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Teacher Cultural Training Workshops – Session Two

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PRESS RELEASE: From the Department of Culture and Heritage

Ministry of Tourism, Environment, Fisheries and Marine Affairs, Culture and Heritage, Agriculture and Religious Affairs

 

#TurksandCaicos, March 31, 2023 – The Department of Culture and Heritage continues its partnership with the education sector with the hosting of its second round of workshops, which is geared towards equipping teachers with knowledge and skills in the area of Culture and Heritage.

This three-day workshop commenced on 27th March, in Providenciales, and engaged teachers from both public and private institutions in Providenciales, North and Middle Caicos.

Presenters include Ms. E. Blythe Clare, Dr. Dellareese Higgs, Mrs. Desiree Robinson, Dr. Carlton Mills, Mr. Kitchner Penn, Mr. Alfred Robinson, Mr. David Bowen, Mr. Lindsey ‘Zues’ Butterfield, Mr. Edric Smith and the staff of the Department of Culture and Heritage, all personnel who are well versed in the culture and heritage of the Turks and Caicos Islands. Similar to the workshop that was held in Grand Turk, the sessions promise to be highly interactive and will cover areas such as Introduction to Turks and Caicos Islands, National Symbols, Communication and Transportation, Slavery and Apprenticeship, Our National Hero, Unsung Heroes, De Masses, Junkanoo and Costume Making, Past Festivals, Rip Saw Music, Folk Songs and Dance, Maskanoo, and Event Management.

Dr. Keran B. Williams, Education Officer with responsibility for Teacher Development and Training within the Education Department commented “the Cultural Workshop hosted by the Department of Culture and Heritage was very informative and engaging. The Facilitators shared a wealth of knowledge on TCI culture, history, and key facts. Indeed, this workshop provided our teachers with the opportunity to learn much more about the culture of the TCI. Such knowledge gained can only better enhance the teaching and learning of culture within our Schools. Undoubtedly, teachers were inspired to return to their classrooms empowered with greater content for the teaching of TCI Culture. Great job Department of Culture!”

Additionally, Miss Darronic S. Williams, Culture and Heritage Club Leader and Head of Department of the Marjorie Basden High School shared “the Cultural Workshop hosted by the Cultural Department did an excellent job of emphasizing the importance of our culture being integrated in every aspect of school life, so that our children will be constantly reminded of where we come from and develop a true sense of pride for the Turks and Caicos Islands.”

As the department continues to concentrate on Strategic Pillar 2 of its National Culture and Heritage Policy, which speaks to Education, Training and Capacity Building, over the coming months, we will continue to host various training sessions and activities for our teachers and students alike. Students will engage in activities that include both outdoor and in-door learning to increase understanding and stewardship of the Turks and Caicos Islands culture and heritage.

Teachers, be prepared for very intense, but enjoyable, sessions!

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Education

Champions for Christ International School of Excellence

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Tiffany D. Grant-Saunders, MSW, BA Acting Principal/Guidance Counselor

Turks and Caicos, September 5, 2025 – It is our esteemed pleasure to introduce you to Mrs. Tiffany D. Grant-Saunders, MSW, BA, as the new Acting Principal/Guidance Counselor for Champions For Christ International School of Excellence, effective September 1, 2025.

Mrs. Grant-Saunders is the youngest daughter of Millicent R. Grant and Kenneth Grant.  Raised in Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands, she is a 2016 graduate of Champions For Christ International School of Excellence.  She holds a Master of Social Work and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Clinical Counseling from Saint Leo University in Saint Leo, FL, having graduated Magna Cum Laude.

She brings her experience as a Mental Health Technician and Education Liaison in Dade City, FL. In addition, she completed her internship as a Therapist Intern with North Tampa Behavioral Health and Zephyrhills Behavioral Health.

We are excited to have Mrs. Grant-Saunders return to the Turks and Caicos Islands and invest her time and talents in the continued building of our student body here at Champions For Christ International School of Excellence.

Please join us in welcoming her home!

 

Claudette M. Basden

Founder & Executive Director 

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Bahamas News

Holmes Rock Junior High School on Track to Open in September

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Bahamas Information Services

 

GRAND BAHAMA, The Bahamas — On Saturday, August 23, 2025, Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry for Grand Bahama and Member of Parliament for West Grand Bahama and Bimini, Kingsley Smith along with Deputy Director of Education for the Grand Bahama, Bimini, and The Cays District, Michelle Bowleg toured Holmes Rock Junior High School to assess ongoing progress and ensure the project remains on track to welcome students for the new academic term in September.

Following the tour, Smith expressed optimism regarding the ongoing progress, stating, “Having toured the site and seeing the work that is being done on the weekend, shows the commitment and dedication to getting it completed.”

He also noted that after discussions with the contractors, he was assured that with sufficient manpower and around-the-clock work, the project remains on track for completion by September 1, 2025.

“One of our underlying goals is really access, so we are happy that the school will be up and ready for our students,” said Bowleg.

She highlighted that several zoom meetings were held with parents to keep them informed about key updates including booklists, uniforms, and staffing. According to Bowleg, feedback from parents has been overwhelmingly positive.

“It is a beautiful facility, one that parents will be very proud of, and the entire West Grand Bahama community,” she added.

(BIS Photos/Danielle Rollon)

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Education

Belize Students Explore Cruise Careers Aboard Carnival Paradise

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Belize City, Belize (Aug 19, 2025) – Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK), the world’s largest cruise company, recently welcomed 40 students from five educational institutions in Belize aboard the Carnival Paradise cruise ship. The visit was part of an initiative organized in collaboration with the Belize Tourism Board, aimed at inspiring future careers in the maritime industry.

The students represented Gwen Lizarraga High School, Sadie Vernon Technical High School, Nazarene High School, Anglican Cathedral College, and the Hope Center after-school program. The visit provided a firsthand look at cruise industry operations from Carnival’s perspective, highlighted onboard career opportunities, and supported ongoing youth empowerment efforts in Belize City.

During the guided tour of the ship’s public guest areas, the students were able to observe daily cruise operations up close, describing the experience as inspiring and educational, with many noting they learned about opportunities available in the cruise industry.

Captain Ivan Vatovic, Chief Engineer Domenico Bibita; Hotel Director Vivek Menon; Food & Beverage Director Stephen Kim Reynolds; Human Resources Director Daniel Marques De Oliveira; and Environmental Officer Daniela Ramos Licon spoke with the students about their respective roles aboard the ship. Learning & Development Manager John Philip Ortega provided an overview of Carnival Cruise Line’s recruitment process and the various shipboard career opportunities available.

Kwame Scott, Cruise Relations Specialist at the Belize Tourism Board, highlighted the positive impact of the initiative, “Partnering with Carnival Corporation has supported us to expose Belizean youth to viable career paths within the tourism sector. When students can see firsthand how the cruise industry operates, it opens their minds to possibilities they may never have considered.”

Julian Mortis, Director of The Hope Center, praised the program’s powerful educational value in an interview with 7 News Belize. She explained that the tour provided students with more than just a glimpse into a cruise ship. By learning about the roles and requirements, the children realized that a career on a ship, and the opportunity to travel the world, was a real and achievable possibility for them.

Photo Caption: Some of the participating Belizean students and teachers pose for a group photo aboard Carnival Paradise during an educational ship visit.

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