As the impasse between teachers, represented by the Barbados Secondary Teachers’ Union (BSTU), and principal Jeff Broomes continues at The Alexandra School, concern has been mounting about the impact on students.

That’s one of the main issues which the National Council of Parent-Teacher Associations (NCPTA) says it’s focusing on.

Wearing the hats of NCPTA president for the past two years and former Alexandra student, teacher Rhonda Blackman spoke to Associate Editor Dawne Parris about what should have happened, is happening, and needs to happen for students at the St Peter institution.

You are looking on at this Alexandra dispute from several vantage points – as president of the NCPTA, a former Alexandra student, and a teacher. Tell me about your experience as a student, first of all.

Blackman: I was at The Alexandra School under principal Ms Ward – a strong leader, a no-nonsense lady – who made sure that we upheld ourselves to the highest standard because we had a reputation to maintain. She always saw Alexandra as “the school”.

So we claimed the school, we owned the school and we behaved in the manner that was expected of us. After Ms Ward left, Mrs Ada Straughan became the principal and she continued with that kind of leadership. She was strict, she was firm, but she was loving and she holds a special place in my heart because she was approachable, yet no-nonsense.

In terms of teacher-student relations, we had good teacher-student relationships. Ms McCollin, who is deceased now, had a very special place in my heart, along with Mr Blenman, the integrated science teacher.