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Update 20th May 2014

1. Chemistry lab worktops2. School Improvement Plan 3. Teacher incentive revised scheme and teacher performance management1. Chemistry Lab worktopsAt the YSSOSTFA meeting last night in London we confirmed commencement of the first part of our science labs proposal; i.e. 9 x special Chemistry lab worktops. As you know, one of the urgent priorities of the school in order to enhance learning, raise standards and attainment and insure against the school's loss of its SSS status, was the urgent implementation of science labs. Although we are still awaiting funding from YSS alumni to commence for this project we have decided to go ahead with what we can do, hoping YSS alumni will start to contribute to this worthy cause for the Golden Jubilee. The worktops will be on order this week, funded by Eddie Finnegan, our old ex vice principal and English language head at YSS up to 1976. Yet another huge vote of thanks to Eddie, but let us say an even bigger thankyou by making our own donations to the science labs fund as soon as possible. See website for bank details or paypal details. We will also be looking for 5 mini lab sinks and lab taps, a fume cupboard, carpenters to construct the wooden bases, a water tank, tower and pipes, etc.The Trespa Toplab Plus worktops we are purchasing are designed especially for laboratory environments, offering a high standard of hygiene, strength and durability for diverse surroundings such as chemical, analytical and biological laboratories.The worktops' underlying technology transforms wood-based fibres with thermosetting resins, under high pressure and at high temperatures, into robust compact laminate panels that meet the most challenging specifications and are resistant to a large number of aggressive chemicals.We hope they will be ready for shipping by Rokel's deadline of 4th June to arrive a month later. While we are awaiting delivery we'll be planning and constructing the wooden bases for the worktops and about 50 lab stools. Members at the meeting spoke with old boy David Gbongbor in Canada who is a chemistry teacher, thanks for the technical advice David.Any donations of chemistry, physics or biology lab equipment will be most appreciated. SPEAK TO YOUR CHILDREN'S SCHOOL/COLLEGE TOMORROW, they are always updating and discarding lab equipment. We can arrange any shipping necessary from any country.Any funds donations towards the science labs project should be paid via our bank or using paypal via our website. Please add your name and intended project as reference on any payment.2. School Improvement PlanYSSOSTFA are commencing work on a School Improvement Plan (School Development Plan) for YSS with some suggestions culled from various avenues including the school, its stakeholders and (if they are not one and the same) its alumni associations. The aim of this plan is to secure students' academic achievement and personal development. We hope we can all work on this document to bring it to reality. It will require input and collaboration especially from the school and surrounding community.Vision: Core Values/ What the school aims to achieve.Development Priorities: School development priorities identified by students, staff and alumni associationsStrategic Planning: This section sets out the school’s strategy, for the next 5 years, to realise its vision and achieve its aims. It gives the school its direction.Development Plan: Priorities for the next 5 years are identified and drawn from the strategic plan. These priorities are determined through the process of School Self-evaluation as well as in response to external priorities, opportunities, requirements and the recommendations made by governors, alumni associations and ministry of education school inspectors, following inspection of the school.Action Plans: The detailed operational plans for the year ahead.Our first task in completing it is to decide the vision and core values of the school. Other planning tasks can go ahead at the same time, such as setting development goals, strategic intentions and action planning. However, at some point all of these need to connect with the vision and core values. Here is an exercise for identifying core beliefs:· ‘Exercise for Identifying Core Beliefs’: 1. What should school teach? I believe school should teach…………… …… …………………………2. What is a good school? I believe a good school is one that…………………… ………………….3. What is a successful student able to do? I believe a successful student is able to………………………………………4. What is an effective classroom? I believe an effective classroom is one in which…………………………………5. What should a good staff member be like? I believe a good school/office staff member (i.e., teacher, principal, supervisor) is one who…………………………………………6. What should an effective school office do? I believe an effective school faculty / central office division is one that…………………… …… …………….7. What should quality teaching programme include? I believe a quality teaching programme should include………… … ………………………………………8. What do you think the school does very very well now? 9. What do you want the school to do very very well in the future? Please feel free to answer the above questions and make any other inputs to the SIP. Any inputs however large or small and send them to me as and when you have time. The School Improvement Plan document will evolve into something and will constantly be updated as time goes on.3. Teacher incentive revised scheme and teacher performance managementYSSOSTFA are continuing to develop the proposals in Eddie Finnegans paper and are laiasing with the school, principal and teachers. The aim is to enhance the existing teachers incentive scheme and in doing so raise teaching standards at the school. Monitoring of teaching quality is an issue and it has been suggested we find an independent monitor who could also take on full time library duties well before Matt Flannigan's departure in August.Please be proactive, it's 7 months and two weeks to the YSS Golden Jubilee.Help us to have a better school to celebrate.

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Mr. Nanoh Counting the worktops.JPG
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Worktops Received 9th Oct. 2014.JPG

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