Arrangements for the 2021-2022 Academic Year

Dear Parents/Guardians,

On behalf of the Munro College Board of Governors, Administrators and Staff, I wish for you all a safe and restful summer. The 2020-2021 Academic Year presented us with a series of challenges that tested our resilience and ability to adapt to a changing academic landscape. However, these challenges were juxtaposed against opportunities for personal growth and development. As you are aware, on Friday, July 2, 2021 our lower school students proceeded on their eagerly anticipated summer holidays, thus bringing an end to a highly eventful and challenging year. Nevertheless, school continued in earnest for our senior students as the disruptions created by the pandemic resulted in an extended school term (due to the protracted CXC examination schedule). With these experiences in mind, I wish to extend heartfelt gratitude to you for your strident support throughout the year.

As we bring the curtains down on the 2020-2021 Academic Year, we are cautiously optimistic of the opportunities that await us for the new school year. I wish to take this opportunity to indicate that both the Ministry of Education and the school’s administrators have been anticipating a return to face-to-face classes for September 2021. However, the recent announcement by the      Prime Minister, Honourable Andrew Holness, on Monday, August 10, 2021 indicated that the projected date for the resumption of face-to-face instruction has been pushed back to the second week in September. This is as a result of the recent surge in new COVID-19 cases locally. Consequently, please see below for the revised reopening plan. (Further details will be provided in subsequent newsletters.):

Online Registration and Orientation dates are as follows:

1. Monday, August 30, 2021 for 1^st Form Students ONLY

2. Tuesday, August 31, 2021 for 2^nd Form Students ONLY

3. Wednesday, September 01, 2021 for 3^rd Form Students ONLY

4. Thursday, September 02, 2021 for 4^th Form Students ONLY

5. Friday, September 03, 2021 5^th Form Students ONLY

6. Monday, October 11, 2021 6^th Form Students ONLY

We eagerly look forward to the resumption of face-to-face classes once approval has been granted by the government; and, we also anticipate the resumption of boarding for the new school year. If there are any changes, parents will be advised accordingly. Parents interested in boarding are asked to contact Mrs. Eugenia Collins, Boarding Manager, to query the Boarding Fee and to pre-register for the upcoming academic year. Kindly email boarding.department@munrocollege.edu.jm to do so.

Kindly note that all students are required to attend the registration and orientation sessions as indicated in the schedule above. These activities are mandatory as critical information and training with respect to the COVID-19 Protocols will be shared (as required by the Ministry of Health & Wellness and the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information). Note also that students are required to be in uniform and properly groomed (in keeping with the school rules as detailed in the school handbook) for registration and orientation sessions. All students are also required to have a digital device (laptop or tablet) to facilitate learning.

ONLINE CLASSES will commence on Monday, September 6, 2021 for ALL 1^st to 5^th Form Students.

We appreciate the effort of all our parents who made the sacrifice to ensure the school’s ability to meet the demands of its operational expenses during the previous academic year, by making the requisite financial contributions. Kindly note the fees/expenses/contributions for the upcoming academic year (excluding boarding):

Forms 1^st – 5^th :Two (2) instalments amounting to $25,350.00 due on or before August 27, 2021

(Christmas Term) and $14,250.00 due on or before January 3, 2022 (Easter Term).

Forms L6 and U6 : Two (2) instalments amounting to $48,850.00 due on or before September 24, 2021

(Christmas Term) and $37,750.00 due on or before January 3, 2022 (Easter Term).

For your added convenience, we have partnered with Sagicor Bank and LASCO Financial Services to collect fees on behalf of the school, so as to ensure the provision of real-time statement updates through our RENWEB powered HonourPay system. (Please note that the transaction using the Sagicor platform is only facilitated online, and not in-branch.) Payments may therefore be made electronically via Sagicor Bank or by visiting any selected LASCO Financial bill payment outlet or affiliated agents. (Please take along a printed copy of your invoice; and, kindly note that once either of these two payment methods is used, there is no need to submit proof of payment to the school).

You may also utilise our conventional payment method; however, note that proof of payment must be emailed to Ms. Orlean Powell (from the Bursar’s Office), at orlean.powell@munrocollege.edu.jm

Bank: NCB

Branch: Santa Cruz

Account Name: Munro and Dickenson Trust

Account Number:  891008449

I urge parents facing critical financial challenges to contact the administration (in writing) prior to the reopening of school and to make use of the scholarships and grants available. We are committed to working with our stakeholders to provide some relief for those who are most vulnerable.

Let us continue to take pride as a school family in what we have been able to accomplish in spite of the challenges that we encountered over the past year. We thank you for your continued support and remain committed to helping both you and your son during these difficult times.

Kind regards,

Mark Smith

Headmaster