St. Francois Girls' College

St. Francois Girls’ College opened its doors in 1962 - the very year that Trinidad and Tobago gained Independence – with a Principal, three (3) teachers and ninety-six (96) students. It was then, and still is, the only all girls Government Secondary School in the twin-island State.

Today, St. François Girls’ College has a complement of seven hundred and seventy-two (772) students as of April 2009. The College is administered by a Principal and Vice Principal, has fifty-four (54) teachers and fourteen (14) support staff personnel. The students originate from a largely lower/middle to middle-class background whose catchment area extends from Arima, east of Port-of-Spain to Port-of-Spain and its environs.

In July 2005, the students who were assigned to Form One at St. François Girls’ College fell within the ninety-sixth (96%) to ninety-second (92%) national percentile in the SEA Examination. This academic level is not peculiar to 2005. Rather it represents the level of academic intake that has historically been assigned to St. François Girls’ College.

Although there has been remarkable academic improvement, stakeholders have expressed the opinion that much better results could be achieved – particularly in respect of the all-round development of the student: Commitment to excellence, acquisition of modern skill-sets and competencies, heightened ambition, improved study habits, time management, enhanced self-esteem, self-confidence, decorum, social etiquette - general work-readiness. In this regard, the operations of St. François Girls’ College came under close scrutiny.

In order to improve operations at the College and in do doing effect better student outcomes, St. François Girls’ College has devised a School Development (five (5) year rolling) Plan (2005 – 2010) that addresses the following issues:

1. HEALTH, SAFETY and the ENVIRONMENT (HSE)
Provision of a healthy, safe and secure environment that enables creative learning and teaching. The protection of all stakeholders on the compound against intruders, fire, bombs, unhealthy surroundings, unsafe and unhealthy practices. The following issues will be considered:
(a) Sound physical infrastructure
(b) Safety installations
(c) HSE procedures and programmes
(d) Relocation of St. Francois Girls’ College

2. CURRICULUM DEVELOPMENT
Upgrade and expansion of the curriculum to reflect the rapidly increasing demands of an ever-evolving and turbulent local and global marketplace driven by emerging technologies:
a) The expansion and modernisation of the curriculum
b) The institution of a Business Magnate: The integration of Business and Enterprise in the curriculum
c) The integration of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) in the curriculum

3. CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT of STUDENTS
Nurturing of the personal and social capacity of the student to produce a decorous individual who is holistically well-developed and able to make a meaningful contribution to society:
(a) Character Development Programme
(b) Student participation in student movements, clubs, competitions, events
(c) Parental involvement in student character development

4. PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT of TEACHERS
“Buy-in” - Commitment and constant renewal to:
(a) Vision and Mission, and goals and values enshrined therein
(b) Professional Development programmes for teachers

5. STAKEHOLDER INVOLVEMENT: Fostering a harmonious stakeholder relationship
Creating and/or maintaining active and effective stakeholder involvement in school programmes:
(a) P.T. A.
(b) Alumni
(c) Local School Board (LSB)
(d) Local community
(e) Business community