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CAPE Workshop au Ministère de l'éducation

Un grand merci à nos deux formatrices,

Mme Elise N'Dalla et Mme Lillith Barnaby

et à tous les professeurs qui ont assisté à

l'atelier en décembre 2017.

Un grand merci également à Roxanne Lovelace

du Ministère de l'Education pour son assistance.

St George's College students at David Cairol's workshop

David Cairol was not in Jamaica “par hasard” in November 2017. His passion for music brought him to Jamaica. As a guitarist and a fan of Bob Marley, he tried to get some inspiration in Jamaica to launch his next music album. He conducted several workshops in Kingston and the Head of Modern Language Department of St George’s, Mrs Shelley Wong, ensured that her students would participate in one of them. The aim of the workshop is to get the students to write a song in French.

When asked about his workshop at St George’s, David said that he was impressed to see how they managed to come up with a song in French in less than 3 hours. He accompanied them with his guitar.

Two students from St George’s wrote about the workshop.

Romarie Bartley (3ème )

Le chanteur David Cairol est venu à mon école St George's College pour un atelier où nous avons appris à écrire une chanson en français.

À mon avis, c'était fantastique et plus intéressant que j'aurais imaginé. Lui, il a été très calme et marrant. Il a garanti que tout le monde a bien compris. J'espère qu'il va revenir un jour dans le futur.

Zachary Smith (2ème )

J'ai assisté à un atelier de chanson avec mon prof et d'autres élèves de mon école. M. David Cairol était le présentateur. Il était très compréhensif et sympa. Les trois groupes ont appris à écrire les différentes parties d'une chanson: le couplet, le refrain et le pont. Mon groupe et moi avons écrit le refrain et j'ai été choisi pour le chanter avec l'aide de M. Cairol avec sa guitare. C'était incroyable, stimulant et passionnant. Je me suis bien amusé!

French on the horizon at Caribbean Maritime University

Congratulations to the Caribbean Maritime Institute for its transition to the now Caribbean Maritime University (CMU)!

September 2017 will be remembered for this new milestone. For us, French teachers, it will be remembered as the time when French was introduced in the CMU’s programme for the first time.

CMU has adapted to the demands of the global economic situation by equipping their students with linguistic skills through the Spanish, Mandarin and now French. This is to facilitate their marketable capacity and some of them will be able to seize job opportunities offered by French speaking Caribbean and in particular CMA CGM.

The existing links with France will increase. The most recent Memorandum of Understanding was signed in May 2016 between CMI and the Cluster GAT Caraïbes (a network of Logistics and Transport organisation in Martinique) to facilitate the mobility of students between Martinique and Jamaica. This has proved productive as this year a student from Martinique has made CMU as the institution of choice for his studies. Likewise, a student from CMU completed a two months industrial placement at CMA CGM in Martinique. In addition, links with Guadeloupe and French Guiana have already been established. This will provide mobility of the Jamaican students between these countries.

We wish CMU all the best in this new journey.

Vive le français à l’Université Maritime de la Caraïbe !

Écrit par Mme M. Ferriera

Présidente de la JAFT

Professeur de Français

à l’Université Maritime de la Caraïbe

Tribute to MRS. GILLIAN WHYLIE

Mrs. Gillian Whylie joined the Modern Languages Team at the Convent of Mercy Academy “Alpha” in November 2015. Though her stint with us was a short one, lasting about six months, her impact was surely felt. She taught Spanish to grade 8 students and French from lower through to upper school. As Head of the Modern Languages Department, as well as a grade 11 French teacher, I, Ms. Z. Holding, had the pleasure of working closely with Mrs. Whylie. She was a dedicated teacher who prepared her lessons with care, attended her classes regularly and punctually and demonstrated a serious approach to her work, willingly offering to edit our department examination scripts among other tasks. As HOD I had the responsibility of visiting her classes to observe the teaching and on one occasion I remember commenting on the patience she demonstrated in dealing with her students. She was extremely caring and would not leave a stone unturned until all her students understood the concepts.

She went above and beyond the call of duty especially for those students preparing for the Caribbean Secondary Examinations Certificate (CSEC). Mrs. Whylie would have extra classes several times per week and would sit for hours correcting books. Her openness to suggestions made it easy to work with her. Therefore, it was no surprise when all her students were successful on their external examinations including those who were struggling initially.

Her responsibilities as a new teacher did not prevent her from participating in extracurricular activities. On our annual Modern Languages Day, she was very much involved, from teaching the students a traditional Spanish dance to assisting with the collecting of awards for the function. Additionally, she helped with the annual Crepe Sale organized by the department.

She was highly regarded by other members of staff as well.

According to Ms. S. Stephenson, a member of the Modern Languages Team, she was kind, gentle and calm. She was patient, not just in relating to the students but with her approach to her work. She would sit for hours diligently marking the students’ notebooks.

Another member of our team, Ms. S. Jarrett, admired her grace and her witty sense of humor.

Mr. M. Maxwell, Modern Languages teacher, describes her as friendly, kind and helpful.

Mrs. S. Wiles, a Religious Education teacher, found her to be earnest, dignified with a passion for the languages.

Ms. S. Reid, a Business teacher, describes her as warm, sharing and ready and willing to give a compliment.

Walk good Gillian. We are definitely honoured that you graced us with your presence.

ON T’OUBLIERA JAMAIS!!!

Meet Mme Shelley Wong, French Teacher of the Year 2016

I have been teaching French only at St George’s College for approximately 14 years (since September 2003) even though I’m qualified to teach Spanish as well. I became Head of the Modern Languages Department (6 members of staff) in September 2009.

I have taught at all grade levels (i.e. 7 -13) but I now teach grades 9-13.

I see my vocation as a way to serve God (by using my talents) and my neighbours (students). I am motivated by a passion to see students achieve as well as a sense of responsibility that comes with being a teacher. To borrow a phrase from a colleague (Karen Plummer-Sankey), I also believe that “French is not just a subject but a way of life” and this motivates me to seek out opportunities that will expose students to how big French is. For this reason, I ensure that St George’s College is a visible presence in the Francophone school community in Jamaica, whether it is attendance/participation in activities organised by JAFT, the AF, and the UWI etc.

This passion has driven me to prepare students for the annual DELF examinations since 2007 with 9 candidates culminating in 2016 with 30 candidates, which represents approximately 167 certifications during this period (Levels A1-B2). This year will mark the 10th cohort from St George’s College and I’m looking forward to breaking the 200-certifications barrier which will mean at least 33 successful candidates!

Highlights throughout my career:

Consistent pass rate at CSEC & CAPE French (95-100%)- students placing in the top 10 nationally and regionally for both levels
Recipient of scholarship for 2 week training in Guadeloupe in 2006
Recipient of scholarship for 1 month to attend Université d’été – Nantes, France where I became a certified DELF examiner in 2008
Top student in the Caribbean in 2015 CAPE Unit 1 French (Calvin Wright who is the holder of B2 diploma that same year)
Active member of JAFT as well as serve in various executive roles
Award from the AF for contribution to DELF in 2015
Award for contribution to JAFT “2016 Teacher of the Year”