ISLINGTON, St Mary — With a wealth of experience in leadership, principal of Horace Clarke High School Dr Dennis Clarke has a plan to transform the school using a structured process executed in stages and in collaboration with the surrounding community.

“There’s a lot to be done at the school. I will not be able to do everything at the same time,” said the educator with more than 20 years’ experience, including a stint as vice-principal at Oracabessa High School.

He was named principal of Horace Clarke High in August, replacing Christopher Walker, who resigned about two years ago.

Clarke told the Jamaica Observer his first priority will be what he termed as the physical wellness of Horace Clarke High — an assessment of “how safe the school is and how disciplined the staff and students are”.

“Meaning, students and staff, when they step through the gate they should be in a safe space. That also includes discipline; if the school is not disciplined it is not safe. Even though they say the school is a place for learning, you won’t learn until other things are in place,” he explained.

He said his second priority will be the emotional wellness of the school. This is rooted in his view that students should be in an environment that ensures they are mentally ready for learning.

“The emotional wellness of the school and the learning environment should be supportive and conclusive and students should not be pressured into anything outside of school. They should be OK and ready to learn,” he said.

Clarke also envisions a guidance department that will be more proactive and play an active role in highlighting issues — such as bullying — that affect students at school and beyond.

His final priority is academic performance.

“The first two priorities will be focused on first, and then the third priority will fall into place,” Clarke confidently told the Observer.

“This will involve a lot of teamwork and paperwork and committees as policies can be your best friend or worst enemies. You cannot transform a school without knowing its structure,” he added.

Clarke also wants to see the community playing a much greater role in the school’s development. He is convinced, for example, that the break-in that occurred in July could have been prevented.

“If there was greater involvement of the community that would not have happened. I will be having a meeting in the community to ensure that a greater partnership is developed,” he assured.

The institution, formerly Islington High School, was renamed in honour of former government minister and Member of Parliament for St Mary Central Horace Clarke in 2015, under the Portia Simpson Miller-led Government.

Incoming principal of Horace Clarke High School Dr Dennis Clarke has a plan to transform the institution. Ingrid Henry