THE Church of Melanesia-owned Bishop Norman Palmer Anglican School convened its first Parent – Teachers Association (PTA) meeting for this Academic Year on Sunday.
The School Chaplain Father (Fr) Barnabas Maelanga opened the meeting with prayer and this was ensued by welcome remarks from the Deputy Principal Wilson Mae.
Deputy Principal Mae welcomed the PTA Chairman and Executive, School Leaders from the Early Childhood Education (ECE), Primary and Secondary strands, Teachers, Parents/Guardians and Supporters.
He said as the Deputy Principal, it was an honour for him to stand before the PTA attendees and acknowledged the very important partnership between homes and the school.
The Deputy Principal said this collaboration is what truly enriches our students’ experiences and helps them flourish both academically and personally.
“We are truly privileged to have supportive and engaging parents and teachers working together to support the education and well-being of our students.
“I welcome you all to this very important PTA meeting. Come with an open heart and a growth mindset to share ideas, challenges and opportunities that we may experience together in our partnership as important stakeholders in the process of teaching and learning here at Bishop Norman Palmer Anglican School.”
The PTA meeting agenda included reports from the ECE, Primary and Secondary strands, teacher’s establishment and student enrolment for 2025, National Examination Results for 2024, priority development project for 2025 and some potential academic strategic plans.
On the the students’ academic results for Forms 3 and 5 and Form 6 national exams for 2024, many parents expressed concern over the performance of their children.
In response, Principal Secondary Mr Rahe said currently the school enrols a large number of students and hence the high number of students being left out of placement to continue their education.
But he added the school administration together with the academic committee do understand the cries of parents.
“You have a heart for the education of your children, you want your children to continue with his or her education and we accepted your child into this school because it is their universal right to be educated.
“We had given you a second chance as an opportunity that we can work together as partners in education to help develop your children holistically.”
School Principal Henry Rahemola emphasised on the crucial role that parents play as the first teachers at home.
“Parents play a fundamental role in the development of their children’s values, discipline and overall learning experiences.
“When parents actively teach and discipline their children at home, they help establish a strong foundation for their academic, emotional and social growth.”
Form 6 Coordinator Madam Matilda Namoi reiterated the importance of Parent–Teacher collaboration in supporting students, especially those in Form Six.
The ACOM Compliance Officer, who represented the ACOM Education Provider, Mr Tahiliu thanked the school administration for inviting him to the PTA meeting.
He said Bishop Norman Palmer School as a church-owned school aims to provide an open Apostolic Christian Education that incorporates Bishop Selwyn’s Education Philosophy of True Religion, Sound Learning and Useful industry as basis to develop a person holistically for positive community leadership and quality service in communities.
Chairman of Christ the King Parish, Charles Maelanga strongly emphasised that as Chairman of the Parish, he wants to see the Christian ethos, principles and values of the Anglican Church of Melanesia be maintained and practiced at school.
PTA Chairman Mr Oikali thanked parents and teachers for their attendance and called on them to improve their attendance of such important meeting because it is the only time that they can voice out their concern.
He said he has full confidence in the ability of parents and teachers to support the school’s physical development as well as the academic performance of students.
