The Bahamas Agriculture and Marine Science Institute (BAMSI) explored the sweet side of native agriculture with some of the nation’s youngest students at Sandliands Primary School. Principal Antoiniette Forbes along with members of her sixth grade class welcomed BAMSI and Senator, the Hon. Tyrel Young, BAMSI Chairman, earlier this week as they planted a Sugar Apple Tree.

The students were excited to be part of the first phase of the Institute’s One-2-One Tree Planting campaign that aims to plant one fruit tree in each constituency in New Providence and the Family Islands. The goal of BAMSI’s campaign, when completed, is to have planted one tree for every Bahamian. Joining the students, staff and administrators of Sandilands Primary were the Hon. Adrian White, Member of Parliament for St. Anne’s who shared tips on the best way to plant a tree. He also highlighted the postive environmental legacy the students were part of now.

With the relaunch of the Local Government Junior Council Programme in full swing at 38 schools in the Family Islands and one in New Providence, Minister of Works and Family Island Affairs, the Hon. Clay Sweeting visited a number of schools on October 19, 2023 to get a first-hand account of the electoral process.

Minister Sweeting congratulated the schools throughout the country for welcoming the initiative and the Local Government team for helping to bring the programme to fruition.

“For us, Local Government is about bringing government closer to the people and how better to do that than to involve the children throughout the country, especially in the Family Islands,” he said, while on the campus at Jack Hayward High in Grand Bahama.

“To be here today and to see that they had over 75 percent registered at the school and also completed the voting process today; to be engaged, not just in Local Government but in how the general election process is as well.”

Following the election process, each Council will be given a minimum of $4,000 to assist with their projects and will be responsible for selecting three Boards: Grounds; Facilities; and Academic, Athletic and Activities (AAA).

Minister Sweeting, who also started out in Local Government, noted that a number of agencies, including the Ministry of National Security, Ministry of Education, the Police and Defence Forces, the Parliamentary Department as well as Local Government, pooled their resources for the initiative.

“It’s a team effort for sure and then we have members of Parliament who are helping to assist with some funding; we have private donors that will assist with funding for each school and that funding will be used by the Council,” he said.

The Councils will be guided by school officials on budgeting and expenses and will learn how to work together on projects.

“They will have a chief councillor, the same as the local Council, board members, the same as a Local Government and they will be able to vote. It will be a full experience of being an actual Local Government in the schools,” he said.

The pilot programme was initiated in 2009 with six schools in the Family Islands.

The 2023 programme relaunch under the theme, “Advancing Local Government through Empowerment,” saw a total of 6,403 registered student voters and 501 candidates throughout The Bahamas is designed to foster leadership in young Bahamians.

“They’re excited. This is an initiative that I didn’t get when I was in school, and probably some others, so this is something that will help make you feel that you’re a part of your community and then to transition to Local Government and what it really means to help to develop our communities and mold the places we will on the Family Islands,” Minister Sweeting said.

Nominations were held on Tuesday, October 10.

Seven schools are participating in Grand Bahama — Eight Mile Rock High, Jack Hayward Junior and Senior High, Sister Mary Patricia Junior High, Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Academy, Grand Bahama Academy, and St. Georges High School.

From Jack Hayward High, Minister Sweeting led a delegation to Eight Mile Rock High School before travelling to Eleuthera.

A swearing-in ceremony is tentatively set for October 30th.

During the pilot launch, the programme catered to 10th and 11th graders. It is now open to students from seventh to 12th grade in both public and private schools.

With the relaunch of the Local Government Junior Council Programme in full swing at 38 schools in the Family Islands and one in New Providence, Minister of Works and Family Island Affairs, the Hon. Clay Sweeting visited a number of schools on October 19, 2023 to get a first-hand account of the electoral process. Minister Sweeting congratulated the schools throughout the country for welcoming the initiative and the Local Government team for helping to bring the programme to fruition. “For us, Local Government is about bringing government closer to the people and how better to do that than to involve the children throughout the country, especially in the Family Islands,” he said, while on the campus at Jack Hayward High in Grand Bahama. “To be here today and to see that they had over 75 percent registered at the school and also completed the voting process today; to be engaged, not just in Local Government but in how the general election process is as well.” Following the election process, each Council will be given a minimum of $4,000 to assist with their projects and will be responsible for selecting three Boards: Grounds; Facilities; and Academic, Athletic and Activities (AAA). Minister Sweeting, who also started out in Local Government, noted that a number of agencies, including the Ministry of National Security, Ministry of Education, the Police and Defence Forces, the Parliamentary Department as well as Local Government, pooled their resources for the initiative. “It’s a team effort for sure and then we have members of Parliament who are helping to assist with some funding; we have private donors that will assist with funding for each school and that funding will be used by the Council,” he said. The Councils will be guided by school officials on budgeting and expenses and will learn how to work together on projects. “They will have a chief councillor, the same as the local Council, board members, the same as a Local Government and they will be able to vote. It will be a full experience of being an actual Local Government in the schools,” he said. The pilot programme was initiated in 2009 with six schools in the Family Islands. The 2023 programme relaunch under the theme, “Advancing Local Government through Empowerment,” saw a total of 6,403 registered student voters and 501 candidates throughout The Bahamas is designed to foster leadership in young Bahamians. “They’re excited. This is an initiative that I didn’t get when I was in school, and probably some others, so this is something that will help make you feel that you’re a part of your community and then to transition to Local Government and what it really means to help to develop our communities and mold the places we will on the Family Islands,” Minister Sweeting said. Nominations were held on Tuesday, October 10. Seven schools are participating in Grand Bahama — Eight Mile Rock High, Jack Hayward Junior and Senior High, Sister Mary Patricia Junior High, Mary Star of the Sea Catholic Academy, Grand Bahama Academy, and St. Georges High School. From Jack Hayward High, Minister Sweeting led a delegation to Eight Mile Rock High School before travelling to Eleuthera. A swearing-in ceremony is tentatively set for October 30th. During the pilot launch, the programme catered to 10th and 11th graders. It is now open to students from seventh to 12th grade in both public and private schools.

Three Grand Bahama entrepreneurs  paid it forward by donating $300 worth of stationery, notebooks, crayons, and folders to Maurice Moore Primary School to start the school year.

S'Bomb Body Jewels and Piercings' Lashaunna "Shay" Williams explained that the donation, made with Raw Platinum Conch Stand's Kelly Wilson and Lashletics's Lashayne Thomas, was her way of supporting her alma mater.

"Maurice Moore opened so many doors for me. I was thinking about the past, and how grateful I still am for the guidance and the different scholarships I received, so I thought, why not give back to the school that built me."

She said they also wanted to assist parents who struggle with buying school supplies.

Maurice Moore Primary School Principal Rodney Bethel expressed gratitude, stating, "These supplies will go a long way in ensuring that the students get their assignments completed. The financial situation in Grand Bahama right now is not where it needs to be. So, we greatly appreciate their help."

For us at Grand Bahama News, it's truly heart-warming to see the spirit of community still moving about in Grand Bahama.

Expect anything - that was one of the "nuggets" that new Catholic Board of Education (CBE) Director Dr. Alexandria Roberts-Bowe received from retired director Claudette Rolle.

Then there was the lesson from COVID which brought with it many challenges and the level of loss and fear that impacted their communities.

"It has heightened my awareness of our interconnectedness and the need to be prepared. I have learned to be ready for any eventuality, and to always have a contingency plan in place," said Roberts-Bowe.

While she says she has always been organized and a planner, she said the COVID pandemic heightened those personal attributes.

Roberts-Bowe officially assumed the directorship on September 1 and said she was acutely aware that she has been charged with a mammoth responsibility.

"For me, this is grounded in faith and requires intuitiveness, meticulous attention to detail and commitment - all of which I acknowledge with great humility, cognizant that my actions have immense implications," said Roberts-Bowe.

"My vision is that our scholars are able to demonstrate their academic capabilities in ways far beyond their performance on assessments. Additionally, it involves continued enhanced performance and growth with emphasis on our responsibility to be good stewards of God's creations, experiential education, recognition of our interconnectedness, a renewed dedication to excellence and the call to be of service."

With each school culture different, Roberts-Bowe said the CBE philosophy is shared and consistent throughout their family of schools which she said are guided and driven by a strong belief that education involves more than sharing facts.

"For us, the process of learning is essential and must view the intellectual, spiritual, and physical dimensions of our scholars. No matter the Catholic school, our aim is to support our scholars in the journey toward self-actualization. Our schools are committed to be developing students to be Christian leaders who are environmentally conscious, academically capable, loving individuals who are centered and recognize the importance of being healthy life-long learners."

Weeks into the new academic year, Roberts-Bowe's advice to students is that manners and respect are important and will help them throughout their life's journey.

"Believe in yourself, give your best, and never be afraid to ask for assistance.

"I believe that the beginning of a new school year offers much hope for our scholars and stakeholders. It brings an opportunity to begin afresh, make positive changes and for a more intentional approach to the teaching and learning process."

Her advice to teachers is to remember to identify the needs of their scholars.

"Always be intentional and provide many opportunities for your scholars to experience learning."

She also thanked educators for their commitment to the CBE system and encouraged them to remember to take time to care for themselves. She said they matter to the Board.

The new CBE director was in 2003 appointed principal at St. Vincent de Paul School in Grand Bahama under the leadership of former CBE director Claudette Rolle. At the time she said neither of them imagined she would one day hold the position of director. But she says she believes her preparation began then.

"Claudette Rolle was an exceptional servant leader - one I would also characterize as an instructional leader. Therefore, while preparation for this particular role formally spans about seven months, I say without reservation, I have sat under the tutelage of Claudette Rolle for over two decades."

As a classroom teacher she was given many opportunities for leadership under the guidance of former principals Geneva Rutherford and Beatrice Ferguson.

"I was challenged often and given the responsibility to lead various school activities, to serve as a grade level or committee coordinator, and to represent our school in various capacities. Additionally, as curriculum officer, my office was located on one of our campuses, allowing me to interact regularly with teachers and students. These types of experiences provided many occasions for me to directly interact with our stakeholders, to garner a deeper understanding of events and to effectively respond, all contributing to my journey to this point in Catholic education.

"So many have poured into my life, and I stand on the shoulders of priests, sisters, the first lay director [Claudette Rolle], principals, teachers, and all persons responsible for the development of Catholic education in The Bahamas, from whom I have garnered a deep understanding and appreciation of the legacy of Catholic education in The Bahamas and globally. I know that I will do things in ways unique to Alexandria. I am open to change, but know that any alteration will not simply be because I have the ability to make an adjustment. Changes will be rooted in data an analysis to ensure their effectiveness in contributing to improvement."

Roberts-Bowe said at Catholic schools they believe they are not only preparing their scholars to be academically capable, environmentally conscious, financially adept and healthy lifelong learners, but that daily they support their scholars and assist them in identifying where God is calling them to serve.

"We expect that when they leave us, they would have internalized all of these attributes and are good productive contributors to society."

The director's job is to ensure the factors/tenets are in place to accomplish the mission and vision of the Catholic church. The director is answerable to the Board - of which Archbishop Patrick Pinder is a member - and has responsibility to ensure Board's policies are executed. The director also serves as the leader who will bring ideas to the team for the further enhancement and improvement of Catholic education.

Roberts-Bowe replaced Claudette Rolle, who retired after 42 years with the CBE - 41 years as director.

When Rolle assumed the director's role on September 1, 1981, she was the first lay person in the position. The position was previously known as superintendent, which was held by Sister Mary Benedict Pratt.