Donation boosts Mackenzie High School clothing and textiles move

Headmaster of the Mackenzie High School (MHS) Gary Roberts took a leap of faith when he reintroduced Clothing and Textiles under the Home Economics Department but things worked in his favour.

“All it took was one phone call and a few emails and today we have these things to truly reintroduce the Clothing and Textiles subject,” Roberts said, adding that it has been approximately 30 years that the subject was not done at the senior Linden Secondary School.

Roberts made the statement at a simple presentation ceremony in the school’s auditorium yesterday as members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints donated ten sewing machines (two multi and eight straight stitches respectively), two irons and ironing boards and a quantity of sewing kits.

Home Economics teachers of Mackenzie High School (right) accept an iron as part of the donation while members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, teachers and students of the school look on.

The acquisition of the machines and accessories will pay a pivotal role in the full extension of the Home Economics Department of the school come September. According to Roberts, Clothing and Textiles will be offered as a subject in fourth form upwards along with Food and Nutrition and Home Economics. In the first to third forms, it will be done as part of the Home Economics and Management programme.

Meanwhile, as part of the school curriculum expansion drive, the construction of a pen is in progress to allow for the rearing of no less than 600 meat birds (chickens) for which there is a ready market.

The Mackenzie High School has been maintaining its position as the most senior secondary school in Region 10 for decades in the face of many challenges it has been exposed to. Roberts took up the position as head teacher after Cheryl McDonald retired some time last year.