The School
Tapion School was first established in 1967 by Mrs. Carol House, an English woman and a trained teacher who, reluctant to send her three boys away to boarding school, decided to start a school in her own residence.
The original school was situated on the cool promontory, at the entrance to the Castries harbour, which today houses the St.Lucia School of Music. Its pupils included children of friends and neighbours and enrolment increased yearly as the school became recognised.
The school continued its expansion until 1971, when it changed from being a private school to become Tapion School Ltd., with the parents as shareholders. Construction of the Annex, now the Lighthouse Theatre, was completed in 1972 to meet the growing demands of the school. In 1983 the owner of the original building served notice that he wished to re-occupy for a commercial enterprise.
There followed an unprecedented drive by parents to find a new location and build a new school. (The school’s Board) was fortunate to enter into a twenty-five years lease (with an option to renew for a further twenty-five years), with the Urban Development Corporation, for 1.51 acres of land adjacent to the old school. Work began immediately on the site, and in March 1984, after only four months, the school was able to move into its new premises.
A second phase of development was completed in 1998. It included a two-room building, linking the two existing classroom blocks. This building provided a classroom and a computer room.
It is the aim of the school to provide quality education. Classes are small and the atmosphere is cosmopolitan, embracing children from St. Lucia, the Caribbean region, and from many other parts of the world. Tapion thus offers a unique opportunity for children to broaden their horizons and to learn more about the diverse cultures represented at the school.
The school is a registered not for profit company. This means that all income earned is used to advance the objectives of the school. In addition, the school is managed by a Board of Directors selected from among the parents. This makes Tapion School a parent driven entity. The School is governed by Bye-Laws which set out the rules and procedures to be followed by the Board and members of the School.
The school’s specific Goals & Objectives are:
- to achieve high academic standards.
- to meet each child’s individual needs and to develop his/her potential to the fullest.
- to provide a safe and secure environment
- to ensure the highest professional standard of teaching.
- to offer a broad-based and balanced programme of curricular and extra curricular activities while fulfilling the Ministry of Education’s requirements.
- to promote an atmosphere of respect for self and others where clear communication, support and trust exist between children, parents, staff, principal and Board of Directors.
