The Comet Connection - Issue 09

Issue No. 9 September 2021

Queen’s College Alumni Association

The Comet Connection “...connecting legends to the glorious future”

September 2021 Q Notes 2

Alumni in Action

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QC Staff Training

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From the Desk of the Principal

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CFE Highlights

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Barry Cares

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First National Family Week

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PTA NOTICE

ATHLETICS Find out more about Samson Colebrook (Class of 2016) and his journey to the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Meet the PTA.

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Queen’s College

“...connecting legends to the glorious future”

Alumni Association

Q’ NOTES: PTA PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE congratulates our students - those that excelled in the National Exams and those who graduated in June. Please know that we wish you every success in the future. Follow the continued educational opportunities before you and remain in contact with the family of friends made during your time at QC.

Adrian White President Queen’s College Parent Teacher Association

Within every season, there is time to reflect, recharge and set goals. This summer, our student body enjoyed a break from a year that provided continued challenges for face-toface learning. The teachers and administrative body did an excellent job. Parents can be satisfied.

The new Board of the Queen’s College PTA, elected on May 25th,

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Coordinator), Adia Deveaux, Franz Brown and Kimiko Knowles (volunteer teachers), and Naurel Dean-Watkins (Volunteer Parent) all join in welcoming the student leaders of QC 2021-2022 academic year.

Parents, teachers, guidance counsellors, and alum, I hope you enjoyed your summer; let us now come together and deliver an exceptional year of education and fun.

We must never forget the youngest among us and those that came before to light the way.

The late Reverend Charles Sweeting’s legacy will be an inspiration for all Comets. He gave of We will be together in-person again; stay himself in service. encouraged as you learn and interact virtually until then.

As President of the PTA, I challenge the QC family reading this to be the example in our nation Sincerely yours, by observing best practices and confronting Adrian White obstacles in your path. Opportunities are President – QC PTA always around, and hardships never last.

My fellow Board members, Keiani WorrellThompson (Vice President), Calliope CouchellWilson (Secretary), Roseanne Johnson (Assistant Secretary), Denard Cleare (Treasurer, Heather Green (Assistant Treasurer), Christina Allen (Chaplain), Amanda Wells, (Foundation Years Representative: Deputy Head), Turkessa Hepburn, (Teacher Representative: High School Science) D’Ondré Miller (Development

#WeAreForeverComets

Issue No. 9 | September 2021

QC STAFF: LIFE-LONG LEARNING

QC Teachers participate in a three-day training program in ‘7 Habits of Highly Effective People’ by Dr Stephen R Covey.

7 HABITS TRAINING

Queen’s College Teachers, Administrators and general staff began the 2021-2022 academic year with a refresher session and certification course on the 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Dr Stephen R Covey. The training is the foundational component in the instruction of the LeaderInMe process, which is a principle mindset in the culture of excellence at Queen’s College. (Pictured above: Principal Knowles shared a devotional with the staff, entitled “Water In A Thirsty Land”, using the biblical story of the woman at the well as an analogy.)

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Queen’s College

“...connecting legends to the glorious future”

Alumni Association

CFE HIGHLIGHTS

CFE is now accepting registrants for the fall semester. Courses cover a range of subjects that focus on business and leadership, education, personal growth and development and student enrichment. Visit the CFE website for more information on the courses that are being offered and to view the Fall 2021 course calendar.

PTA NOTICE 4

Meet the PTA via Zoom on Tuesday, 14 September at 6:00 p.m

#WeAreForeverComets

Issue No. 9 | September 2021

FAMILY WEEK The 1st National Family Week for The Bahamas was held 25 - 30 July 2021 and celebrated ways in which resilient families provide stability in neighbourhoods, communities, and nations.

Organiser Cheryl Walkine (1985 Queen’s College Alumna) describes the week as a blessing. As a McFAM (Marriage Children Family Alliance Movement) Advocate. National Family Week is celebrated in many countries around the world on an annual basis. Other organisations that supported the week-long event included the Ministry of Social Servies and Urban Development, Department of Gender and Family Affairs, Urban Renewal Commission. Community Affairs Division, Bahamas Crisis Centre, and other organisations including civil society, private sector, NODCI (National Organisation Development Connections International), and other Family Organisations.

The theme of the event was Developing A National Sustainable Economy through Strong Families. The event loaned itself to families, having an opportunity to honour the family unit and promote policies, programs, and projects that would empower dysfunctional families and affect ways individuals might collaborate and contribute to a brighter future for The Bahamas.

The week was filled with activities and training events (including an overview of Dr Stephen R Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Successful Families, facilitated through the Queen’s College Centre for Further Education) that were fun learning opportunities that promoted sharing knowledge and implementing features that supported economic growth.

Prime Minister of The Bahamas, The Honourable Dr Hubert A Minnis, signed the proclamation for the inaugural National Family Week on Thursday, 22 July 2021.

Video of the Key Note Address given by the Hon. Jeffrey Lloyd, Minister of Education. Video courtesy of NOD Connections International.

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Queen’s College

“...connecting legends to the glorious future”

Alumni Association

Image courtesy of Dmitry - stock.adobe.com

Samson Colebrook

Class of 2016 (King House)

ATHLETICS Samson Colebrooke came to Queen’s College, as a scholarship recipient, in Grade 11. He recalls that his first memory of the QC experience was an interaction with guidance counselor Mr Reuben Mounts. oOf the encounter, Samson remembers, “not having a necktie...he gave me one.”

Today he enjoys what he does and credits the Queen’s College community, expressing that each teacher he encountered between 2014-2016 did their part in his life and for his part he thanks them and thinks they have done a great job.

Samson spent his time at Queen’s College in the King sports house, (named for American Civil Rights Activist Dr Martin Luther King Jr). His most profound memory of this part of his QC life is winning the 2015 and 2016 BAISS (Bahamas Association of Independent Secondary Schools) track and field competition.

While at Queen’s College Samson’s passions were God and track; he enjoyed meeting new people and experiencing the varying array of classes QC had to offer.

His time at Queen’s College helped him to understand that there was no advantage in stressing over things and that success came from focusing on his education and life goals and having the drive to keep pushing forward.

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Samson Colebrook - 4x100M Relay Tokyo Olympics 2020

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Issue No. 9 | September 2021

ALUMNI IN ACTION

Cheryl Walkine - NOD Connections International (1st National Family Week Organiser) What year did you graduate from Queen’s College?

1985 In which Sports House where you place (Dyer Heath King Rogers)?

Heath What were your interests while you were a student at Queen’s College?

Student Christian Movement What are your interests today?

Today, I am chiefly engaged in building capacity in Family Life, Self-sufficiency, providence, and Life-long spiritual and secular education. I am currently working toward a degree in Marriage and Family Studies, online. I hope to one day attain a doctorate in Organizational Development and Leadership. My passion and advocacy are anchored in the words of Elder Neal A. Maxwell, “God does not begin by asking us about our ability, but only about our availability and if we then prove our dependability, He will increase our capability...It’s service, NOT status, that counts.”

What made you decide to become a QC parent (that is, to enrol your children at Queen’s College)?

I have no biological children but often encourage others to consider Queen’s College because of its enduring, notable legacy of producing highly contributory citizens in The Bahamas.

When did you start working, and what made you decide to share your talents with McFAM? My professional work journey started during the late 80s, in the training and development arena. This is the sphere I have continued to gravitate toward, whether it was in my entrepreneurial pursuits, spiritual devotions, or the insurance, HR management, food service or communications fields. In 2020, I founded National Organization Development (NOD) Connections International, in response to Hurricane Dorian and the onslaught of Covid19. A focus of the organization, through its MCFAM (Marriage, Children, Family Alliance Movement) initiative, focuses on bringing family life, providence, self-sufficiency, and human relations education to the Bahamian public as a means of strengthening individual’s resilience capacity.

Cheryl Walkine - Organiser of the 1st National Family Week What was the deciding factor in accepting your position with NOD Connections International?

In answering the call to lead this organization is my belief that developing individuals, families, my brothers, and sisters is the work of God, and each is a child of God. I am humbled to be intimately involved in this work during the time.

What is the most memorable day in your life on the QC Campus?

A most memorable day at QC was when I was recognized in the areas of Achievement and Effort in 10th grade school performance.

I now understand more than I did during my high school years the importance of an effort grade in encouraging students to continue trying in the development of a growth-mindset.

What is your philosophy to maintain a healthy work-life balance?

One must be intentionally mindful of achieving a delicate balance to wholeness of person by appropriately connecting orderly with God, family, work, community, and self. I am continually motivated by lyrics of the song learned as a child, “J-esus and O-thers and Y-ou, what a wonderful way to spell JOY! What would you say are the main areas in which QC has informed who you are today?

My connection and pride in being a graduate of a premiere, highly reputable institution that delivers quality education has heighten my sense of responsibility in similarly contributing to the Comet pride and Bahamian community.

What teacher(s) stands out in your experience at Queen’s College and why?

Mr. Alexander Roberts.

He was my homeroom teacher. His disciplined style that held a high standard of excellence helped me to raise the bar in my performance and pursuits. Mr. Roberts made me acquainted with two truths that continue to resonate with me: “There is always room for improvement!” and “Time wasted can never be regained” Mrs. Johnson (at the time, a Caribbean-born substitute teacher) had a profound impact. She was always kind, compassionate, and concerned about me personally, particularly at times when my selfesteem was low. I felt a special connection with her.

The Galaxy now has an online store.

Skip the lines and purchase your textbooks online.

Home delivery also available via Mutru Delivery.

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Queen’s College Alumni Association

“...connecting legends to the glorious future”

FROM THE DESK OF THE PRINCIPAL August 22, 2021 Dear Queen’s College Family, I would like to warmly welcome you back to what promises to be an exciting new school year. I trust everyone was able to find time to rest, renew and reconnect with family and friends. In just a matter of days, we will welcome new and returning students and staff to Queen’s College.

As you may be aware, The Ministry of Education released a statement to advise that all public schools will open using virtual learning. The Ministry also met with leaders of private schools and implored independent schools to do the same. Our healthcare system is currently overwhelmed with COVID 19 illnesses to the extent that traditional medical situations cannot be adequately addressed. The challenges of the past 18 months have not been easy, but fortunately, the Queen’s College community has shown that it is able to pivot and excel, regardless of the circumstances.

Please be advised that, following the recommendations of The Ministry of Education and The Ministry of Health, all grade levels at Queen’s College will open using full online learning. An assessment will be made in mid-September to confirm a safe return to campus.

We are aware that many families with young students are challenged with virtual classes; therefore, we will seek permission from The Ministry of Education to allow Foundation Years to have on-campus classes. Once approved, parents will be informed of the additional health and safety measures and arrangements that will be implemented for Foundation Years to return to campus.

Over the next few days, information will be provided by each school section to outline the process of orientation for new students, students’ timetables, book sales, updates to online class procedures, parents’ information sessions and other pertinent information.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, Queen’s College has followed the science in protecting students, staff, and their families. This necessitated the implementation of firm health and safety protocols, the quarantining of class groups and even the complete shutdown of our campus. This school year, our resolve remains the same, as we double-down on preventative safety measures, especially given the heightened COVID-19 levels on New Providence.

Many in the frontline of COVID-19 response and health care management are QC alumni and parents of the school. We thank them for their selfless service. On behalf of our Board of Governors, our administrators and staff, we also offer heartfelt condolences to our staff and students who have lost loved ones to COVID-19. We also continue to pray for those among us who have battled with the virus.

Remember to follow safe community practices and adhere to the important public health protocols, at all times. With respect to the vaccines, the science is clear: They have proven to be enormously effective in fending off infection and, in ‘breakthrough’ cases, preventing serious illness and even possible hospitalization. In this regard, we strongly urge all staff, eligible students, and their families to become fully vaccinated. Ending the pandemic is the collective responsibility of us all – together, working seamlessly as one unit.

We are very excited about what lies ahead for us at Queen’s College. We look forward to continuing to work with you as we anticipate another successful, new school year.

Best regards, Rev. Henry Knowles Principal

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#WeAreForeverComets

Issue No. 9 | September 2021

BARRY CARES

Barry University Adsoe’s Care Center Comes to Queen’s College

The Queen’s College Centre for Further Education expands its relationship with Barry University by hosting the Adsoe’s Care Center. The Care Center will provide counselling support to individuals, families and couples.

Counselling services focus on enhancing clients’ strengths and resources. Their mission is to work collaboratively with clients to assist them in discovering creative solutions to their unique problems.

Clients are seen by treatment teams consisting of students and faculty members of the Barry University Counseling Program, including Licensed Family and Mental Health Counselors. All students are completing either a Master’s or PhD degree in Counseling.

For more information or an appointment, please contact: Bahamas Toll-Free Number: 1-833 642 5080 or email care-center@barry.edu.

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Queen’s College

“...connecting legends to the glorious future”

Alumni Association

May fond memories of your loved one bring you comfort during this hard time in your life. Our heart and prayers go out to you and your family.

We keep in our prayers: Mrs. Sherry Allen (Accounts Department) on the passing of her husband, Mr. Martin Allen.

Mrs. Melanie Cartwright (Grade 3 Teacher) on the passing of her husband, Mr Leonard Cartwright.

Miss Nakera Cooper (Foundation Years Teacher) whose father, Nelson Cooper, passed away.

Mrs. Joiclyn Taylor (Vice Principal, Head of Foundation Years) on the passing of her fatherin-law, Mr. Hubert Taylor Sr. Miss Lamicka Thompson (Assistant Manager, The Galaxy) on the passing of her father Mr. Thomas Thompson.

Please contact the Queen’s Colege Alumni Association Board for information you wish to share with your Queen’s College family and friends. You can also call us at 829-5164.

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#WeAreForeverComets

Issue No. 9 | September 2021

PLANNING YOUR LEGACY

Giving back to Queen’s College through your estate shows your confidence in QC and the Methodist principles on which the school was founded. Legacy giving provides you and your family the opportunity to have a transformative impact on students lives and be intentional in providing support to areas that mean the most to you. To learn more about the new QC Legacy Society and legacy giving at Queen’s College, please contact D’Ondre Miller, the Development Coordinator, at dmiller@qchenceforth.com.

bequest that will provide financial benefits to the community.

When you consider leaving a bequest to Queen’s College, suggested wording might be: I give and bequeath to the Board of Governors of Queen’s College Holdings Limited, New Providence The Bahamas the sum of $___________ or ________% or ________shares of my estate Your decision to give back through a legacy gift might be in recognition of the impact Queen’s College and its staff have had on your life or as an expression of your gratitude for your experiences while a student, staff member, parent or friend of the school. You might also choose QC as the institution to pay forward the aid you received from a benefactor. As a Comet, you will have many reasons to choose from to remember your school in your estate plans. We are humbled by every one of them and thank you for the charitable

6th Grade student learning to fly a kite for Cross Curriculum Learning.

ANNUAL FUND SUPPORTS EXCELLENCE: Comet Nation, Queen’s College needs you now more than ever.

Gifts to the Queen’s College Annual Fund helps to support the school’s mission and allows the school to direct your gift to the areas of the school’s greatest need. Your donation will provide for the high quality, impactful education that Queen’s College has come to be known.

The greatest needs within the school would include those high priority initiatives such as curriculum enhancement such as the LeaderInMe and STEAM (Science Technology Engineering Arts and Math) Moving learning beyond the classroom to include practical experience. Your annual fund donation will also increase the financial assistance available to QC students.

The past two academic years have been difficult for us all; donations to the annual fund are needed more than ever to help offset the costs associated with pursuing and developing a quality education at Queen’s College.

Please send your Annual Fund gift today and support your school in continuing its service to our students and the wider community.

ANNUAL GIVING Mail: Cheque payable to Queen’s College C/O The Development Office Queen’s College P. O. Box N-7127 Village Road Nassau, N.P. The Bahamas Website: www.qchenceforth.com/donate Call: (242)-677-7639 or 829-5164

Contact your Alumni Association The purpose of the Association is to assist in the promotion, education, and advocacy at and for Queen’s College, with particular regard to those things that encourage excellence. With contribution to the prusuit of good character, spiritual grounding and educational excellence; there is alignment with the vision, mission, goal, and character of Queen’s College.

Admin Office

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Phone: (242) 829 5164 E-mail: alumni@qccomets.com Website: qchenceforth.com/alumni