The Ministry of Education and Department of Education Services is pleased to announce that Ms. Patricia Forbes has been appointed as the new Deputy Principal of John Gray High School (JGHS) for the 2015-2016 calendar year.

Ms. Patricia Forbes began her teaching career at John Gray High School in 1987. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Education from the University of South Florida, USA, a Post Graduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) from the University of Wolverhampton, UK and a Master’s degree in Educational Management from the University of Leicester, UK.

During her tenure at John Gray High School Ms. Forbes has held middle and senior management responsibilities. These include: Sports Coordinator for Marlin Academy, Subject Leader for the Business Studies Department, Associate Teaching & Learning Coordinator for Wahoo Academy, Teaching & Learning Coordinator and Acting Deputy Principal for Tarpon Academy. In addition to pursuing educational advancement in completing a post graduate degree, Ms. Forbes availed herself of internal professional development opportunities which included shadowing other leaders. This provided invaluable hands on development and allowed her to hone her leadership skills.

Ms. Forbes has participated in marking CXC exams, attended CXC workshops in Jamaica and GCSE standardization exercises in the UK. She has also taken part in continued professional development in Restorative Practices, Assessment for Learning, Student Information Management Systems (SIMS) and Special Educational Needs (SEN).

Ms. Forbes is active in a variety of civic and cultural organizations including: JGHS Thatch Club and Cayman National Cultural Foundation (CNCF). Outside her professional interests she enjoys helping out at her local church in East End and Sunday School. She is also one of the advisors for the Business Club on school campus which is affiliated with Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA).

An important part of her life is her daughter who is currently studying at Cornell University, an Ivy League university in New York. Ms. Forbes is passionate about the education system in the Cayman Islands and holds her daughter’s success in her educational pursuits to date, as only being possible because of the opportunities and instruction she received as she studied in the Cayman Islands.

Commenting on her appointment, Acting Chief Education Officer Ms. Lyneth Monteith said, “Knowing Ms. Forbes for a number of years with her strong work ethic and leadership skills, I am delighted that she has been confirmed as the Deputy Principal of John Gray. I wish her all the best and look forward to working with her as we, not only continue to strive towards improvements at John Gray, but towards improvements across the entire Government School System.”

Acting Chief Officer in the Ministry of Education Mr. Christen Suckoo offered his congratulations saying, “I would like to congratulate Ms. Forbes on achieving her new position at John Gray. Ensuring that our Caymanian educators continue to develop their skills and obtain opportunities, including those for advancement, is very important not only to me but to the work of the Ministry of Education.”

Photo Caption:

Acting Chief Officer Mr. Christen Suckoo, newly appointed JGHS Deputy Principal Ms. Patricia Forbes and Acting Chief Education Officer Ms. Lyneth Monteith.