A Message to Our Community

Reflecting on My First Year as Director of Education and Supervision

Dear Brothers and Sisters,

As I’ve completed my first year as your Director of Education, I want to take this opportunity to reflect on the journey we’ve shared, the progress we’ve made, and the exciting path ahead.

When I stepped into this role, I did so with a deep commitment to student success, equity, and collaboration. Over the past twelve months, I’ve been privileged to work alongside dedicated educators, engaged families, and passionate community partners—all united by a shared belief in the power of education to transform lives.

The efforts made by the Education Department, Administrators, Faculty, and Staff have added to our achievements and ability to maintain our standards in a competitive educational environment.

Teamwork has been our driving force, which has allowed for much success towards the fulfillment of ensuring Excellence, Equity, and Opportunity for all.

Together, we have:

• Launched the ACEA Whatsapp Channel – to date has a total of 797 followers
• Rebranded the ACEA Facebook Page to increase our social media presence and provide on-demand updates of our school’s achievements.
• Established training sessions for Guidance Counsellors, Senior Assistants, Heads of Department, and Office Staff.
• Launched Professional Development Webinars for Faculty.
• Begin discussions with The University of The Bahamas to reintroduce the Dual Enrolment Program at Bishop Michael School in Grand Bahama, with considerations for St. Anne’s School and St. John’s College in New Providence.
• Begin discussions with The Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute, to offer a technical track for students at St. Andrew’s Anglican School in Exuma.
• Restructured the Education Department by downsizing the department by two personnel. Roles were amalgamated, saving Head 6 of the Diocesan Budget one hundred and thirty-three thousand, six hundred and fifty dollars ($133,650.00).
• Amended the ACEA Guidance Handbook to include system-wide initiatives and the curriculum of the American School Counsellor Association (ASCA).
• Reduced expenditures of the ACEA Education Department for the 2024-2025 fiscal period
• Established ACEA Education Department Subcommittees – Social Media, Professional Development, Mental Health, and Community Outreach to widen our scope to positively impact our Key Performance Indicators.
• Established a School Fundraising Approval Form to hold schools more accountable for their fundraising efforts.
• Updated the Prefect Selection Policy.
• Decreased the School Fee Deficit across the system, through consistent communications with Principals and School Bursars.
• Negotiated with the Government of The Bahamas to maintain our grant-in-aid in full, as we completed the school audits.
• Developed a system-wide booklist.
• Established the Inaugural Baccalaureate Service for St. John’s College and
  St. Anne’s School.
• Established the first ACEA Student-Athlete Agreement of Participation.
• Drafted the first ACEA Confidentiality Agreement for Administrators, Heads of Department, and Year Head.
• Facilitated CPR and Basic First Aid training for one hundred (100) faculty and staff members across the system.
• Increased school enrollment gradually, specifically at St. John’s College and St. Andrew’s Anglican School.
• We increased our numbers in entrance examinations from K to 8, particularly in Grade 7. Notably, 51 out of 286 students who sat the examination were Anglicans, representing 17.8%, the highest percentage in recent years across the system.
• Increased Anglican Schools Sunday participation across the system.
• Downsized our faculty population by ten, including the removal of the guidance allowance for the upcoming school year.
• Developed a First Year Faculty Mentorship Program.
• Drafted the ACEA Faculty Awards Program, which is expected to begin in the 2025-2026 academic year.
• Established further accountability with School Board Chairs – to provide yearly reports of their stewardship to present to the ACEA Annual Conclave.
• Implemented the Internal Grading Analysis process for Faculty – an assessment tool to gauge students’ performance and faculty output.
• Restructured the Leadership of Bishop Michael Eldon School.
• Roll out of the Cashless Initiative through SunCash, with St. John’s College being the pilot school.
• Incorporated Senior Assistants in the reframing of the student disciplinary matrix.
• Implemented exit interviews for faculty members who are retiring, leaving, or not being retained.
• Provided support to faculty members pursuing academic certifications.
• Implementation of the Black Out Period for School Collection – ensuring that School Bursars are in place for critical periods.
• Increased the presence of male leadership at the Senior Administration level, from 3 out of 14 to 5 out of 14.
• Aided in the financial audits of the schools, marking a significant step in the accountability and fiscal management for the ACEA schools.
• Provided tuition assistance in the amount of one thousand dollars ($1,000.00) to fifteen (15) students across the system through private donor support – This assistance aided five (5) students from St. John’s College, five (5) students from St. Anne’s School, two (2) students from Bishop Michael Eldon School and three (3) students of St. Andrew’s Anglican School.
• Launched the Director’s Readiness Initiative (sponsored by Director Major and Mrs. Major)- this initiative provides one graduate with a five-hundred-dollar ($500) donation towards the advancement of their education as they prepare to attend a University or a Technical and Vocational Institute in the Fall. Mr. Calvin Mason, Deputy Head Boy, was named the first recipient of this yearly initiative.
• Launch of the Director’s Scholarship Initiative (sponsored by Director Major and Mrs. Major) – This initiative provides one celebrant from the system with a $1500 scholarship to continue their high school education within the Anglican system. The first recipient of this initiative was Mr. Kyan Brooks, Deputy Head Boy of St. John’s College Primary Department.

While we have made meaningful strides, we also recognize that our work is far from finished. The upcoming year will focus on deepening our commitment to equity, enhancing academic outcomes, and advancing student-centered learning to develop the whole child.

It has been a pleasure working with such a dedicated team of educators and support staff. I am thankful for the opportunity to contribute to the school community and am eager to build on this foundation in the upcoming school year.

I thank you eternally for your ongoing support of our schools.

With every good wish,

Alphonso W. Major Jr (Mr.), MSc.HRD, B.A. Psy, JP
Director of Education and Supervision
Anglican Central Education Authority