HARRISON COLLEGE QUEEN’S COLLEGE ALUMNI NETWORK (HCQCAN) FOSTERING MAITNTAINING AND SUPPORTING A LASTING RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HARRISON COLLEGE AND QUEEN’S COLLEGE AND THEIR ALUMNI IN GRATITUDE WE GIVE ACHIEVING TOGETHER 2025 FOR THE BETTERMENT OF EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
Table of Contents ABOUT US 03 WHO ARE WE AND WHY WERE WE CREATED 04 IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN PROJECTS 05 08 STEM EDUCATION 09 STEM/STEAM IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM 10 INDEX MORE ABOUT US CHALLENGES 06 07 RATIONALE FOR STEM/STEAM SUPPORT IN PREPARING STUDENTS FOR 21ST CENTURY PROGRESS OF IMPROVEMENT CAMPAIGN TO DATE PROPOSED SOLUTION 10 11
ABOUTUS HCQCAN was formed in 2020 to serve as an umbrella organization of all four alumni chapters which are registered charities located in Barbados, Canada and the USA. The Network sustains the legacy of collaboration between the two schools and our commitment to excellence in education, which has served as a foundation for the further educational and professional attainment of our graduates. It also serves to maintain the century-old legacy of educational achievement for which Barbados is known and exemplified in the legacy of our schools as educational institutions that have played a social transformational role in the history of our island. The purpose of the organization, which is in the process of being registered as a Charity in Barbados, is to undertake activities which lend themselves to joint collaboration, including major fundraising, a joint website, a joint newsletter and other publications, joint networking and awards and which continue to engage alumni in sustaining the legacy of the two schools and our commitment to excellence. 03
WHO ARE WE AND WHY WERE WE CREATED? ABOUT US HCQCAlumniNetwork At our first Grand Reunion, which was held virtually in 2021 under the patronage of Her Excellency Dame Sandra Mason, GCMG, DA, QC, then Governor General of Barbados, we held our first joint awards ceremony, entitled Night of the Stars Awards. This was an event initiated in the mid 90s by HCQCAA, USA and which the joint chapters decided to adopt as one of our major activities. The Awards Ceremony aims to both acclaim high achievement and to motivate others, especially the youth, to strive for excellence and to give back to our society. At our October 2021 event, we launched an Improvement Campaign aimed at strengthening the STEM/STEAM infrastructure at the schools. The overarching reason for launching the Campaign is the contribution that education makes to the lives of everyone. Education not only secures individual success but collectively contributes to a more reliable nation and world. Education also has the benefit of helping both students and the population to think clearly and acquaints youngsters with the surrounding environment. It encourages them to be more mindful of their strengths and flaws and teaches them to steer their focus in the right direction. It also helps students develop the resources to face and handle any situation. 04
Education also teaches students that failure is not an end, but an opportunity to learn, to pivot and try again, refusing to surrender. It fuels their determination to live in the world autonomously and face any circumstances bravely. It teaches values and delivers equality. Education also infuses moral values and frames character from an early age, helping children develop honesty, kindness, generosity, courage, freedom, equality and respect. Improvement Campaign It frames better behaviour and adds discipline. These values play an important role in standardizing dignity and equality in our nation, the region and the world by warding off gaps between social classes. Benjamin Franklin accurately stated that an investment in education returns the best interest Our improvement campaign specifically contributes to Science, Technology, and Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education at both schools and sports, and Arts at QC (STEAM). CAMPAIGN PROJECTS HCQCAlumniNetwork 05
MORE ABOUT US COVID Relief to benefit underprivileged students Donated 190 E-Learning Devices to both Schools and 5 Newer Secondary Schools: Value BDS$30,000 and BDS $8,000 each to HC and QC’s Benevolent Funds Virtual Grand Reunion October 2021 Under Patronage of H.E. Dame Sandra Mason Launched BDS$2 Million Improvement Campaign (IC) for Priority STEM/STEAMS Projects of both Schools Launched Commemorative Publication to fundraise for IC COVID Relief to benefit underprivileged students Convened 2 Night of the Stars Recognition Awards, Commemorated 290TH Anniversary of HC Held Conference on Education for the Future Held 3rd Annual Virtual Year End Uplifting Fundraising Concert Held 3rd Annual Virtual Year End Uplifting Fundraising Concert MORE ABOUT US HCQCAlumniNetwork 06
The enhancement of the Science Technology Engineering the Arts and Mathematics (STEAM) as well as sports infrastructure stands to contribute to vital areas of education and personal development. It will directly impact student learning opportunities, create a stimulating environment for growth and inspire a new generation of innovators, scientists, artists as well as athletes. HCQCAN is thus dedicated to working with the schools to enhance the STEM/STEAMS infrastructure at the schools. STEM Education contributes to critical thinking, Innovation, career opportunities, global competitiveness, and societal impact and prepares our societies for the future. In addition, the performing arts promote a complementary range of values and skills. These include oral communication, creative problem-solving, taking pride in doing things at your very best level, motivation and commitment, team and individual work, managing time, initiative, punctuality and respect for deadlines, acceptance of rules, the ability to learn quickly and correctly, respect for colleagues and authority, adaptability and flexibility, ability to work under pressure, acceptance of disappointment and ability to bounce back and a healthy self-image, a goal-oriented approach to work and life, concentration and dedication, ability to enjoy what you are committed to achieving. Sports also contribute to many of the foregoing competencies. STEM EDUCATION STEM EDUCATION HCQCAlumniNetwork 07
IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM HCQCAlumniNetwork Construct on top of existing Chemistry lab Equip a Robotics Lab and a Food Science lab Cost Estimate: BDS$1 Million STEM/STEAM IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM HARRISON COLLEGE Upgrade: Science labs Auditorium to strengthen performing arts Contribute to equipping sports pavilion constructed under support from Give Back QC Charity Complete perimeter fencing Cost Estimate: BDS$1 Million QUEEN’S COLLEGE 08
Rationale for STEM/STEAMS Support in Preparing Students for the 21st Century What is STEM/STEAMS? Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, Mathematics and Sports What does it Do? Builds skills in critical thinking and Innovation Makes Globally Competitive Students ready for new Career Opportunities that can have social impact Arts and Sports also build a complementary range of skills including: •Oral Communication •Creative Problem Solving •Achieving Excellence •Team and individual work •Time Management •Initiative •Punctuality Respect for deadlines •Acceptance of rules •Quick, and accurate Learning •Respect for Authority •Adaptability •Flexibility •Resilience - Ability to bounce back •Healthy self image •Results Orientation 09
Progress of Improvement Campaign to Date Launched Commemorative Publication and paid for Production Cost of CDN$35,000 (BDS$52,500) Held fundraising events including 3 virtual concerts Clash of Musicians , Combined awards ceremony and commemoration of HC 290TH Anniversary Contributed: BDS$12,000 towards equipping Sports Pavillion at QC Earmarked BDS$12,000 towards architectural drawings for HC Labs of which BDS$3000 was disbursed Architectural Drawings for HC Labs of which BDS$3000 disbursed Challenges PROJECTION: •If 4,000 alumni donate BDS$250 each we can reach our goal CHALLENGE: •Reaching 15,000 Alumni wherever they are •Enrolling alumni to give back •Events without corporate sponsorship to cover overhead costs lead to lower net income, as the funds raised must also cover these expenses •Slow fundraising pace leads to increased costs of works and goods PROGRESS AND CHALLENGES HCQCAlumniNetwork 10
PROPOSED SOLUTION Establish Fundraising Advisory Group to Guide and help with Major Fundraising. So far Sir Trevor Hassell and Sir George Alleyne have agreed to be part of Advisory Group •Seek Major Donations •Continue to Engage alumni through Smaller Fundraising Anne St. John QCA Cheryl Phillips HCQCAA, Toronto Barbara Trieloff Deane HCQCAA, TORONTO (Alternate) Betty Brathwaite QCA (Alternate) David Cutting HCQCAA, USA David Gittens , OHS Eric Weekes. HCQCAA, USA Grant Morris. HCQCAA, Toronto Kathy Daniel. QCA Mary Symmonds HCQCAA, USA Michelle Daniel QCA Paulavette Atkinson OHS/HC PTA Rudo Catlin OHS Shara Graham OHS Tisha Peters QC PTA Velta Denny Simmonds HCQCAA,USA HCQCANCOMMITTEEMEMBERSANDALTERNATIVES PROPOSED SOLUTION HCQCAlumniNetwork 11
Barbados: Old Harrisonian Society (OHS) Queen’s College Association (QCA) USA Harrison College Queen’s College Alumni Association, USA (HCQCAA, USA) The PTAs of both schools are also represented on our Committee. Canada Harrison College Queen’s College Alumni Association, Toronto (HCQCAA, Toronto), ASSOCIATIONS HCQCAlumniNetwork 12