Education St. Maarten Welcomes French Department of Education Delegation 

On Wednesday, December 3,2025 the Foundation Catholic Education St. Maarten (SKOS) had the honor of welcoming a delegation from the French Side Department of Education, marking another important step in strengthening cross-border educational collaboration on the island. 

The visiting delegation included: 

Mr. Harry Christophe: Deputy Director of  Saint-Barthélemy and Saint-Martin; 

Ms. Fanny Giausseran: School District Inspector of Saint-Barthélemy and Saint-Martin; 

Ms. Yannick Delanay: School Manager of l’école élémentaire Hervé Williams; 

Mr. André Botino: School Manager of l’école primaire Émile Choisy; 

Mr. Andy Armongon: Advisor of Deputy Director of Saint-Barthélemy and Saint-Martin; 

Ms. Evelyne Fleming: Advisor of Deputy Director of Saint-Barthélemy and Saint-Martin. 

Representing the Foundation Catholic Education St. Maarten were: 

Mrs. Lilia Aventurin-Hodge: Executive Director 

Mrs. Jacqueline Greene: Superintendent of Schools 

Mrs. Gianne Wilson-De Weever: Curriculum Developer 

Mr. Malcolm Davis: Innovation Coordinator 

Ms. Isa Raaijmakers: Intern Researcher 

This visit followed an earlier exchange in March 2025, when Foundation Catholic Education and visiting school managers from the Netherlands paid a courtesy visit to the French Side. During that visit, both parties engaged in meaningful dialogue about their respective education systems and toured two primary schools. In keeping the dialogue active, SKOS extended an invitation for the French delegation to visit schools on the Dutch Side. 

During their visit, the delegation toured five schools: St. Joseph School, Sister Magda Primary School, Sr. Borgia Elementary School, and St. Dominic High School. 

At St. Joseph School, the delegation explored the school’s Learning Factory, recently highlighted during the Open House. Students proudly guided the visitors through the school garden, STEAM room, and a mini podcast demonstration. An accompanying exhibition showcased student projects on the Seven Wonders of the World, environmental sustainability, key landmarks of St. Maarten, and global labor rights. The visit concluded with lively dance performances by students from Groups 1–2 and Group 6. 

 At Sister Magda Primary School, Assistant School Manager Ms. Jodwine Hodge, together with staff and students, welcomed the delegation with a heartfelt rendition of Amazing Love, Amazing Grace. Ms. Hodge shared current school initiatives, after which the delegation toured classrooms and viewed Open House displays. Special interest was shown by Vice-Rector Mr. Harry Christophe in the school’s SMART Friday initiative, which promotes arts, culture, and the hydroponic garden program and the staff participation in the CTR21 Research project. 

At St. Dominic High School, the delegation received a formal welcome and was presented with the school’s 2025–2029 Strategic Plan by Executive Director Mrs. Lilia Aventurin Hodge. Ms. Marie Richardson, Liaison Officer, provided an overview of the school’s history and academic programs. This was followed by a presentation from Mrs. Giselle Reijna, Career Guidance Counselor and IB Coordinator, who outlined how students are supported in preparing for tertiary education. IB Year 2 students also presented projects on environmental sustainability and expressed interest in future collaboration with students on the French Side. The visit concluded with a campus tour, light lunch, and a reflective discussion on key observations and opportunities for partnership. 

The final stop was Sr. Borgia Elementary School, where the delegation gained insight into the school’s instructional approach and after-school program. School Manager Ms. Edmaira Jacobs explained the school’s use of master teachers for core subjects -English, Mathematics, Social Studies, and Science – an instructional model designed to enhance teaching quality and deepen subject mastery. 

 During a feedback session held over lunch, the French delegation highlighted several strengths observed across the schools: 

– Strong student presentation skills at both primary and secondary levels. 

– Warm, welcoming school environments with high levels of engagement. 

– Notable parental involvement, particularly at St. Joseph School’s Learning Factory. 

– Effective integration of technology into teaching and learning. 

– Clear visibility and lived practice of SKOS values across campuses. 

– Full staff participation at Sister Magda School in the CTR-21 project, emphasizing research-based approaches to classroom and schoolwide challenges. 

– Calm and positive school climates are supported by investments in Positive Behavior Support (PBS) and Social-Emotional Learning programs. 

Based on visits to both sides of the island, several opportunities for collaboration were identified. These include joint professional development on the history of St. Maarten for newly hired staff under the theme “One Island, One History,” collaborative training in educational research practices, expansion of chess programs from early childhood through high school with interscholastic competitions, cross-border student opportunities, joint initiatives to address bullying, and exchange programs for school managers and teachers. 

Both parties agreed to maintain ongoing dialogue to further refine and implement these collaborative initiatives. As a first joint venture, SKOS will participate in the French Side’s annual end-of-year project, the Festival Langues, Arts et Cultures, scheduled to take place from Monday, April 27 to Sunday, May 10, 2026, further strengthening educational ties between both sides of the island.