A Brief History…
Christ Church Foundation School (CCFS) is a Barbadian Government co-educational secondary school catering to students aged 11 to 18 years.
Set on top of Oistins Hill near the tip of the south coast, the Foundation School was founded in 1809 and is considered one of Barbados’ oldest schools.
Historically, Foundation School was originally two separate schools – The Christ Church Boys’ Foundation School and The Christ Church Girls’ Foundation School however, in pursuance of Government’s policy to make all schools co-educational, the schools were amalgamated from September 1978, resulting in a new institution called the ‘Christ Church Foundation School‘.
Admission to the School is normally based on a potential candidate’s performance in the annual Secondary Schools Entrance Examination.
About Foundation School
The large School compound consists of:
— Five Science laboratories
— Two computer laboratories
— One Business room
— Two Music rooms
— Three Art rooms
— Two Home Economics rooms
— One Electricity laboratory
— One General Studies room
— One Foreign Language room
— One Mathematics room
— One Language Arts room
— Two Technical Drawing rooms
— One Wood workshop
— One Metal workshop
— One Theatre Arts room
— One Physical Education office
— One Library
— Twenty-seven classrooms
— One Guidance office
— One Deputy Principal’s office
— One Assembly Hall
— Two Staff rooms
— An Administration block comprising the Principal’s Office and Secretary Treasurer’s Office.
Foundation School also has a Student Council which focuses on enhancing the relationship between students and teachers as they work together to develop a positive school environment for all.
There is also a school canteen, tennis courts and a basketball court, as well as seating areas landscaped into the surroundings which provide a wonderful ambience for lunch and breaks.
Did You Know?
The school hosts an annual track and field sports day, where five houses compete for the trophy:
— Skeete (Yellow House)
— Talma (Purple House)
— Wellington (Red House)
— Inniss (Blue House)
— Lynch (Green House)
The best athletes then go on to represent the school at the annual interschool sports events, where Foundation School is always a formidable force.
What’s on offer at Foundation School?
At Foundation School, students are prepared for the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate Examination (CSEC) and the Caribbean Advance Proficiency Examinations (CAPE) of the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC).
The curriculum at the School is as follows:
CSEC Subjects
— English
— Mathematics
— Information Technology
— French
— Spanish
— Mechanical Engineering (Metal Work)
— Building Technology (Wood Work)
— Building and Mechanical Drawing (Technical Drawing)
— History
— Geography
— Physics
— Chemistry
— Biology
— Integrated Science
— Electrical and Electronic Technology
— Social Studies
— Music
— Religious Studies
— Art
— Health and Family Life Education
— Principles of Business
— Principles of Accounts
— Office Administration
— Electronic Document Preparation and Management
— Food and Nutrition
— Physical Education
CAPE Subjects
— Mathematics
— English
— Geography
— Computer Science
— Management of Business
— Accounts
— Physics
— Chemistry
— Biology
— Environmental Science
— Communication Studies
–Caribbean Studies
Note: It’s not all work and no play at Foundation School – some of the extra-curricular activities available include boxing, swimming, cadets, environmental club, debating society, and the Foundation newspaper.
Foundation Achievements
At the 2008 NIFCA finals, Foundation School was well represented musically by a symphonic band, a pop band and a choir – the choir won two silver medals while the concert band won a silver and bronze, and the pop band also won bronze.
Foundation is also known to produce many well-known high achieving sons and daughters from a variety of fields such as sportsmen Barry Forde (known for cycling) and Ryan Austin (for cricket), and who can forget the soca queen Alison Hinds?!
It is one of only four secondary schools to have been attended by Barbadian Prime Ministers, namely Sir Harold St. John and Freundel Stuart.
How do I get to Foundation School?
In terms of public transport, if you’re coming from the Bridgetown area, you can take the Sam Lords Castle or Fairy Valley buses, and then walk up the hill from Oistins.
The number 10 ‘Silver Hill’ ZR Vans are also a viable option and the bus fare is only $2 BBD or $1 USD, one way.
A school bus is also available on afternoons, which takes the Speightstown route.
Need to know more?
Check out the CCFS website at http://theccfs.weebly.com/.
Telephone: Principal’s Office – (246) 428-9323
By: Brett Callaghan
