On 7^th February last, during the 60^th Anniversary celebrations of the School, the headmaster Jaime Acosta Allen received the ‘Simon Bolivar’ Award in the order of ‘Gran Maestro’ from The National Ministry of Education. This was given to him in recognition of 37 years of service to education, science, art and culture.

Mr Acosta, like his mother Mary Allen de Acosta (R.I.P), is a British subject who has dedicated his life to Colombia and the education of hundreds of students in Saint George’s School. He is a civil engineer graduated from La Universidad Santo Tomas de Aquino and has a Masters degree in Education. He joined the School in 1981 as a teacher of Geography and Information Technology (I.T) whilst his mother, the founder of the School was headmistress. He was deputy headmaster in 1986, becoming headmaster on her death in 2013.

His leadership has not only made an impact on the School but he has also influenced the policies that regulate the education system in the country, contributing to the creation of ‘la Ley 115’ of 1994. He has worked closely with the associations of schools ASOCOLDEP (1996-2002) and UNCOLI (1994-1996) of which he was president, contributing to the furthering of education.

The School has consistently achieved exceptional results in both national and international evaluations. Our headmaster is a champion of comprehensive education that encourages students not only to succeed academically but also to become leaders that can change society and have a shared responsibility for the improvement of the quality of life of those less advantaged.

For 15 years, he has supported foundations like Cigarra that cares for 200 children of families in Ciudad Bolivar providing them with a safe environment where they can be cared for and educated.

One of Mr Acosta’s major campaigns has been for the care of the planet and all living things by awakening an environmental awareness in the students. Saint George’s School is a natural reserve with a wetland of over an acre where there are over 50 species of birds and 250 varieties of plants. The nearby wetlands of ‘la Conejera’ and Salitrosa are also looked after by the students.  At the same time since 1995 the School has contributed to the preservation of a natural reserve of over 600 acres in the department of Huila.

‘We all have a duty towards our children to look after their welfare and to provide them with what is necessary so they can be successful. This includes being demanding and giving them challenges so they can develop their true potential.’ J Acosta