Wills Primary push tech in classrooms

Plans are in the works at Wills Primary School to introduce additional technology into the classroom to enhance the learning experience for students.

Principal, Nicole Wills told the audience at Wednesday’s annual prize giving and graduation ceremony to achieve this, she has asked the school’s Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) for assistance.

“In this age of technology and instant gratification it is sometimes difficult for teachers to compete with the onslaught of virtual reality. Our teachers bridge that gap by bringing technology into the classroom through smart TVs. The students become more engaged in learning through animation and song. We hope to continue on this trajectory and have asked the PTA for assistance in giving our students access to iPads and keyboards which will help engage them in writing, reading, comprehension, problem-solving and computer skills. By pairing the iPad with our smart TV the students will become fully engaged in learning.”

The Principal also told the gathering at the Ivan Harewood Centre at Church Hill, Christ Church of plans to reintroduce “Music Theory and the recorder on our curriculum.” She said during the pilot stage, “this subject will be taught from Class 2-4” and next year, they “hope to encompass from KG 4 up.”

Turning her attention to speak about the school’s performance in the Barbados Secondary Schools Entrance Examination, she commended Daniel Wickham for placing third overall among the island’s top performers in the exam, for gaining a perfect score in Mathematics and placing among the top 11 students on the island in English. She also commended Natasha Georges for her perfect score in Mathematics and Nala Maughn for placing among the top 11 pupils on island in English.

Wills further disclosed that “in Mathematics, our average was 89.7 per cent compared to the national average of 62 per cent. In English, our average was 86.3 per cent compared to the national average of 66 percent. Our overall average this year was 88 per cent as compared last year’s 86 per cent. Fifteen out of our 20 students who sat passed for their first choice. To say we are extremely proud is an understatement.”

During Wednesday’s ceremony several prizes were presented to students. The Spirit of Wills Primary School award was given to Head Boy, Troy Browne. Addressing the audience, he urged upcoming Class 4s to “be obedient, focused, put away the gadgets… and work hard. It is only for a time and it is worth it in the end.” (MG)