Each February CSB opens its doors for a new year. Our staff arrives a few days prior for seminars and workdays. What a pleasure it is to re-connect and talk with these Ugandan men and women about education and their role in helping to shape the future of our students’ lives. Then a few days later the real fun begins as the students arrive. Over the course of an afternoon, they pour in through the gate, carrying all of their supplies in big metal footlockers and assorted suitcases. There are usually loud screams of delight as students already moved in spot their friends and rush across the soccer field to greet them. Excitement is high, laughter is infectious and the day is full of students and staff helping each other to get settled. I love this time of the year. Our students are that wonderful combination of eager nervousness. Possibilities are endless and everyone has a fresh start.
This year we are trying something new… beginning of year exams. The first week of school is spent taking two-hour exams in each subject. In theory, this is supposed to encourage our students to continue to study over the 8 week break rather than slack off. Of course, the added benefit is that most every returning student (for the first time in school history) reported on time!
While every year CSB seems to expand, 2007 is definitely one of our turning points. We have 200 students already with 80+ S1 students ready to report in 2 weeks (40 more on the waiting list!) and 30 more A-level students just after that. Amazing that for the first time CSB will be home to over 300 young people. What a privilege it is for Kevin and I to look across the field and see clusters of students just hanging out, eager for classes to begin. Unbelievable. Here we are, in this remote corner of the world, with a real school.
This year we are trying something new… beginning of year exams. The first week of school is spent taking two-hour exams in each subject. In theory, this is supposed to encourage our students to continue to study over the 8 week break rather than slack off. Of course, the added benefit is that most every returning student (for the first time in school history) reported on time!
While every year CSB seems to expand, 2007 is definitely one of our turning points. We have 200 students already with 80+ S1 students ready to report in 2 weeks (40 more on the waiting list!) and 30 more A-level students just after that. Amazing that for the first time CSB will be home to over 300 young people. What a privilege it is for Kevin and I to look across the field and see clusters of students just hanging out, eager for classes to begin. Unbelievable. Here we are, in this remote corner of the world, with a real school.
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