KimAra

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Emac 10 years, 6 months ago on ‘School did not protect my kids from racial slurs’

‘School did not protect my kids from racial slurs’

I am writing in response to bahamian242 postings and others who have lambasted the school’s administration without first investigating the circumstances or without even acquiring any knowledge about the school’s policies or history.

Well, interestingly enough, I was one of the first black teachers at Tambearly, when the school opened its doors sometime around 1983, through Queen Street. I taught at this school for about 10 years. Even today I am still considered to be a part of the Tambearly family.

Let me state emphatically that I have never seen or heard anything even resembling racism throughout my tenure at this school, or even during my recent visits. I know the principal on a personal level, and again I can attest to the fact that she is colour blind. She strongly believes in diversification. This is quite evident when students showcase their works and talents during the end of school productions. Nevertheless, the school’s administration is very stringent with whom it hires. The school has a very high standard and they try to maintain this standard at all cost. So teachers who do not meet the standards of the school, whether black or white, Bahamian or foreign, are simply not hired. You cannot expect for the principal to hire teachers solely based on the applicants being Bahamian or black.

As a matter of interest, Tambearly was one of the first private schools to fully embrace Bahamian culture through music, art and theatre. This has allowed foreign students and parents to learn about our culture by speaking the dialect, learning dances like the quadrille or eating native dishes. These shows have culminated into the formation of the school’s theatre program that has helped instill discipline, cultural appreciation and good posture in all students, of all origins. I have had the opportunity to meet with many former students of Tambearly who came from all walks of life. They always mention how a large part of their success can be attributed to the time they spent at Tambearly School.

While I do not know the details of what went on with this irate parent and the principal, based on what I have read so far, I believe there must have been some kind misunderstanding. This principal always listens to everyone’s concerns and always tries to resolve in a timely manner.