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Educators Attended United: The National Conference on School Leadership in Nashville, TN, USA, 15 – 17th July 2024

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From Left to Right: Porsha Robinson-Saunders, Earleen Elliott, Sarah Kennedy, Sharonica Grant, Monique Cox and Vanda Harvey.

PRESS RELEASE

FROM THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

YOUTH, SPORTS AND CULTURE

 

 

Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Thursday, 25 July 2024: The team comprised of four (4) of the newly appointed vice-principals – Monique Cox, Eliza Simons Primary; Vanda Harvey, Thelma Lightbourne Primary; Sharonica Grant, Oseta Jolly Primary; Porsha Robinson Saunders, Ianthe Pratt Primary; Principal, Earleen Elliott, Iris Stubbs Primary; and Education Officer, Sarah Kennedy.

Jon Gordon – Best-Selling Author

The participants attending this conference are current members of the National Association of Elementary School Principals (NAESP) as International Associates. The NAESP, founded in 1921, is a professional Organisation serving elementary and middle school principals.  It supports school leaders in providing students with a well-rounded and complete education, which includes access to high-quality early learning, arts integration, and afterschool and summer learning; and strengthens the principal pipeline through mentor training and support for early career principals, assistant principals, and aspiring principals.

The 2024 UNITED Conference, powered by NAESP and NASSP (National Association of Secondary School Principals)

focused on these themes:

  • Building Leadership Capacity
  • Instructional Leadership
  • Leveraging Student Voice and Agency
  • School Climate, Culture, and Inclusivity
  • Whole School Wellness

Keynote Speakers for the event were:

  • Jon Gordon – Best-Selling Author
  • Rehema Ellis – Chief Education Correspondent for NBC News
  • Sal Khan – founder and CEO of Khan Academy

A highlight of the conference expressed by Monique Cox, was the session on “Leading with Purpose” presented by Thomas Murray. He emphasised the importance of aligning leadership practices with a clear, impactful mission and demonstrated various teambuilding activities. The key takeaways include:

  1. Clarity of Vision: Effective leaders must articulate a clear and compelling vision that resonates with their team and stakeholders, ensuring everyone understands and is committed to the common goal.

    Rehema Ellis – Chief Education Correspondent for NBC News

  2. Values-Driven Leadership: Leading with purpose involves integrating core values into decision-making processes, fostering a culture of integrity, and setting an example for others to follow.
  3. Empowering Others: Purposeful leaders empower their teams by providing the tools, support, and autonomy needed to innovate and excel, thus creating a more engaged and motivated workforce.
  4. Sustainable Impact: Leadership with purpose prioritises long-term, sustainable impact over short-term gains, focusing on initiatives that benefit society and the environment.
  5. Resilience and Adaptability: Leaders must be resilient and adaptable, able to navigate challenges while staying true to their purpose, thereby inspiring confidence and perseverance in their teams.

Porsha Robinson-Saunders noted, “A school staff that is divided and disconnected is weak and powerless. A school staff that is united is connected and powerful.”  These were words expressed by Jon Gordon, Keynote Speaker, on Building Leadership Capacity; Expanding Career Building and Professional Leadership Skills.”  Her key takeaways include:

1. Embrace positivity: By infusing positivity into everything, you can bring things to life and experience better, smoother days.

2. Celebrate teachers and students: Learning to celebrate both students and staff is crucial. When students and teachers feel valued and appreciated, it positively impacts the school environment and dynamics.

3. Embrace inclusive learning: It’s essential to include students with special needs in the learning process, fostering an environment of diversity and support within the school community.

4. Celebrate your school: Allow parents to clearly see the success of the school. By highlighting achievements and milestones, you can build a stronger connection between the school and the community.

5. Connect and network: Create a community of practice among peers in your field and position. Sharing ideas, being flexible, and approaching discussions with an open mind can lead to valuable collaborations and professional growth.

Sal Khan – founder and CEO of Khan Academy

Education Officer Sarah Kennedy commented that as Leaders, they were given the opportunity to immerse themselves in a rich learning environment, empowering themselves to become effective change agents while focusing on their own professional growth. They plan to use the knowledge learned from top-notch speakers and other School Leaders to make more powerful contributions to improving their schools and advancing educational equity for their students.”

Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture, the Hon. Rachel Taylor, added, The mandate of the Ministry is to build human capital through the promotion of lifelong learning.  Building the capacity of our leaders in education puts them in a better position to transform their schools as they address the wholistic needs of their institutions.  I am excited about the potential impact of the conference and look forward to the meaningful changes that can and will occur as a result of the knowledge and skills acquired at the conference.  The Ministry’s aim is to support and encourage transformational leadership in our schools. Congratulations team!  I wish you a productive academic year 2024/2025 and beyond.”

The team is already making plans to participate in UNITED 2025.  In addition, the members of the team will share and implement the strategies they learned with their colleagues and they will strengthen the partnerships they’ve forged with other principals and vice principals from various nations.

Attending UNITED LEADERSHIP Conference provided access to valuable resources and a broad network of educators.

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Grand Turk Police Honour Retirees While Extending Community Outreach

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Turks and Caicos, April 23, 2026 – A day of reflection, recognition and community service unfolded in Grand Turk on April 13, as officers of the Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police Force visited retired and former members of the Force while carrying out outreach initiatives across the island.

The visits to past officers were marked by nostalgia and appreciation, with retirees sharing stories from their years of service and expressing gratitude for being remembered. Among those honoured was retired Superintendent Ralph Doughty, credited with helping to establish the Force’s cricket team, along with former Sergeant Conrad Thomas, former Inspector Benjamin Harvey, Corporal Leroy King, Sergeant George Worrell, Superintendent Marc Henry and Acting Inspector Tomiko Glinton.

The visiting team, led by Inspector Jeremy Jones and supported by Sergeants Kavin Mars and Aquina Martin and Constable Hussein Higgs, presented tokens of appreciation to Mr. Doughty and Mr. Glinton in recognition of their contributions.

The outreach extended beyond former officers, with welfare checks conducted for elderly residents including Yvonne Lightbourne, Pastor Mary Forbes and Edith Mesa, reinforcing the Force’s continued engagement with vulnerable members of the community.

In a parallel initiative, Constables Jeffrey Castillo and Demi Alexis visited Ona Glinton Primary School, where they delivered a “Good Touch, Bad Touch” session for students aged four to seven, focusing on personal safety and protection.

The combined efforts highlight an ongoing approach to policing in Grand Turk—one that honours the legacy of service while actively supporting the wellbeing and development of the wider community.

Developed by Deandrea Hamilton • with ChatGPT (AI) • edited by Magnetic Media.

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A Lesson in Nature: Sandals Foundation Takes Students on Mindfulness Nature Trail for Earth Day

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Students from the Enid Capron Primary school Environmental Club along with teachers and Beaches Turks and Caicos leaders pause to take a photo at the pine tree sculpture along the Grace Bay beach during the school’s Earth Day tour of the resort’s gardens and nursery  

CAPITAL, Island, April 22, 2026 — 26 students of Enid Capron Primary School joined over 300 children across nine Caribbean islands who stepped out of the classroom and into nature this Earth Day, as the Sandals Foundation rolled out a Caribbean-wide guided mindfulness programme designed to build environmental awareness and support mental well-being.

The activity which took place at Beaches Turks and Caicos resort gardens and plant nursery enabled students to connect directly with the island’s ecosystems engaging in breathing exercises, nature walks, sensory observation and discussions. The programme also sought to reinforce the role of nature in healing the body and mind as well as explore the everyday actions young people can take to protect their natural resources.

“By combining mindfulness with environmental education, we wanted to encourage students to slow down, be present, reflect, and appreciate the beauty of nature which is around them,” says Heidi Clarke, Executive Director at the Sandals Foundation. “We also wanted to share with students that sense of responsibility and power they each have to protect their community’s natural resources and the services those resources support.”

Allika Barthold, a grade six student shared her excitement following the tour. “It was beautiful. The team here shared a lot of information and taught us a lot about how important it is for us to take care of not only our planet, but our island home, Providenciales. The nature sculpture was one of the most exciting real life experience that I saw. It is protecting our shores, our ocean and our planet.”

Coordinated by Sandals Foundation Ambassadors at Beaches Turks and Caicos resort, the team of 12 volunteers led by Public Relation Manager, Orville Morgan said, “the mindfulness walk was an absolute success. Students were fully immersed in observing the plants and animals around them and their curiosity shined through the many questions they asked. There is no better way to learn about nature than to be in it and for that, I am very happy we were able to make this possible”.

Vice Principal, Nelene Swann noted, “the team at the resort was knowledgeable and were able to share environmental information with the children for them to understand. We got firsthand knowledge on the success behind what makes the resort picturesque. Beaches Turks and Caicos is environmentally aware and all the team members who participated were able to provide information that our students can practice at home to make our planet better.”

More than 300 students across Antigua, Barbados, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Grenada, The Bahamas, Turks and Caicos Islands, Curacao, and Jamaica visited national parks, mangrove forests, Beaches Resorts gardens, and or national conservation areas, fostering a disengagement from digital devices and allowing time to decompress and connect with nature.

The activity, which fosters positive mental wellbeing forms part of the wider range of conservation work of the Sandals Foundation which has to date engaged 177,526 people in environmental education, planted 28,117 trees, outplanted 38,156 corals, invested in programmes that monitor the safe hatch of 221,392 sea turtles, and supported 23 marine and terrestrial protected areas.

Captions:

1st insert: The students from the Enid Capron Primary school received a surprise visit from one of their ‘furry friends’ from Sesame Street during the garden tour with Beaches Turks and Caicos Landscaping Manager Jason Yuille

 2nd insert: Students and teachers were locked in the presentation from Jason Yuille, Beaches Turks and Caicos Landscaping manager during the Earth Day 2026 resort tour

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NEW DESTINATION GUIDE BOOK ANNOUNCED FOR TURKS & CAICOS ISLANDS

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Turks and Caicos, April 23, 2026 – Experience Turks and Caicos is happy to announce that we have published a new destination guide to the Turks and Caicos Islands, designed to enhance the visitor experience while providing potential travellers with comprehensive and inspiring information on the destination.

The magazine was produced in collaboration with Greydoor Publishing, a UK-based company that partners with tourism boards across the Caribbean to create high-quality destination magazines and pocket guides.

Spanning 104 pages, the publication offers an in-depth look at the Turks and Caicos Islands, from its rich history and culture to the diverse range of activities and experiences available across the islands.

With the tagline “An Ocean of Experiences”, the guidebook, in keeping with Experience Turks and Caicos’ mission to promote the destination’s multi-island identity and ensure that all communities benefit from tourism, shines a spotlight on each island, highlighting unique experiences, locally owned restaurants, and homegrown entrepreneurs. It also serves as a practical planning tool, featuring curated three-day, seven-day, and ten-day itineraries to help visitors make the most of their stay.

The guide places a strong emphasis on culture, with a dedicated section outlining signature events held throughout the year, giving visitors a deeper connection to the rhythm and spirit of the islands.

To further enhance convenience, the publication includes QR codes that link to comprehensive listings of car rentals, taxis, and restaurants across the destination.

Minister of Tourism, Hon. Zhavargo Jolly, noted that the guidebook comes at a time when the destination is strengthening its presence in key international markets.

“We have made a clear commitment to strengthening our presence in key international markets, and this guide is an important part of that effort. It gives visitors a much fuller picture of who we are as a destination—not just our beaches, but our culture, our people, and the experiences across all of our islands. It helps us tell our story properly and ensures that more of Turks and Caicos is seen, experienced, and shared with the world,” the Minister said.

Interim CEO Consultant of Experience Turks and Caicos, Mr. Paul Pennicook, expressed pride in the publication, which marks the organisation’s first official guidebook.

“As we continue to expand the presence of the Turks and Caicos Islands at trade shows and conferences around the world, this guidebook will play an essential role in showcasing the destination,” he said. “I would like to thank all of the stakeholders who supported this publication through advertising, as well as Greydoor Publishing for working closely with our Public Relations Manager, Ms. Laura Dowrich, to bring this magazine to life.”

A digital version of The Turks and Caicos Islands Guidebook will be available on our destination website at www.visitturksandcaicos.com.

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