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New literacy programme begins at
George Hicks High
Web Posted - Mon March 27 2007
George Hicks High School has recently
introduced a revolutionary literacy programme aimed at vastly
improving literacy levels in the Cayman Islands.
An open demonstration is set to place on Tuesday, 27 March in which
parents can see the potential benefits but also what they can do to
support their child’s learning.
The new programme is entitled Teaching Handwriting Reading And
Spelling Skills or THRASS and was developed by a UK company of the
same name.
THRASS was created and perfected by Alan Davies, an educational
psychologist and executive director of THRASS UK.
On Friday 23 March, presenters from THRASS completed a two-day
course with education delegates from schools across Grand Cayman.
“I’m delighted by the reaction of the teachers and also the
government. I believe that THRASS will lead to a dramatic
improvement in the level of literacy on the Island,” said Mr Davies.
The course, held at George Hicks Campus, was the first of its kind
to be held in the Caribbean. On the strength of that course, and the
response it received, three subsequent demonstration lessons have
been organized on the Island. These will take place at North Side
Primary School, George Town Primary School and John A Cumber in West
Bay.
The THRASS programme takes a unique approach to literacy that has
proven to be extremely effective. THRASS recently became one of just
two programmes approved by the UK education ministry.
“It’s a programme with proven results, it has been tried and
tested,” said Des McConvey, Deputy Director of George Hicks Campus.
Adora Bodden-Groome, Campus Director at George Hicks, is the first
school principal in the Caribbean to do the THRASS accreditation
course.
Keen to promote this new learning tool she is welcoming all parents
to Tuesday’s presentation to see how they can help their children’s
education. As well as classroom learning courses, the THRASS
programme also offers free online assistance that can be used
outside of school.
“The nice thing about this programme is that they have a lot of
online resources that can be used at home,” said Mr McConvey.
Susie Bayles is the Education Psychologist at George Hicks who
gained first hand experience of the THRASS programme when she worked
in the UK. “It’s fantastic, definitely increases literacy,” she
said.
It is not just schools that are taking an interest in THRASS. Mr
Davies explained that the Phoneme Machine, a learning tool designed
by THRASS, has been endorsed by Smart Technology, the world leaders
in interactive whiteboard technology. Further recognition of the
Phoneme Machine has come from software giants Microsoft who wish to
showcase it at the upcoming African School Technology Innovation
Centre.
The THRASS presentation is open to the public and will take place on
Tuesday, 27 March at 5:30 pm in the main hall at George Hicks
Campus. More information on the THRASS programme and support
materials can be found at
www.thrass.co.uk.
Source: Cayman Net News
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