COBA JAMAICA

COBA PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

My fellow Old Boys

The new COBA executive wishes to sincerely thank you for the tremendous support given and for the large number of persons who turned out to vote. This renewed interest in COBA we hope, will translate into more old boys offering themselves to support the work of COBA

The elections are now behind us, and we need to come together and join forces to assist the school as much as we are able. This new executive is of the belief, that there needs to be more inclusiveness among old boys, both local and overseas, if we are to achieve THE UTMOST FOR THE HIGHEST. In this regard we have invited and they have accepted 2 persons from the opposing slate to join our executive as well as all the presidents of the overseas chapters and affiliates. We have established a number of sub-committees through which the majority of the assistance to Calabar will be implemented. We have planned a retreat for the 26thOctober during which we hope to finalise these committees and establish our short, medium and long term goals. We are asking old boys both local and overseas to volunteer to be members of the sub-committees. These sub-committees are listed on page # of this newsletter and the contact email to indicate which committee you would like to work on.

These goals will be fashioned based on the priorities of the school, and at our first executive meeting, the newly appointed principal Ms Sean Wilson made a presentation outlining these priorities. These are listed elsewhere in this newsletter One of our primary goals is to ensure that all old boys are kept abreast of COBA activities, and it is this regard that we will be publishing a bi-monthly digital newsletter, ensuring that all COBA chapters and affiliates have an opportunity to include information relating to their activities. We will also ensure that the COBA website is kept current. We strongly believe that mush more can be achieved if all COBA chapters and affiliates, pool their resources. In addition to inviting the presidents of all COBA Chapters and affiliates to be part of our regular executive meetings, we plan to hold a number of online meetings where all old boys will be invited to attend and participate in what we hope will be lively discussions and recommendations. I don’t think that we need to be reminded that it is the principal through the school board that is held accountable for whatever happens at Calabar

Our role, therefore, as Old Boys like that of the PTA and all other affiliates, is to support the schools administration. Our goal should be to provide technical, financial, and administrative support to enable all students leaving Calabar to maximize their potential and to be ready to face the world ahead.

Emotionally Socially Spiritually Educationally

To achieve this, we must assist the administration in ensuring the best possible working environment for.

Teachers Admin staff Ancillary staff & Students

This can only be achieved by dialogue with the schools administration, and as such, our support to the school can only be determined after consultations with the principal, the PTA, the board, and other supporting affiliates I don't think that many of us realise how disruptive Covid 19 was to the Calabar community Many of the positive interventions implemented not only by COBA but other affiliates were railroaded, and we need to get them back on track I strongly believe that we have an opportunity at this time to make a significant improvement at Calabar and I am counting on every old boy to step forward and say Yes Sir Yes Sir at the call of CALABAR.

new Principal APPOINTED TO CALABar high school

Sian Mahay Wilson.

Calabar Old Boys Association welcome the appointment of Ms. Sian Wilson as the new principal of Calabar High School and look forward to working with her and the school's administration in support of "THE UTMOST FOR THE HIGHEST"

Sian Mahay Wilson MSW, B.A (HONS), Dip. Ed has been appointed the first female Principal of Calabar High School. Her passion for teaching and administration have been the focal point of her enthusiasm and dedication to molding young minds, mentoring and teaching. With eight (8) years of administrative experience, her aim is to continue serving in a collaborative environment that is healthy, supportive and focuses on the holistic development of both staff and students.

Sian is a trained teacher from Church Teachers’ College where she graduated with a Diploma in Business Studies and History. She earned her Bachelors in Psychology (Hons) and her Masters Degree in Clinical Social Work from the University of the West Indies. She most recently received her principal qualifications from the National College for Professional Leadership (NCEL). She has approximately twenty-nine (29) years of professional experience at Calabar, twenty (20) of which she has served in several senior management capacities. She has held the role of Vice Principal for the lower school (Grades 7-9); appointed since January 2017 as well as Acting Vice Principal of the Upper School (Grades 10 -13). She also served as Grade Coordinator for Grade 11 and the Staff representative to the school board.

In her leadership capacities and service on various committees, she has directed the implementation of school-wide improvement strategies, programs and initiatives that advanced academic excellence, growth and long-term sustainability at Calabar. She is adept at driving educational transformation priorities, executing cost controls & budgets, able to lead staff, students and manage stakeholder relations in a dynamic environment to successfully align with the school’s strategic vision. She also has over 15 years at the tertiary level as an online facilitator to University of the West Indies Open Campus. There she serves as a Course Coordinator and Facilitator of both psychology and social work courses.

Miss Wilson is a published educator. She is the co-author of the 6th edition of the Principles of Business for CSEC Examinations. Her master’s thesis was an auto-ethnographic research on how Jamaican teachers can meet the psycho-social needs of their students; a paper she presented at the Gordon Derek Research Seminar in 2010. She served as a volunteer Social Worker at Rise Life Management for a number of years and is a member of the Ardennes Alumni Association. She does community mentoring and partners on several projects that improves early childhood centers. She enjoys traveling and trying new cooking recipes.

She accepts that change is constant and that adaptability and lifelong learning are imperatives for a developing professional. An efficient time management system, competent leadership and administrative skills, being a team player and having valuable interpersonal skills are key components of her leadership approach. These are complemented by her intent on embracing change and being strategic in creating solutions. Ms. Wilson believes in being courageous when protecting the mission of any organization she serves and to be loyal to its cause. As for Calabar, it is simply the longest love affair she has had. She is absolutely committed to the school’s philosophy, values, goals and continued transformation. Here Sir!

Welcome to CALABAR HIGH SCHOOL-PTA

About tHE PTA

The Calabar High School Parents – Teachers Association (PTA) is answering the call to join the mission “to return Calabar to the position of the school of choice”. Over many years different stakeholder groups associated with the school have resourced numerous initiatives to assist the school but seemingly in an uncoordinated way. The intention here is to present a short to medium term (multi-year) plan that addresses some issues that are critical to the success of the boys and by extension the school. The intent is to create a road map plan that future PTA administrations and stakeholder groups can use to the continued coordinated benefit of the

school. One feature of this PTA administration will be the continual information flow to all the identifiable stakeholder groups.

The PTA believe that every student has the potential to succeed when they are made passionate about what they are learning. That's why we support a transformational school that offers a wide range of courses and programs that allow students to explore their interests and discover their passions. From music and art to computer science and engineering, there's something for everyone at Calabar High School!

OUR VISION

we envision a world where all students have access to high-quality education and equal opportunities for success.

PTA-BREAKFAST PROGRAM

On Monday, the 15th day of January 2024, the PTA’s Welfare Committee, under the leadership of Ms. Maureen Lindsay, launched the Calabar High School PTA Breakfast Program and fed forty-seven (47) boys that day. The program seeks to provide sandwiches, tea, and juice three (3) days of the week (Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays). Serving begins at 6:15 A.M. and ends at 7:15 A.M., so that the student who is served at 7:15 A.M. still has time to eat and get to his classroom for the start of school at 7:35 A.M. The breakfast program operates from the veranda of the Calabar Old Boys Association (COBA) office. The team of servers consists of parents and/or volunteers. We understand that every student has unique needs, and we are committed to providing the support and resources necessary for every student to thrive. Our counseling and wellness services provide students with the tools they need to manage stress, develop healthy habits, and navigate the challenges of adolescence. We also offer academic support, tutoring, and accommodations for students with special needs. We welcome students from all backgrounds and encourage diversity and inclusivity in our community. Our admissions process is designed to be fair, transparent, and accessible. We invite you to learn more about our admissions requirements, application process, and important dates and deadlines. The breakfast program creates an opportunity to interact with the boys, ask them about their day, wish them a great day, encourage better academic and behavioral performance, and address issues in their mannerism, courtesy, deportment, grooming and compliance with the school’s dress code.

Contact COBA JAMAICA OR THE PTA

We would love to hear from you! Whether you have questions about our programs and services, or simply want to learn more about our school, our faculty and staff are always happy to help. You can contact us by phone, email, or in person. We look forward to hearing from you!

Calabar Old Boys’ Association Mentorship Programme Academic

The faithful few have answered the call of ‘Here Sir!’ and selflessly volunteered time, effort and energy to assist in shaping the lives of the young cubs and lions at 61 Red Hills Road through COBA’s Mentorship Programme.

To date, there are approximately 25 mentors spanning the lower and upper grades as well as special interest groups and within the *virtual realm. We are still woefully short of volunteers and we welcome all interested personnel to assist in this noble cause.

Here Sir!

Our Community

Our diverse and supportive community is made up of students, faculty, staff, and families who work together to create a positive and inclusive learning environment.

BE COME A MENTOR

A mentor is someone who allows you to see the hope inside yourself.

ALL CALABAR CHAPTERS news

ATLANTA Chapter

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