Republic Bank supports Erdiston Special School’s literacy through music

The Music and Literacy Programme of the Erdiston Special School at Pine Hill, St. Michael, is well on the way to achieving enhanced literacy and learning for students following a donation of funds and equipment from Republic Bank.

The donation will also assist with curriculum development and the provision of a dedicated space for the development of reading skills at the school which presently serves 66 students, including 55 boys and 11 girls of primary school age.

Long serving Principal, Mrs. Cheryl Forde, said the School catered to a body of challenged but gifted students facing a variety of special needs conditions. She noted that as she approached retirement after 43 years in special education, she was thankful and encouraged that the School would be well cared for through its continuing partnership with Republic Bank.

The experienced School administrator said the Music and Literacy Programme was based on the principle of using music to deepen the learning environment in a literacy classroom. She said that the School reached out to Republic Bank for assistance in acquiring various pieces of equipment, including drums and percussion instruments, keyboards, steel pans, recorders, other wind and brass instruments, and twirling ribbons and batons. For the Speech Programme requirements included, augmentative and alternative communication devices; Lakeshore headphones with eight-station junction box; a listening centre, reading activity centre, and Sesame Street puppets.

Michelle Pounder, Republic Bank’s Senior Manager, Administration and Operations, made the presentations which were accepted on behalf of the School body by Principal Forde, and Head Boy, Wesley Linton.

Pounder said the donation and Republic Bank’s ongoing sponsorship of the Erdiston Special School was part of the Bank’s Power to Make a Difference programme – embodying four pillars including caring, helping, learning and succeeding.

“Republic Bank is pleased to partner with Erdiston Special School by providing equipment needed to support the education of these very special children, and we are delighted to see the progress that they are making. This is what our Power to Make a Difference programme is really about and we look forward to working with this dedicated group of teachers and caregivers to ensure that all our children can learn and succeed,” Pounder said.