TCI News
Donated paint and volunteers as Sandals Foundation & TCI Paint & Supply beautify The Bight school
#Providenciales, August 12, 2019 – Turks and Caicos – A couple of weeks of sweat equity and over $10,000 in donated paint and professional painters will ensure the new school year is more aesthetically appealing and conducive for learning for the 585 students of the Ianthe Pratt Primary School (IPPS) in the Bight.
“We thank Sandals Foundation for all that they are doing because we know that when the children return to school in September, they’re going to be excited and happy, because they are going to be basically in a new school. Outside is painted, inside is painted, doors will be painted and I know the teachers will be so grateful. So thank you!”
The Sandals Foundation volunteers of Beaches Resort, which sits next to the school, began the work on Friday with tremendous help from TCI Paint & Supply.
Wendy-Faye Rodriquez, project manager from Beaches Resort explained the mission of the 35 volunteers from Beaches and 15 volunteers from ER Construction.
“Sandals Foundation is in a joint venture with TCI Paint which supplied us with the necessary paint materials and supply of the different paint brushes, rollers and the tools required to do this job. We are very happy to have TCI Paint and ER Construction, not only did TCI Paint donate the paint and supplies but ER Construction to actually have professional painters, painting here with us.”
Minister of Education, Karen Malcolm was joined by her Director of Education, Edgar Howell in the announcement of the big donation for the Ianthe Pratt Primary School family.
“I am elated for the work that Sandals Foundation and TCI Paint along with their partners are doing here at the school. At the Ministry of Education, we are always grateful for those in our community, our corporate partners who come on board and assist us during the summer holidays. This is not the first project that Sandals has done, I can recall them helping us with Enid Capron as well as Clement Howell High School.”
TCI Paint & Supply owner Brenton Berry’s wife is a former teacher at IPPS and that is admittedly a part of the inspiration for his company ‘jumping at the chance’ to support the project.
“Ianthe Pratt holds a very special place in my heart because my wife actually taught here for quite some time, so its nice to be able to give back to the community. It’s nice to be a part of good things going on.”
Eleven-year-old TCI Paint & Supply was asked to come on board by the Sandals Foundation.
“I think it is a testament of Sandals Foundation and all of the other people that are here working, volunteering their time to take care of the future of the country; they are the leaders and the future of the country. We are proud to be a part of it.”
The school grounds and classrooms have by now been cleaned-up in preparation for the new coats of paint, aimed at beautifying the buildings and classrooms.
“We also have volunteers who are here to help clean the areas, the doors, the windows, the ceilings the fans, the light fixtures; whatever is needed for us to apply the quality paint we received to these areas,” said Mrs. Rodriquez, who added that, “We are grateful that the Ministry of Education has allowed us and opened arms to us to be here to make this venture, a successful venture for us and our future leaders, our kids of this school.”
A message of care for the facilities which came from the Minister was not merely for IPPS children, but for students at public schools across the country, said Minister Malcolm.
“There is a lot that is going into ensuring you have comfortable environments, so I would ask that you take care of it, just like you would take care of your homes. You spend most of your time during the day here at Iathe Pratt and I would encourage you to do your best to ensure that your surroundings are kept clean, your classrooms are kept clean, put your garbage in the bins and just help your teachers by behaving and learning because you are here in school to learn.”
It will mean Ianthe Pratt Primary teachers return in August to fresh looking classrooms and it will mean, the same for students in September – all agreed this is imperative for a successful education.
Mr. Berry concluded: ‘It’s gonna be a brand-new school once Sandals Foundation is done with it.”
#magneticmedianews
#iantheprattbeautificationproject
#sandalsandtcipaintsupply
Turks and Caicos, October 28, 2025 – We are closely monitoring the impact of Hurricane Melissa on Jamaica, and our thoughts and prayers are with our regional neighbours for their safety and well-being
We are now entering a critical period as Hurricane Melissa advances towards the Turks and Caicos Islands. Current projections indicate that Hurricane Melissa will begin to impact the Turks and Caicos Islands around midday tomorrow, Wednesday, 29th October.
This morning, Her Excellency the Governor and the Hon. Premier chaired a State of Preparedness Meeting. All Government agencies and critical services are mobilised. The safety and protection of every person across our Islands remains our highest priority. Our emergency response teams are prepared and the TCI Regiment is deployed across each of our Islands to support community readiness and immediate response. The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force are on active duty, with additional officers in North Caicos, Salt Cay, South Caicos and Grand Turk.
At this time, the hurricane is moving north-northeast. The country is expected to experience tropical storm conditions, heavy rainfall and
significant storm surge. The storm surge poses a serious concern for low-lying coastal areas especially along our western and southern coastlines, which may result in coastal flooding. Based on the most current weather projections and anticipated impacts for the Turks and Caicos Islands, the National Executive have agreed the following actions:
1. Evacuation Advisories
Residents in specific low-lying and flood-prone coastal areas are likely to experience significant storm surge of 2-4 feet with accompanying rainfall. Strong advice is now place for residents in these areas to relocate to designated shelters which will be open from 4pm this afternoon. These areas include:
Middle Caicos
- Conch Bar Nearest Shelter: The Community Centre
North Caicos
- Sandy Point Nearest Shelter : Sandy Point Community Centre
- Whitby Nearest Shelter: Adelaide Oemler Primary School
- Bottle Creek Nearest Shelter: Adelaide Oemler Primary School
Providenciales
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- Chalk Sound Nearest Shelter Enid Capron Primary School
- Five Cays Nearest Shelter: Enid Capron Primary School
- Discovery Bay Nearest Shelter: All Saints Church, Leeward Highway
- Juba Sound Nearest Shelter: A. Louise Garland High School
- Long Bay Nearest Shelter: A. Louise Garland High School
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South Caicos
- Cockburn Harbour Nearest Shelter: Community Centre
- Old Airport Road Nearest Shelter: Community Centre
Should an evacuation order become necessary, it will be issued following the 6:00 PM Advisory this evening from the TCI National Weather Service.
2. Activation of Emergency Operations Centre
The National Emergency Operations Centre in Providenciales and all Islands Emergency Operations Centres will be activated at 4:00 PM today.
3. Shelters Access
Shelters across all Islands will open today at 4:00 PM to receive members of the public.
4. Shelter-in-Place
A Strong Shelter-in-Place Advisory is in place for all islands, commencing at 10:00 PM tonight. This will be in place until the all clear has been issued.
This means that from 10:00 PM tonight, all residents should be off the road, in a safe location, either at home or a designated shelter.
Please note that this position may be revised following the 6:00 PM Advisory from the TCI National Weather Service, depending on updated storm projections.
The Turks and Caicos Islands Airports Authority (TCIAA) has confirmed that all airports remain fully operational for today. They will advise the public about ongoing operations dependent on the weather impacts.
In times such as this, the role of commercial entities extends beyond business – it becomes a vital part of the community’s resilience. All retailers and service providers are urged to uphold their humanitarian responsibilities by maintaining fair pricing and ensuring essential goods and services remain accessible to all.
Residents and visitors are reminded to adhere strictly to all official advisories and evacuation orders as they are issued. Avoid unnecessary movement, secure your property, and ensure that you and your family are prepared with essential supplies. Stay prepared and stay safe.
Turks and Caicos, October 24, 2025 – Commissioner of Police Fitz Bailey delivered an impassioned address to male students at Clement Howell High School, calling on them to recognize their power, seize their potential, and “awaken the sleeping giants” within.
In a message that blended humility, faith, and personal experience, the Commissioner reminded the boys that the decisions they make today will shape their future.“The choices you make today determine who you become tomorrow,” he said.
Bailey, who revealed he was the first in his family to attend high school, urged the students to embrace education and discipline as tools of
transformation.“Knowledge is power. If you want to be a real man, you need to read,” he told them. “Remember your potential — if others can do it, so can you. Some of you are sleeping giants waiting to be awakened.”
He emphasized that circumstances of birth do not dictate destiny, challenging the young men to carry self-respect, faith, and moral conviction wherever they go. “Self-respect is key; respect yourself, respect others, and respect God,” he said. “The circumstances you were born into do not define who you are.”
The Commissioner also spoke about resilience, advising that true strength often lies in restraint.
“There will be challenges, and people may try to impede your development — but rise above negativity. Sometimes, strength means walking away,” he said. “Some of you are sleeping lions; it’s time to awaken that instinct and rediscover your true potential.”
In closing, Commissioner Bailey delivered a stirring challenge:
“Each morning, look in the mirror and remind yourself that you were created by God and are capable of great exploits. You are a possibility with potential. Step forward with confidence — this is your country, your islands. Be the best version of yourself.”
Following his speech, the Commissioner engaged the students in open dialogue, answering questions and listening to their perspectives on issues affecting young men in the Turks and Caicos Islands.
Developed by Deandrea Hamilton • with ChatGPT (AI) • edited by Magnetic Media.
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