THE EDITOR, Sir:

Tarrant High School, located near Half-Way Tree, St Andrew, epitomises what a principal expects of his school under difficult circumstances. Scholastic brilliance is nothing new to Tarrant - a school living under the undue meagre budgetary constraints.

When I arrived at Tarrant to take up teaching duties two decades ago, people spoke all sort of things about the school and constantly ask me if I couldn't find another. Going down memory lane is always nice, but to see the fruit of the school's labour is even more exciting.

Undoubtedly, Tarrant has had serious challenges which only push us to self-actualise with the calibre of student we have at our disposal. After it was upgraded to high-school status and started getting slightly better GSAT students, it was immediately recognised with Dane Gilbert passing nine subjects in the CXC.

no ordinary feat

That was some accomplishment for a school which had the notoriety. Since then, numerous students have got nine subjects. Tarrant now proudly contribute to nation building through a sixth-form programme.

It have a dynasty which has been the umbrella for the preservation of the good conscience of those in the school environs. It's no ordinary feat to mould the minds of inner-city children who are affected in many ways by gun violence.

The school uses the little resources it has at its disposal to influence charges. If anyone should analyse our culture here at Tarrant, they will distinctly and immediately realise it is quite different from schools such as Campion and Immaculate. The school has bonded together with the correct attitude to disseminate the appropriate attributes.

It has done remarkably well in the cultivation of an impressively proud record in fulfilling the mandate of the Ministry of Education. This year, the school got six areas with 100 per cent passes and others in the 90s and 80s. Principal Albert Corcho has established a kind of ambience at the school wherein teachers, such as myself, are finding it much more comfortable in their various disciplines.

The rapport the principal creates gives the teachers space to do their jobs. I applaud him for his balance projected response to our needs. He is in a cadre of principals who were never before experienced in an inner-city environment.

I am, etc.,

Paris Taylor (Mr)

Greater Portmore

paristaylor82@hotmail.com