managing ict managing ict
Embracing
new ideas
Specialist mathematics and computing school, St James,
is using its learning platform to drive an ambitious
international partnership. Thousands of pounds have
already been raised to install a state-of-the-art ICT suite at
St Joseph’s College in Sri Lanka, which is now helping to
strengthen the links even further. Keith Price explains
t JameS School, based in exeter, as a well established school with much to offer, we
S
is a comprehensive community school are keen to continually make a positive contribution
catering for 653 11 to 16-year-old girls to the community in the UK and felt that with our
and boys. as a specialist school in the specialist status and state-of-the-art communication
subjects of mathematics and computing system we could do our bit on a global scale.
we fully exploit an array of innovative after the tsunami, we met with the Rotary Club
technologies. many of our students to discuss building links with international schools,
come from backgrounds experiencing economic especially those in Sri Lanka. after in-depth meetings
hardship. We therefore strive to ensure that everyone and demonstrations of our school’s learning platform
achieves their full potential, whatever their situation or and communication system, the Rotary Club and St
background. James joined forces to raise funds for St Joseph’s
College in Sri Lanka.
Transforming the lives of many
Our learning platform’s flexibility to be tailored
When we first heard of the tsunami hitting Sri Lanka, to the needs of the school and the users was the main
the news of the devastation was shocking and totally benefit to this project. Furthermore, as a centrally Making friends: Keith Price and Duncan
unbelievable. as a teacher, I found it hard to comprehend hosted solution the learning platform supplies us with Goodland At St Jospeh’s College in Sri
the utter destruction and upset to thousands of young 100 per cent reassurance that the environment located Lanka (right), where they helped install an
children’s lives. the Sri Lanka tsunami of December on the premises cannot falter. Using the learning ICT suite (top). The St James learning plat-
26, 2004, displaced and killed tens of thousands of platform as the hub of the Sri Lanka project, we needed form is also pictured
the Sri Lankan population. miles of coastal and inland to be sure that it would not be affected by the region’s
infrastructure damage was caused. broadband failing. the fundraising at the school clearly demonstrated
the flair and dedication of our students and in just one
year with the help from Rotary Club we raised in the
region of £5,000 for St Joseph’s. the school children,
with pleasure of course, took part in non-uniform
days and numerous charity days to raise as much
money as possible for their peers at in Sri Lanka.
IS YOUR SCHOOL WEBSITE
Shocked by the devastation in Sri Lanka, our
students were committed to helping and doing as
much as they could so that the St Joseph’s students
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could access just a fraction of the facilities that we
have over here at St James.
Trip of a lifetime
In July 2008, myself and Duncan Goodland, network
The year ahead
manager of St James School, travelled to Negombo, Sri thanks to the Department for International Development,
Lanka. Our duty was to install 26 desktop computers which funds teacher exchanges, this summer I am again
Bright Schools provide a wealth of interactive
and offer expert guidance and training to the staff at St off on my travels to Negombo to visit St Joseph’s and
website tools to improve communication and
Joseph’s on basic packages such as microsoft Word. provide further training on the computers.
amazingly, St Joseph’s previously owned only Sophisticated training will be offered to both teachers
create a vibrant online school community
two computers. to come from our school in the UK and students, focusing heavily on the possibilities with
where computers and digital learning is the norm, was the learning platform. I also plan to install a webcam in
an unbelievable experience and culture shock for the the computer suite so that the two schools can benefit
both of us. from a visual connection via the learning platform.
On our arrival at the school we were warmly greeted through this worldwide video link we aim to share
by the children and staff at St Joseph’s and took part in lesson materials and take part in collaborative school
a welcoming ceremony where we were given symbolic projects. It is hoped that the students will establish pen
orchid garlands and introduced to the whole school. friend relationships and learn from each other’s cultures
again, what an experience – the children were so and academic experiences.
kind and elated to be a part of this once-in-a-lifetime the next academic year also brings exciting
project. advances. Our students will be given access to a global
a mere one per cent of schools in Sri Lanka are communication pathway through the learning platform.
fortunate enough to have access to an ICt suite, so Here they will be able to use their email accounts and
St Joseph’s was overwhelmed by this offering of the webcam facility. there is so much to be learnt
facilities that they could once only dream of. the by both the students and teachers through this global
teachers were in utter awe of the technology and the connection.
learning platform. It was a pleasure working with the Geographically and in terms of academic offering
staff and students of the school. they are all so eager to our two schools are worlds apart. St Joseph’s facilities
learn and explore the numerous possibilities of digital are so very limited and here at St James we are
CONTaCT BRIGHT SCHOOLS FOR FLExIBLE WEBSITE
learning. privileged to have access to a large number of state-
Now back home in the UK, we are able to continue of-the-art facilities on our campus. We want to share
SOLUTIONS TO SUIT YOUR ONLINE REqUIREmENTS
our communication with St Joseph’s. at the click of a our facilities and make a difference to school children
button, Duncan and I can answer any ICt problems or across the globe.
enquiries. through our remote desktop link and state- through the webcam facility we hope that our
of-the-art learning platform I can take complete control students will learn about the day-to-day life of Sri
of St Joseph’s ICt suite. If there any problems that Lankan school children, while the video link serves
the college cannot resolve, I am able to rectify them to provide hope and aspiration for the students in
with ease from my office in the UK. We also have a Negombo. St Joseph’s teachers will be encouraged to
special online blog where we can speak with Chrisantha access and make use of our online lesson plans and
Fernando, english teacher and ICt technician at teaching resources, while the students will be able
t 0800 680 0327
St Joseph’s. to use all of our online learning resources, such as
We often communicate with Chrisantha about ICt PowerPoint presentations, factsheets and quizzes.
e info@brightschools.co.uk
problems such as troubled computer set ups, general We hope that our efforts will dramatically transform
enquiries about using packages such as Word, and education at St Joseph’s. SecEd
w brightschools.co.uk
day-to-day questions about ICt. to be able to share
our wealth of ICt knowledge and make a difference • Keith Price is director of specialist status (mathematics
to a troubled school across the globe is a great and computing) at St James School in Exeter, which
feeling. uses the Frog learning platform.
10 SecEd • april 23 2009
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