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SENS Department Completes Another Successful Multidisciplinary Assessment Visit Across TCI  

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Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands – Tuesday, 1 July 2025: The Special Education Needs Services (SENS) Department of the Ministry of Education, Youth, Sports and Culture, recently welcomed a visiting team from the One World Foundation, a non-profit organisation committed to equitable access to assessments and therapeutic services for children with special needs. Over the course of one week, the team conducted comprehensive multidisciplinary assessments — including speech-language, behavioural, and occupational evaluations — for thirty-one students (31) children throughout the Turks and Caicos Islands.

This marks another collaboration with One World Foundation and builds on the government’s commitment to expanding early identification and intervention services. The visiting team worked closely with local clinicians to assess and support students who have been awaiting services, allowing families to gain clarity and direction on their children’s developmental needs.

“This initiative represents the heart of what we aim to do at SENS,” said Dr. Anya Malcolm-Gibbs, Director of Special Education Needs Services. “Bringing together experts from multiple disciplines helps us give children the well-rounded, timely support they deserve. The partnership with One World Foundation allows us to address gaps in access and make real strides toward inclusive education across the islands.”

The assessments were held in Providenciales, Grand Turk, and South Caicos, allowing for wide-reaching impact. Dozens of students received evaluations, and parents were given feedback and guidance for next steps, including referrals for therapy and support strategies for home and school.

“It was an honor to coordinate this visit and see the transformation in so many of our students,” said Mrs. Lashaunda Skippings, Coordinator of Assessments. “For some families, this was the first time their child was evaluated, and the relief, hope, and gratitude were deeply moving. We look forward to building on this momentum.”

Minister of Education Hon. Rachel M. Taylor praised the initiative, noting the vital importance of early diagnosis and intervention in national development: “As a ministry, we remain steadfast in our investment in the future of every child. These assessments not only empower families, but also equip our schools to better serve all learners. We are proud of the work of the SENS department and grateful to One World Foundation for joining hands with us in this mission.”

The SENS Department extends sincere appreciation to One World Foundation and looks forward to continued collaboration aimed at strengthening access to high-quality special education and therapeutic services across Turks and Caicos. For more information on the SENS Department and their services, you can contact sens@gov.tc.

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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