Our Early Beginnings

 

The first five years of a child's life is the best time for building values, life skills, habits and attitudes. It is with this view in mind that the Bethany Board Members, Chaired by Dr. Rupert Riley and sponsored by Dr. Margaret Morris started Bethany Basic School in 1998 with a vision of instilling Christian values and principles in the lives of children from an early age. The school started with 11 children, Mrs. Gloria Mckie as Principal and Mrs. Gurzel Hanchard as Vice Principal (who currently teaches Class 2H). Over the past nineteen years, however, the school's population has increased significantly. We currently have 140 students enrolled in our institution.

Mrs. Darrel Coke subsequently joined the family in January 2007 as principal, where she served faithfully, contributing to the development of the school for over six years. Mrs. Jacqueline Staines-Bartley who joined in September 2004, (formerly the class teacher of Class 3S) was promoted to principal in September 2013 and is the current principal of the school. 

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Staff and Classes

 

The school has a dedicated compliment of staff consisting of : Mrs. Gurzel Hanchard as Vice Principal (Class 2H), Mrs. Lorraine Sloely-McKenzie (Class 3SM), Miss Ann-Marie Wint (Class 1W ), Mrs. Cynthia Clarke-Bowes (Class 3B), Mrs. Lilieth Barrett (Class 2B) and our newest member of teaching cohort, Mrs. Trieshella Brown (Class 1B). 

Our auxiliary staff, Mr. Shavaun Dixon, who has served as our Gate Attendant since 2021 and Ms. Ann-Marie Omeally, our dedicated Ancillary worker, since (2018). 

We pay tribute to Mrs. Kidesha James-Blackwood (September 2000), formerly of Class 1JB and Class 3JB, Ms. Saskia Gouldbourne and Ms. Lorraine Anderson who bid us farewell in 2020, 2021 and 2022 respectively. The school also expressed its appreciation for the contribution of our former secretary, Mrs. Cutie Bennett who joined our family in 2004 but has since passed on in August 2020. 

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First Things First - Christian Values

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In keeping with the vision of founding members, devotions are held daily by the class teachers and special devotions, initiated by Mrs. Winnifed Silvera (Aunty Winnie), are held each Wednesday morning (lead by Aunty Alieka and Aunty Joan) with  the children, parents and teachers in the church hall catering to their spiritual growth and aesthetic development.

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Mission Statement

We are committed with God’s help to provide the opportunity for children between the ages of three to six years to experience educational stimulation and the inculcating of moral values that will enhance their total development during early childhood in an environment in which there is an ethic of caring, honesty and respect for the worth and dignity of each member of our school community.

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Achievements

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Bethany Early Childhood Development Centre has consistently participated child development activities. We are thankful for the  achievements we have had over the past 22 years:

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• Bethany Basic School attained the title of Bethany Early Childhood Development Centre in 2008 as an accredited school by the Early Childhood Commission.  

• The school participated in the annual Kiwanis Club of Kingston's Spelling Competition at the Kindergarten level (Little Bee), taking first place in 2008.  In 2019 and 2020, our school was placed in the Champion of All Champion Schools Competition. Additionally, our school placed fourth in the Zone 6, Region 1 Spelling Bee Competition in 2018.

• In a hula hoop competition held in 2010 by the National Health Fund (Jamfit), we placed second.

• Our school participates in the annual Basic School Sports Championships. In 2014 and 2015 our Amari Gayle received the Championship Trophy for two consecutive years. We placed 18th out of 119 schools in 2018 and obtained one of the Champion Boy prizes. 

• In 2016, the school placed second at the Kiddies Football Competition lead by teacher-coach Mrs. Lorraine Sloely-McKenzie.

 

At Bethany, "every child counts", we understand the importance of early childhood and how learning and development in the early stages of a child's education is critical for establishing positive attitudes in the society. Bethany Early Childhood Development Centre is recognized among the top basic schools in the island. Our students are engaged not only in academics but are also exposed to extra curricula activities such as football, music, dance, sign language and Good News clubs. We also offer reading classes where students are introduced to words and word construction from an early age. The testimonials speak to the success of this venture, where our students have gone on from our institution reading at levels that far exceed the range given by the Ministry of Education.

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Registration

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We cater to children from Ages 2 years and 8 months  to 4 years old. Registration for Bethany Early Childhood Development Centre begins in March of each year. Registration for the September 2024 academic year will commence on March 4, 2024 at 8AM.  The registration link can be found below: 

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REGISTER NOW

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Please contact the school's office at 876 778-5765, if you have any queries.

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Contact Us

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We are located 9a Hagley Park Road, Kingston 10, and can be contacted at  876-778-5765 from the hours of 8am - 1pm Mondays to Fridays, or you can email us at bethanyecdc.schl@gmail.com.