Français
Holding a small metal key, a teacher at the Gustavia school complex is trying to adjust the leg of a desk so it’s the right height for a first-grade student. With the help of two of her colleagues, she jokes: “That’s part of being a teacher, too! ” With just a few days to go before the start of the school year, staff at every school on the island—the Gustavia School Complex, Sainte-Marie de Colombier and Saint-Joseph de Lorient elementary schools, and Mireille Choisy Middle School—are hard at work preparing to welcome students under the best possible conditions. And according to the three school principals and the middle school principal, the start of the school year is approaching with much greater peace of mind than last year.
Anticipation in Gustavia
Nearly 1,130 students—elementary and middle school—are expected to return during the various phases of the back-to-school week next week. At the Gustavia School District, just over 370 children will be returning to school. “We have a teacher in every classroom,” says Principal Agnès Combin happily. Of the twenty teachers, three are new. During summer break, the Collectivité carried out renovations: water fountains were installed, the elementary school’s floor plans were updated, the annex now has an alarm system and new waterproofing, and windows were replaced in several classrooms, both at the elementary school and at the Grands Galets preschool (Shell Beach). “The team is looking forward to seeing the students again,” smiles the principal, who mentions the two secretaries, Cindy Bolloré and Naïma Bagea, as well as the nine Atsem (specialized local government staff for preschool) and the two early childhood education CAP interns.
Changes in Colombier
In Sainte-Marie de Colombier, Principal Laurence Rebatel announces some changes among the teaching staff, with departures and new arrivals, and a reduction from four to three AESH (Support Specialists for Students with Disabilities) “because we have fewer needs.” Just over 200 students are expected. The first-grade class will be split into two sections, while the gardening project and its workshops will be relaunched this year. “All the tables and benches in the cafeteria have been replaced by the local government,” the principal notes. “This was important for the students’ comfort and safety.” As a reminder, last year, the air conditioning system was connected to the school’s solar panels.
New Accessibility Features in Lorient
In Lorient, 204 children will be filling the Saint-Joseph playground next week. “All the teachers are here; we have two new AESH support staff members and a supervisor for the after-school care program,” explains the principal, Géraldine Berry. Renovations were carried out during the break, including the restoration of the facade facing the Ajoe plateau and the replacement of windows, while accessibility features were improved with a new access ramp and dedicated restrooms.
All staff assigned to the middle school
Finally, at Mireille Choisy Middle School, Principal David Desiage exudes the same calm confidence as his elementary school colleagues. Staff assignments have been finalized and contracts signed. The school is set to welcome 353 students (169 girls and 184 boys). It employs 40 people, including 26 teachers (one of whom works in the library) and 5 teaching assistants (three from the National Education System and two from the local government).
Teachers are scheduled to return to work this Monday, August 31. The school year for students will begin the following day.
-----------------------------------------------
Sale of Middle School T-Shirts
Mireille Choisy Middle School informs families that a new shipment of T-shirts is pending delivery, along with information regarding the sales procedures organized by the Socio-Educational Center (FSE).
Until the T-shirts arrive, students who already have their middle school T-shirt may wear it to school.
Students who do not yet have one are temporarily permitted to wear a plain T-shirt—without a logo or inscription—until the new shipment arrives.
The middle school thanks you for your understanding and cooperation.
-------------------------------------------------
Back-to-School Schedule
Saint-Joseph School in Lorient
Tuesday, September 1:
8:00 a.m.: First day of school for elementary students (grades 1–5)
8:30 a.m.: First day of school for preschool classes:
- Grande Section: Group 1 (last names A through D) – full day.
Parents are welcome from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
- Moyenne Section: Group 1 (last names A through G) – full day.
Parents may drop off children from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
- Petite Section: Group 1 (last names B through L) – classes until 11:20 a.m., no lunch and no afternoon classes. Parents may drop off children from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
Thursday, September 3:
Elementary School: Regular school day.
Preschool classes:
- Senior Kindergarten: Group 2 (last names E through S) –
Full day.
Parents may drop off children from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
- Middle Class: Group 2 (last names H through V) – full day.
Parent drop-off from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
- Petite Section: Group 2 (last names from M to W) – classes until 11:20 a.m., no lunch service and no classes in the afternoon. Parents may drop off children from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
Friday, September 4:
Elementary School: Normal school day.
Preschool classes:
- Senior Kindergarten: full class, normal school day.
- Middle Section: full class, normal school day.
- Petite Section: Full class until 12:00 p.m., with lunch in the cafeteria; no classes in the afternoon.
Monday, September 7:
Petite Section: Full class, normal schedule.
Sainte-Marie School in Colombier
Tuesday, September 1:
8:00 a.m.: CM2 and CM1
8:30 a.m.: CE2 and CE1
9:00 a.m.: CP Colibris and CP Sucriers
9:30 a.m.: Senior Kindergarten
10:00 a.m.: Middle Kindergarten
Thursday, September 3:
7:50 a.m.: All students from Middle Preschool through 5th grade.
8:00 a.m.: Youngest Kindergarten Class (up to and including Gréaux Ferreira M...). These students will not return to class until Monday, September 7
Friday, September 4:
8:00 a.m.: The second half of the Junior Kindergarten class (starting with Gréaux Tinelli A. …..)
Monday, September 7:
All students from Petite Section at 7:50 a.m.
Gustavia School District
The schedule for the phased start of the school year at the Gustavia School Complex is available by scanning the QR code shown here.
Mireille Choisy Middle School in Gustavia
Tuesday, September 1:
8:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m.: Welcome for 6th-grade students
8:15–8:45 a.m.: Parent-teacher meeting
10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.: Welcome for 5th-grade students
10:00 a.m.–10:30 a.m.: Meeting with parents
1:30 p.m.–3:30 p.m.: Orientation for 8th-grade students
1:30–2:00 p.m.: Meeting with parents
2:30–4:30 p.m.: Orientation for 9th- and 10th-grade students
2:30–3:00 p.m.: Meeting with parents
No school transportation - No lunch service
Wednesday, September 2:
First day of classes for 6th and 5th-grade classes, according to the schedule distributed on Tuesday, September 1.
This half-day is dedicated to 6th graders, accompanied by 5th graders (orientation and introduction to middle school).
Thursday, September 3:
Classes for all grades according to their respective schedules.
