School Leadership Meet the Head of School L


inda Parker ’78 returned to BHS as Head of Secondary in 2003 and subsequently became Head of School in 2007. Mrs Parker, who holds a B.A; B.Ed from Queen’s University in Canada and a Master’s in Education from the University of Exeter in the UK, has a 30-year career as an educator in Bermuda. Her positions include Head of English at both the Whitney Institute and Cedarbridge Academy as well as Deputy Principal at Cedarbridge Academy. She is married, with two sons and enjoys travelling, outdoor activities, teaching and learning.


Mrs Parker spoke to Torchbearer about her pride in BHS and her vision for the School.


What are your major responsibilities as the Head of School?


As Head of School I am responsible for the overall leadership of 650 students and 100 staff. This also includes understanding and promoting the important relationship among Trustees, Administrative Staff, Faculty, Parents, Students and Alumni. I work closely with Department Heads and the academic staff to ensure the growth and development of the educational programmes: Primary, Middle, I/GCSE and IB diploma. I also manage the School budget, supervise the School’s facilities and promote the fundraising objectives of the School.


What are the main attributes that you bring to the position?


I see myself as hard-working, student- centered, approachable and compassionate. I love working with people of all ages and like to lead through a collaborative management style. I am also a strong proponent of single sex education for girls. During my 20 years of working in a co-educational environment, I would repeatedly observe girls allowing boys to surpass them at school in certain subject areas. I also found that the girls would not speak up in class or readily pose questions. In a single sex environment, the girls are focused, not easily distracted, flourish and demonstrate increased self-confidence and more ambition whether it is in the classroom, on the sports field, behind the microphone or on the stage!


Did you ever think about being the Head of School when you were at the BHS?


From the age of 5, I knew that I wanted to be a teacher and ultimately a principal. I thoroughly enjoyed my 12-year experience as a student at BHS. While at university, I always reverted back to the strong educational foundations that I had experienced at BHS and had a desire to one day ‘give back’ to BHS. It was when I was Deputy Principal at


12 Torchbearer Spring 2013


CedarBridge Academy that I realised I wanted to be an educational leader at BHS. After 20 years in Bermuda’s public education system, I knew that it was time to ‘give back’ to my alma mater.


Who was Head of School when you were here and what do you remember about them?


Mrs. Frances Zuill (Primary Years) and Mr. John Delany (Secondary). I was in Primary when Mrs. Zuill was Headmistress. I remember that she seemed very kind and had a warm smile. I remember Mr. Delany more, as I was older. He was BHS’s first headmaster. I found him to be inspirational. He interacted with the students and encouraged me to ‘follow my dreams’.


What would you say to any student who thinks they might one day like to follow in your footsteps?


You can do it... believe in yourself and follow your dreams. Have a plan and work the plan!


BHS seems to have many alumni now on staff, why do you think that is?


We have 26 members of staff who are Alumni at BHS. Like me, they realise the value of a BHS education and how it prepares our students for the future. They are proud of our 119-year tradition and want to give back to the BHS community and the youth of Bermuda.


What are you most proud of about BHS?


I am most proud of the achievements of our students in all arenas. The focus of the BHS experience is to cultivate balanced learners who are provided with opportunities to be inspired, excel and lead in academics, athletics and the arts. The culture at BHS is one where ‘it is cool to be good at school.’ We have enjoyed considerable success in the IB Diploma and our GCSE and IGCSE results are consistently outstanding. I also take great pride in seeing BHS graduates accepted into


well-recognised universities and colleges in the USA, Canada and the UK.


Gaining status as a global member of the Round Square School Organization (in 2005) was an important achievement for BHS. Round Square Schools share a philosophy that supports the growth of the “whole person”. Students have opportunities to participate in international conferences, go on international exchanges and engage in international Round Square service projects. At BHS, we prepare our students to be responsible, internationally-minded citizens of the 21st century and they receive ‘a passport’ to a world class education.


Please share your vision for BHS. My vision is that all students at BHS will


reach their full potential, become well- rounded individuals and acquire the understanding, knowledge and skills to be positive, contributing members of our school, our community and our world. I believe that every student has strengths and it is our job as educators to find these strengths and hone them. From Primary to IB, both inside and outside the classroom, our students learn to be risk takers, communicators, aspirational, open-minded, resourceful and reflective. The school environment is alive with a passion for learning.


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