Bishop Martin High School
Encyclopedia
Bishop Martin High School (BMHS) is a Diocesan Roman Catholic high school
located in Orange Walk Town
, Belize
. It was established on September 2, 2002 under the auspices of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Belize, under the episcopacy of Bishop Osmond Peter Martin, at the time Bishop of Belize City and Belmopan
. When it opened with Mr. Rene Constanza as the Principal, BMHS had only about 60 students in first form. It moved to the present location on San Lorenzo Road in 2004. BMHS now has an enrollment of 260 students, and the Principal at present is Mr. Luis Pook, with Mrs. Lorelie Torres serving as Vice-Principal.
, while third and fourth formers follow different academic programs. While subjects offered at BMHS are very similar to subjects taught at other Belizean high schools, there are electives unique to BMHS. First formers take Successful Student Strategies, for example, while sophomores were introduced this year to Financial Planning and Budgeting. What makes especially fourth year unique is the presentation of a portfolio
as part of the requirements for graduation in a subject called Capstone.
Education at BMHS is also focused on Catholic tradition and the calendar includes activities connected to the Church's liturgical year
, including an emphasis on mission education.
activities, at BMHS education is rich and fulfilling.
BMHS also has a unique disciplinary system. A Head of Discipline is in overall charge of disciplinary matters; students get slips coded by colour instead of demerit
s and demerit cards.
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
located in Orange Walk Town
Orange Walk Town
Orange Walk Town is the second largest town in the nation of Belize, with a population of about 13,400 . It is the capital of the Orange Walk District...
, Belize
Belize
Belize is a constitutional monarchy and the northernmost country in Central America. Belize has a diverse society, comprising many cultures and languages. Even though Kriol and Spanish are spoken among the population, Belize is the only country in Central America where English is the official...
. It was established on September 2, 2002 under the auspices of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Belize, under the episcopacy of Bishop Osmond Peter Martin, at the time Bishop of Belize City and Belmopan
Roman Catholic Diocese of Belize City-Belmopan
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Belize City-Belmopan is a diocese of the Latin Rite of the Roman Catholic Church in North America. The diocese comprises the entirety of the former British dependency of Belize...
. When it opened with Mr. Rene Constanza as the Principal, BMHS had only about 60 students in first form. It moved to the present location on San Lorenzo Road in 2004. BMHS now has an enrollment of 260 students, and the Principal at present is Mr. Luis Pook, with Mrs. Lorelie Torres serving as Vice-Principal.
Academics
There are 260 students enrolled at BMHS. Students in first and second form follow a very similar curriculumCurriculum
See also Syllabus.In formal education, a curriculum is the set of courses, and their content, offered at a school or university. As an idea, curriculum stems from the Latin word for race course, referring to the course of deeds and experiences through which children grow to become mature adults...
, while third and fourth formers follow different academic programs. While subjects offered at BMHS are very similar to subjects taught at other Belizean high schools, there are electives unique to BMHS. First formers take Successful Student Strategies, for example, while sophomores were introduced this year to Financial Planning and Budgeting. What makes especially fourth year unique is the presentation of a portfolio
Portfolio
Portfolio literally means "a case for carrying loose papers," ....
as part of the requirements for graduation in a subject called Capstone.
Education at BMHS is also focused on Catholic tradition and the calendar includes activities connected to the Church's liturgical year
Liturgical year
The liturgical year, also known as the church year, consists of the cycle of liturgical seasons in Christian churches which determines when feast days, including celebrations of saints, are to be observed, and which portions of Scripture are to be read. Distinct liturgical colours may appear in...
, including an emphasis on mission education.
Student Life
The school has a unique way of involving parents through service hours. From participation in clubs to involvement in fundraisingFundraising
Fundraising or fund raising is the process of soliciting and gathering voluntary contributions as money or other resources, by requesting donations from individuals, businesses, charitable foundations, or governmental agencies...
activities, at BMHS education is rich and fulfilling.
BMHS also has a unique disciplinary system. A Head of Discipline is in overall charge of disciplinary matters; students get slips coded by colour instead of demerit
Demerit
Demerit may refer to:* Demerit point, in driving* Demerit good, in economics* Brownie point, in railroading...
s and demerit cards.
Past Principals of BMHS
- 2002-06 Mr. Rene Constanza
- 2006-08 Mrs. Maria Johnston
- 2008-10 Mrs. Flavia Burgos