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Good Day Parents, Guardians and Students,
It is with great optimism and enthusiasm that I welcome you to the 2024-2025 academic school year.
It is our hope that our students have enjoyed a wonderful summer break. It is also our hope that they are rejuvenated, recharged and refocused for greatness. It is hard to believe that we are only a few days away from continuing to make a difference in the lives of young people, our beloved students.
It remains an honour and privilege to serve as the Principal of The Berkeley Institute. I am so delighted that you are part of our amazing school community.
As we gear up to embark on the journey ahead, we do so with heavy hearts, carrying the profound loss of two of our beloved students, Razi Garland and Amon Robinson (Class of 2023). The pain is even more intense for our colleague, Mrs. Renee Riley, as she mourns the loss of her dear son, Razi. We also stand in solidarity with Kumani Jackson (Class of 2024), who is bravely fighting in the hospital following the tragic accident that claimed the lives of her mother and grandmother. These losses, including personal challenges experienced by many members of our school community have touched us deeply, and we will continue to hold these families in our thoughts and prayers.
In the face of such heartache, it is natural to feel sadness and to be overwhelmed at times, but I am reminded of the resilience that defines us as a Berkeley family. We have always come together in times of difficulty, supporting one another with compassion, strength, and unwavering commitment to our students and each other. As such, we have a special first few days planned for all students to honour and embrace these extraordinary circumstances.
FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL
On Tuesday, September 10, 2024 students are expected to attend school with the following expectations in mind:
• Dress Code: Full Summer School Uniform. Additionally, students are reminded of our school rules, in particular, no hair dyed, no lashes, no acrylic nails, no nose rings or any other non-uniform piercings, and their student identification is a must! Incoming S1 and transfer students will receive their student identification when they report to campus to collect their supplies on Monday, September 9, 2024 between 8:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. At this time, we will distribute their ties, crests, year-level t-shirts, P.E. kits and scientific calculators, which just arrived!
 
• Devices: All students must report with a device for learning. As a reminder, an acceptable device should be a laptop or tablet that allows students to be able to do the following:
¤ access online platforms
¤ access Microsoft Word and PowerPoint to complete assignments
¤ use a keyboard to type assignments
¤ a cellphone is not allowed
• Meet Your Advisor: Be prepared to meet/reunite with your in-school advocate! Your Advisor will support your academic and social well-being at school. Students will receive hard copies of their school schedules on Tuesday, September 10, 2024.
• Workshops: Be prepared to participate in a host of student workshops. Click here Back to School Student Orientation Day the schedule!
• LUNCH: Our School Cafeteria will be OPEN daily for students to purchase lunch from Tuesday, September 10th onwards; however, packed lunches are also encouraged. Please note that the option to purchase Breakfast will also be available. Breakfast is served from 8:00 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. Please click here Master School Menu September 2024 the September 2024 Menu! We will be offering the items listed in the menu as the special of the day, but will also have readily available other quick items on sale.
We anticipate having parents, staff and alumni clapping in students as they return to school on Tuesday, September 10, 2024 between 8:15 a.m. and 8:45 a.m. If you are available, please report to the front of the school on Tuesday during the aforementioned times. Thank you in advance for assisting us with this initiative!
On Wednesday, September 11, 2024 students are expected to attend school with the following expectations in mind:
• Dress Code: Berkeley P.E. attire, as we will be participating in a school-wide 3K Walk and a ‘Healing Circle’ from 8:45 a.m. until 11:00 a.m.
• Afternoon Session: All students will follow their schedule and report to their classes to meet their teachers under amended timings for the afternoon.
As you are aware, we will continue to facilitate our Signature Learning Programmes (Health & Social Care and Financial & Insurance Services) with our third cohort of S1 students (Class of 2028), while balancing our current students, including transfer students and their programming needs. We look forward to continuing to work with you, our parents/guardians and our students in the coming days.
The Deputy Principals and I, including our Support Staff, Facilities and ISD teams have worked diligently over the summer to ensure a seamless opening of school. We look forward to seeing you on campus soon!
IMPORTANT DETAILS:
Please note the following Berkeley Institute school buses to and from school:
Morning School Bus Runs
Departure Time Route Departure Point Destination # of Buses
7:15am 11 St. David's Berkeley Institute 1
7:35am 11 St. David's Berkeley Institute 1
7:35am 11 St. George Berkeley Institute 2
7:20am 7 Dockyard Berkeley Institute 2
7:35am 8c Dockyard Berkeley Institute 2
Afternoon School Bus Runs
Departure Time Route Departure Point Destination # of Buses
3:37pm 11 Berkeley Institute St. David's 1
3:37pm 11 Berkeley Institute St. George 1
3:37pm 7 Berkeley Institute Dockyard 2
3:37pm 8 Berkeley Institute Dockyard 2
1st WEEK SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE
Tuesday, September 10, 2024- Students will participate in a series of Workshops on the first day of school. Full school uniform required!
Wednesday, September 11, 2024- Students will participate in a 3K Walk and Healing Circle and attend classes in the afternoon. Berkeley P.E. attire required! (We will follow a MONDAY bell schedule to allow students to meet/greet all of their teachers)
Thursday, September 12, 2024 is expected to be the first official day of classes/instruction. We will follow a MONDAY bell schedule to allow students to participate in all of their classes.
Friday, September 13, 2024 will be a normal FRIDAY school schedule. We will host a FREE Grub Day for all students who obtained grades A* through C on their IGCSE Examinations. Grades are in! Participating students will be notified.
Monday, September 16, 2024 will be a normal MONDAY school schedule and all subsequent school days will follow the regular schedule.
We look forward to welcoming our students back on campus on Tuesday, September 10, 2024.
Please feel free to send me a return email if you have any clarifying questions or concerns.
Parents and Guardians, we look forward to seeing you at school on Tuesday, September 10, 2024 (8:15 a.m. to 8:45 a.m.) if you are able to attend to help us welcome back our students!!!
Have a wonderful weekend ahead!
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