakers included past students Ms. Alicia
Hussey, Mrs. Nichole Bartley (Fashion 911) and Ms. Andreen Bennett and her
team from Loreal. The event was well received. Make-over by Loreal Cosmetics
depicted the ‘corporate look’ for the working environment.
PSA executive member Shelly-Ann Morgan
addresses the gathering.
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Bursary Awards
The Association provided bursaries to thirteen (13) students; total of Sixty Thousand Dollars. This was utilized in defraying tuition and examination fees.
CANTEEN OPERATIONS
Members of the Board of Management, including the President were co-opted to examine the
canteen operations to determine its viability. The rest is history. The canteen now has a ‘new
face’ and the operations are successfully managed by the new Canteen Manager and her staff.
We are proud to report that financial gains are now being met.
MEMBERSHIP FORM
Designed and distributed.
CSEC/CAPE EXAMINATIONS
The Association extended its warmest congratulation to our younger sisters on their excellent
performance in both the CSEC and CAPE Examinations. Top CSEC student Elizabeth Brown
attained nine (9) subjects with distinctions; while top CAPE student, Deputy Head girl Naomi
Edwards topped CAPE Unit 1; and Sarah Douglas topped CAPE Unit 2.
SCHOOLS’ CHALLENGE QUIZ TEAM
Our ambassadors on the Quiz Team continue to fly the Merl Grove flag high. They wove themselves through the first and second round, but was knocked-out at Round 2. Members on the
team benefit from the Breakfast Programme and bursaries.
Special thanks to members here and overseas who through the Quiz Team fundraiser; donated
Thirty Three Thousand, Eight Hundred Dollars ($33,800.00) to the team.
Masters’ Round
MGHS old girls were beaten by Jamaica College old boys: 32:50 in the TVJ’s School
Challenge Quiz Masters Match. Our more matured sisters represented us well.
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FUNCTION FOR RETIRED PRINCIPAL
The MGHS family honoured retired Principal Ms. Amy Allen, for her sterling contribution to the
school’s development at a function held in the Karram Speid Auditorium on April 19. The Past
Students’ Association (local and Diaspora chapters) presented her with a plaque, a 29” flat
screen television and a gift basket. Dr. Monica Taylor, immediate past President of the Association, and current President Dr. Watson, made the presentation.
SPECIAL PROJECT
Grade 10-1 classroom was refurbished during last summer. A new-look greeted the students on
their return from the break; floors ceramic-tiled and walls painted. The desks and chairs should
be re-varnished and painted during the next holiday.
MGHS CLEAN-UP DAY
Madam Principal and Madam President were on campus during the above. Our football partners
were vigorous in their act to clear and bush the field.
BEHAVIOUR MODIFICATION CAMP
The objective of this camp was to improve the behavior of some fourteen (14) students who appeared before the Board’s Disciplinary Committee. President Watson delivered a motivational
talk to parents and students at the Parenting session and exit ceremony on Saturday, July 13 th.
ORIENTATION
As is customary, representative (s) of the Association welcomed our Grade 7 sisters to Merl
Grove on September 4. Parents and students listened attentively to ‘pep talk’ given by Mrs. Carol
Alexander, Vice Principal Joy Douglas-Smith and president Dr. Watson. A tour of the classrooms was conducted by Rev. Donovan Cole, Chairman of the Board of Management and
president Watson. Rev. Cole encouraged the students: ‘Merl Grove is a great school you are going to love it here’.
MGHS CHOIR
The MGHS choir sang their hearts out to secure a place in Round 2 of the TVJ’s All Together
Sing Competition. They were treated to light refreshments at the end of the first round. Lunch
tickets valuing $6,250.00 ($250.00 each) were given to the 25 members of the choir.
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PSA CONTRIBUTION
Hats off to the few committed individuals here and in the Diaspora who have responded to the
appeal for funds towards varying projects: breakfast programme, hockey sticks, retired principal’s function. Our special appreciation to those Diaspora members who have been consistent in
their giving back to their alma mater. Thank you on behalf of our younger sisters.
SPORTS DEVELOPMENT
Through a joint effort between the local and overseas chapters, the PSA donated a cheque in the
amount of $34,500.00 to purchase 20 hockey sticks; making it possible for Merl Grove to become entrants in the 2013 ISSA School Girls Hockey Competition.
LOSS OF A YOUNG SISTER
The Merl Grove family lost Lashanie Anderson, a grade 10 student, on November 8 th. Condolences on behalf of the MGHS PSA, conveyed to the school community.
MGHS NEWSLETTER
Issues of the MGHS Happenings were published for the months of September and November
2013.
WEBSITE
After tireless efforts and sleepless nights, the MGHS PSA Website is now ‘up and running’.
Visit our website at: www.mghspsaja.com
FACEBOOK
Please visit our Facebook Page ‘Merl Grove High School Past Students’ Association Jamaica
for highlights and activities of the past student family. We take the liberty to invite you also to
visit the Facebook Page for the New York Chapter at ‘Merl Grove High School Past Students’
Association NY Chapter for update on their achievements and contribution to the Association.
Permit me to use this medium on behalf of the local chapter to recognize the contributions made
also by the NEAC and Canadian Chapters to the development of our younger sisters.
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Founders’ Week Celebration
The Merl Grove High School Annual Founders’ Week Celebration commenced with
a church service at the Rehoboth Gospel Assembly on Sunday, November 24. Principal Mrs. Carol Alexander and Chairman Pastor Donovan Cole brought greetings
on behalf of the Merl Grove family. The first and second lessons were read by
President Watson and 2013 Miriam Speid Awardee, Jamila Beckford (headgirl).
Our appreciation to Rehoboth’s Pastor Anthony White for hosting the 2013 church
service.
Miriam Speid Award
Five nominees faced the interviewing panel comprising members: Orlease,
Tishawa and Margaret who conducted the selection process for the coveted and
prestigious award. Jamila Beckford was selected the 2013 Miriam Speid Awardee.
Jamila received the trophy with a cash bursary at the Prize-giving Ceremony.
Congratulations to the other nominees.
Left to right: Orlease, Margaret and Tishawa
Joyce Taylor Award
A first this year. The PSA is proud to establish the Joyce Taylor Award for Sports.
The recipient of this award, Dejonae Dixon was presented with the trophy and a
cash bursary at the school’s Prize-giving ceremony.
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HIGHLIGHTS OF FOUNDERS’ WEEK SERVICE AT REHOBOTH GOSPEL ASSEMBLY—NOV.
Principal Alexander and Pqstor White
Miriam Speid Recipient Jamila
Teachers and past students
Chairman—Donovan Cole
School choir performs at church service
MGHS Sign Language group
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Highlights of 2013 MGHS Annual Prize-Giving
Miriam Speid Awardee Jamila with past and
present presidents Dr. Robertson and Dr. Watson
Mrs. Joyce Taylor pose for our camera lens
with Dr. Robertson.
Breakfast Treat—December 2013
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