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The Board of Management of St.
Chairman Anthony Bousquet issued a statement Thursday on behalf of the board.
The full statement appears below:
“Step together…”
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These words are more than just the opening of our beloved school song. No; these first two words are a call for a team mentality and an equivalent call to reduce the futility of thinking only about “me”. Our Alma Mater, St. Mary’s College. Adults will no doubt agree that it is easier to think about “me” than to think about a team or unity. For any team to survive there must be certain rules. Yes; and some traditions which may not make sense to the outside world are kept.
All large institutions have rules.
All great institutions are about a team discipline. St. Mary’s is a great institution.
Saint Mary’s is not just a school. It is an iconic learning institution built on the shoulders of many great Saint Lucians. School rules did not destroy the creativity of our greats – Sir Derek won the Nobel Prize in a discipline that calls for ultimate creativity and self-expression; and he followed the rules. The United States, from which we now derive many of our cultural influences, is a country known for individuality and the preservation of rights. It is also a country with a multitude of social safety nets. However, to enter the best academies one must cut one’s hair; even in the US, the need for a team is recognized and respected.
We in Saint Lucia do not have the safety nets of the developed world. Young people, in fact everyone, on this small rock at 14°N must have a level of discipline that exceeds that of a developed country. Setting and following rules helps.
Internal discipline must be instilled in the youth, in “our men in training”. The boys at SMC are among the best we have academically. However, it is not about more than 80% in CPEA, no; it is a deeper sense of the need for growth in the human virtues—prudence, courage, prudence, justice—that should help us move toward self-mastery and joy. She urges boys to sometimes take the hardest and most disciplined path – it’s a training path.
That being said, we are not advocating that we not examine our traditions; Giving up “Calot” came as a result of introspection. Every institution should conduct regular introspection. Therefore, Saint Mary must examine herself. The methodology for this introspection has many avenues. First are the principal and the teachers. There is an active Parent Teacher Association which acts as an interface between parents, teachers and the Governing Board. The school also has an active Student Council, which fields the grievances of the student body and advocates for meaningful change. The Management Board is easily accessible and tries to bring forward the interests of all actors of our institution.
It is in light of the availability of these multiple avenues that we, the Board of Managers, are disappointed with the manner in which this most popular complaint has been presented. Our New Samaritans are trained in how complaints are filed. Therefore, first breaking a rule, then pushing that rule violation into the public domain, before pursuing any of the aforementioned complaint avenues, is inconsistent with what our samaras are trained to do.
This simply cannot be done in the working world!
Note with interest that the rule book of St. Mary clearly states the school’s hair regulations. Before a parent decides to enroll their child in St. Mary, they are notified of the regulations for students. By registering, they agree to follow those regulations.
All male students are accommodated at St. John’s College. Mary, regardless of their socio-economic status, religion or race. In line with our ethos of accommodating and providing comprehensive support to our students, the school always uses flexible measures for students who have legitimate written excuses. All we ask is that parents and students respect and follow the school rules as agreed upon entering the school thus ensuring appropriate behavior and a conducive learning environment for all students. Our said parents are fully aware of the said rules. The issue of arrangement was raised with the parents of the young Samarian last academic year. The parents were advised of any interventions that may be needed regarding their son.
It is unfortunate that this dialogue was abandoned in favor of a “public hearing”. This “public hearing” was characterized by comments filled with distortions and lies.
The young Samaritan was not denied entry to the classroom unless he cut his hair. No; The young Samaritan can keep his hair, but only has to cover it to enter the classroom – like all the other students with long hair. No; this rule does not apply exclusively to boys of a certain race. All boys, regardless of race, are required to cut their hair if they are above a certain height or cover their hair to enter the classroom – ALL BOYS. There have been many proposed solutions. One advocates that hair simply “not be a distraction…” This is clearly subjective; any style can be distracting to any person.
Others call for the hair to be fixed. That may be so, but in the near future there will be a cry asking “why do you have to brush your hair?” “It’s my hair and I clean it, I don’t want to comb it! It’s my right!” Of course we could think of other solutions.
St. Mary’s offers a way out of all this, everyone, regardless of race, has to cut their hair or cover up for class. How can this rule discriminate against anyone – EVERYONE IS TREATED THE SAME. Further, accept that SMC has taken every move to an out-of-school fashion show – any boy can stage any fashion show he wishes on weekends under the auspices of his family.
The Board of Directors appeals to all parents and the general public, whom our boys will ultimately serve, to recognize what we are trying to do at SMC. Understand that this “rock” needs guys who are at a higher level of discipline than those in the developed world. Our teachers believe this! Our teachers believe this is important! The board and most parents believe this! Our boys need to learn this!
At this time, the board is focused on completing the strategic plan for the school and implementing its vision for 2021 and beyond. In this plan much introspection will be and has been undertaken. A natural part of this introspection is reviewing all the rules.
Currently, the school is preparing students for future interscholastic sports activities. We are making innovative strides in our boys’ education as we are proud to announce the introduction of SAT classes into our fivefold curriculum; a certain benefit for those who wish to enroll in universities in the United States. The school is also working diligently with partners in Trinidad and Tobago to introduce robotics to our students in January 2023.
College of St. – but they are called to be the elite “soldiers” of Saint Lucia. Our nation must wait long because the boys have been given so much – they will be saved by the grace of God!
These “clean boys”, these “men in training”, must know the rules and accept that the collective is stronger than an individual. Some without fathers, some without active parents, all need a team. Sometimes the demands of the team can squeeze our individuality, but they will never destroy our creativity.
“Step TOGETHER…” not just words.
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