STATHS provides academic support for footballers

Educators at St Andrew Technical High School (STATHS) are working to maintain a healthy balance between academics and sports performance.

Glenroy Williams, the institution's grade 11 coordinator, believes that talent on the pitch can be translated into performance in academics. He disclosed that an academic-support team has been established to help the students to balance school and sports life.

"Your grades have to be up, you can't just be good at the sports, so we are now focusing on them to ensure that they do well," Williams said.

He made the comment as he accepted back-to-school supplies on behalf of the school from local remittance company JN Money during a handover ceremony at the institution recently. JN Money, the largest Caribbean-owned remittance brand, provided the supplies through a partnership with one of its money transfer agents, The Service Pharm.

STATHS has performed consistently well in schoolboy football competitions over the years. They have won the Manning Cup once, and were runners-up last year. Williams said that while every effort is being made to ensure the school continues its strong tradition in the competition, educators are pulling out all the stops to ensure strong performance in academics.

In the meantime, Kashka Jones, managing director of The Service Pharm, pointed out that the donated supplies will go a far way in helping to offset some of the back-to-school expenses.

"Our students are from communities like Greenwich Town, Tivoli Gardens, Denham Town, Delacree Pen, and many of the residents in those areas can hardly make ends meet and afford certain basic necessities," said Jones, who also manages the STATHS football team.

"We know how expensive back-to-school expenses can be, and I am very happy to have JN Money onboard to assist our footballers with much-needed supplies for school," he added.

Sasha-Kaye McCalla, marketing specialist at JN Money, told the footballers that it is important for them to display talent, not only on the field, but to also excel academically.

"The management team ensures that you have the extra support and tutoring so that you are not just talented in playing football, but also develop the academic aspect of your life, which is important; it's key," she said.

"A lot of students don't have this opportunity, so I implore you to make the most of it. You come here and we know you love football, but academics is also important; so ensure that everything you learn, you grow from it because you will become better adults in the future," McCalla added.