Hodder Education Presents Textbooks to Ministry of Education

Hodder Education donated two thousand sixty (2,060) copies of the “Preserving Our Heritage” textbook to the Ministry of Education, on November 10th, 2019. The textbook is a resource used in upper primary Language Arts classes within both the public and private sector. It was spearheaded by the Writing Unit in the Ministry of Education. On hand for the presentation were

Permanent Secretary Lorraine Armbrister, Director of Education Marcellus Taylor, Deputy Director of Education Ms. Sharon Poitier, Senior Education Officer Vanria Jack, Hodder Education Senior Publisher Lis Burch, and Hodder Education Bahamas Representative Clare Symonette.

Calender of Events

Future Teachers of The Bahamas 2019 Installation Ceremony

MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

Twenty-six new cadets were encouraged to “keep pushing forward” during the Future Teachers of The Bahamas 2019 Installation Ceremony at Government House on October 22, 2019. Assistant Director of Education, Keyshann Bastian in a spirited address told the new teacher cadets that although the challenges that may come with their training and career might be overwhelming, depending on God will bring them through victoriously. Under the theme, “Committed to Excellence in Bahamian Education”, the cadets were officially welcomed into the three-year programme which is designed to assist in preparing future teachers to meet the demands of the profession.

A comprehensive look at the meaning of each BGCSE and BJC grade.

Ministry of Education schools in the Western District of New Providence are excited to jump on board the Ministry’s School Supply Hurricane Relief Drive. Mrs. Janice Moss, District Superintendent for the Western District, said her team of principals have already started gathering school supplies and food items, to assist those who were displaced, in the wake of Hurricane Dorian. Mrs. Moss said her District was pleased to be able to tangibly assist those whose lives were devastated due to the storm. She said even though her office had already collected a large quantity of supplies, more of her schools are expected to be donating items to the drive.

Western District Supports the Ministry's School Supplies Drive

Inaugural RBC Race for the Kids in The Bahamas

The inaugural RBC Race for the Kids in The Bahamas 2020 was officially launched today at the Bahamas Technical and Vocational Institute (BTVI) in New Providence. Proceeds from the race will be directly invested into three main areas including the improvement of BTVI’s “Learning Lab”, to support the expansion of the school’s STAR early intervention programme for at risk first year students, and assist with the rebuilding of BTVI’s Freeport and Abaco satellite campuses which were adversely impacted by Hurricane Dorian. RBC Bahamas now joins numerous nations including Canada, the US, Europe, Asia, Australia and a number of Caribbean countries which have benefitted from the initiative since its inception in New York City in 2008. RBC Managing Director and Head of Personal Banking in The Bahamas, Ms. LaSonya Missick shared her excitement for the launch of the series of charitable runs. Speaking on behalf of Education Minister Jeffrey Lloyd, Undersecretary Ms. Serethea Clarke affirmed the Ministry’s support for the initiative, and reiterated the significance of enhancing technical and vocational training in The Bahamas. The Bahamas Edition of RBC Race for Kids is set to take place January 19, 2020.

Young Teachers: The Future of The Profession

In recognition of World Teacher’s Day, the Ministry of Education hosted a forum on the topic “Young Teachers: The Future of The Profession,” at the Sybil Blyden Center on Tuesday October 29, 2019.

Participants included: teacher cadets: Ms. Alethia Hart and Mr. Dre Knowles; novice teachers: Ms. Jerez Rolle and Mr. John Sawyer; along with veteran teachers: Ms. Geta Williams, Mr. Kent Lightbourne and the Ministry’s Teacher of the Year - Mrs. Waynette Bethel Hanna.

The panelists discussed various issues which are currently being debated within the education sector, such as professional development, classroom management, recruitment and the mentoring of newly appointed instructional leaders.

Woodcock Primary School Celebrates Universal Children's Day

The entire week of November 18th – 22nd 2019, is being observed as “Children’s Week” at Woodcock Primary School. Teachers, parents and students alike take time out of each day this week to highlight the various character traits that our children are displaying to make the world a better place one day at a time. We also emphasized the importance of our community partners in being a part of the “village that raises a child”.
In this effort, November 20th 2019, is recognized as Universal Children’s Day under the theme: “Children Today, Our Keepers of Tomorrow”. Woodcock Primary School partnered up with JDAB (Jamaica Diaspora Association Bahamas) under the leadership of Mr. Rohan Kerr and members of the organization to provide complimentary breakfast for our children, parents and staff members. It is our humble prayer that partnerships like these and many others that uplift and build our students to be our keepers of tomorrow continue along this path.
Included in this report are photos that highlight the festivities that took place at Woodcock Primary School’s Universal Children’s Day Celebrations.

Safety & Disaster Risk Reduction Unit (SDRRU) hosts Training Seminar

The Ministry of Education Safety & Disaster Risk Reduction Unit (SDRRU) has completed yet another training segment. The recent target group was newly appointed and New Providence posted senior masters and mistresses. This enthusiastic, energetic cohort of administrators successfully completed training in Workplace Safety (CPR, First Aid, and AED). The session was held at the Mabel Walker Institute on Thursday, November 14th 2019. Facilitators Philip Johnson and Daisry Higgs were pleased with the interest displayed by the participants. Congratulations to all participants! ‘Safety First’.

UNESCO Global Citizenship Education Workshop

Minister of Education Jeffrey Lloyd officially opened a one day UNESCO workshop which brought together UNESCO personnel, scholars, public officials and practitioners to participate in a discussion about what is required to sustain quality education in our region, and particularly within The Bahamas. The main focus of the workshop was Global Citizenship Education.

The one day workshop is being hosted by the Ministry with support from the UNESCO cluster office for the Caribbean. Delegates from throughout the Caribbean and Latin America are in attendance to collaborate on establishing linkages and entry points for global citizenship education in the Bahamas.

The one day workshop was held at the National Training Agency on Gladstone Road on Tuesday November 5, 2019.

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H. O. Nash Junior High School Hosts Its Annual Awards Ceremony, 2019

“One Team; One Goal: Pursuing Excellence” was the theme under which students of H. O. Nash Junior High were honoured. Awardees received recognition in categories such as Students of the Year, Principal’s List, Honour Roll, Rising Stars, Precious Gems, Subject Awards, Most Improved, B.J.C. and Pitman Performance Awards. Lion’s Country celebrated over 100 students, boasting of 82 Honour Roll recipients and 11 Principal’s List awardees. The school also celebrated the accomplishment of 14 B.J.C. passes with 5 As, and 32 Pitman passes of which 22 were first class passes. In a brief inspiring presentation, guest speaker, Rev. Diana Francis reminded students of the importance of doing their best.

Government High School Honours Academic Excellence

“Embarking on the Journey Towards Excellence” is the theme under which 51 students of Government High School (GHS) were honoured for outstanding academic achievement. The stats of honour students this year showed a five percent improvement from last year, according to the school’s principal Ms. Eloise B. Whyms. Four students landed a spot on the Principal’s list, while 47 made the Honour Roll.

Among those recognized for scholastic achievement were displaced Abaco students from Patrick J. Bethel High School who were integrated within the GHS community. In a surprise visit, the students’ principal, Mr. Ricardo Ferguson presented them with certificates.

In a brief inspiring presentation, guest speaker, Mr. Leonardis Moss reminded students of the keys to continued success.

National Fire Drill Day

On October 30th 2019, Ministry of Education schools were engaged in the National Fire Drill Day. Prior to this day, schools were given specific parameters to facilitate the exercise. All schools were encouraged to participate in the drill, which is designed to capture readiness of schools in the event of the need to evacuate school grounds for safety reasons. The fire department shared their expertise with many schools in New Providence as they visited school campuses, sharing additional information of the importance of the drills. This year the drill day was rescheduled due to the passage of category 5 Hurricane Dorian from which The Bahamas is still trying to regain stability. The drill was scheduled to take place the first Thursday of September. The National Fire Drill was instituted by the Safety and Disaster Risk Reduction unit of the Ministry of Education. Each school is required to conduct drills twice per year, one unannounced and one announced drill.

Ukrainian Team Pays Courtesy Call

Ms. Tiffany Christie and the Ukrainian team met with the Hon. Jeffrey L. Lloyd and other Ministry of Education Officials to present an elite educational programme (The Ukrainian Curriculum).