Connect with us

Education

PRECIOUS TREASURES SCHOOL TO REPRESENT THE TURKS AND CAICOS ISLANDS AT THE REGIONAL FINALS OF NATIONAL TOURISM DEBATE COMPETITION

Published

on

Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos Islands 9th July 2024 – The eagerly anticipated Regional Finals of the National Tourism Debate Competition will take place virtually with national champions, Precious Treasures School representing the Turks and Caicos Islands on 12 July, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. The Turks and Caicos Islands team comprises of Team Captain, Ms. Ade Cushnie, Ms.  Kiarah McLean and Mr. Theo Silva, accompanied by their coach Ms. Maurissa Horne. The event will be broadcast live from via the Ministry of Tourism Facebook page from a closed set at the Atrium, Providenciale

The Regional Finals will showcase a captivating debate between Elmore Stoutt High School, British Virgin Islands and representing the government and Precious Treasures School taking the opposition stance. The teams will engage in a thought-provoking debate on the topic, This house believes increasingly devastating superstorms and earthquakes make our number one tourism industry risky business for the Caribbean,” 

The National Tourism Debate Competition has been a collaborative effort led by the Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports and Social Services along with the Ministry of Tourism, with sponsorship from key partner, Experience Turks and Caicos and steadfast support the Edward C. Gartland Youth Center, the Turks and Caicos Hotel and Tourism Association and the Turks and Caicos Islands Community College. The competition aims to foster critical thinking, public speaking skills, and a deeper understanding of the pivotal role of the tourism industry, regionally among the youth.

The Hon. Josephine Connolly, Minister of Tourism, Environment, Fisheries and Marine Affairs, Culture and Heritage, Agriculture and Religious Affairs, expressed her delight in the Turks and Caicos Islands returning to the Regional Finals, stating, “The National Tourism Debate Competition provides a unique opportunity for our youth to explore and analyze critical issues affecting our tourism industry. I am eager to witness Precious Treasures School put forth a creative argument are for Risk Mitigation and wish them all the best.”

The Hon. Rachel Taylor, Minister of Education, Youth, Sports and Social Services, also shared her excitement, saying, “Our students’ commitment to ingenuity will be showcased as Precious Treasures School represents the country at this premier youth tourism debate.  I commend the dedication of the parents and coaches, who lend to this effort and wish TEAM TCI all the best of luck as they prepare to bring home the trophy.”

The public is cordially invited to follow the debate via the Ministry of Tourism’s social media platforms, including Facebook, to witness the intellectual prowess and engaging discourse showcased by the talented young debaters.

Continue Reading

Education

Champions for Christ International School of Excellence

Published

on

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 

Continue Reading

Bahamas News

Holmes Rock Junior High School on Track to Open in September

Published

on

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)

Continue Reading

Education

Belize Students Explore Cruise Careers Aboard Carnival Paradise

Published

on

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.

Continue Reading

FIND US ON FACEBOOK

TRENDING