18 NEWS
February 22 - 28, 2014
TURKS AND CAICOS WEEKLY NEWS
Poster and essay competition winners revealed BY DAISY HANDFIELD
THE WINNERS of the National Aids Programme poster and essay competition were announced at the Edward C Gartland Youth Centre in Providenciales on Monday (February 17). The competition was held under the theme ‘Getting to zero new infections, changing behaviours and saving lives’. First place for the essay competition went to Samra Arthur from the Oseta Jolly Primary School, second place Aletria Gardiner from Best Institute and third place Chelica Saint-Vil from Enid Capron Primary School. First, second and third in the poster competition came from Precious Treasures Primary School and were Nia Ewing, Giovanni Astwood and Zara Oudman, in respective order. The event is usually held in conjunction with the debate competition in November but Aldora
Robinson, HIV and STI coordinator for the National Aids Programme, said that it was separated to keep the topic relevant in people’s minds throughout the year. She said: “We decided to keep HIV at the forefront of people’s mind and the students, so instead of having the two activities together we moved the essay and poster competition.” Robinson said that every year she saw improvement in the content of the posters and the essays. “It shows that they are understanding and that they are doing the research that they are supposed to do. They are being guided by the teachers at the school.” This year the students were asked to research the information at home and work on it at school so that teachers could know that the students did it on their own. “We didn’t ask them to take it home where they can get assistance; we wanted them to do it at school so that we know that they did it.
First place winner of the essay competition, Samra Arthur from Oseta Jolly Primary School
“I am very impressed and pleased with the content and the way it was presented.” Robinson concluded by encouraging young and old people to get tested before becoming intimate with their partner. She said: “Something very brief that we would say is be true to you, you have a responsibility to yourself.
First place winner for poster competition, Nia Ewing from Precious Treasures Primary School
“Don’t expect that your partner is going to protect you more than you protect yourself. “You don’t know the person’s status and the only way to know is to get tested together, know the results together and test again in three months together for you to be sure and be true to one another.” Schools that participated in the
essay competition were, BEST Institute, Eliza Simmons, Wesley Methodist, Oseta Jolly, Enid Capron, Ianthe Pratt, Provo Christian Academy, Precious Treasures and Newman’s Prep. For the poster competition they were BEST Institute, Enid Capron, Oseta Jolly, Precious Treasures and Wesley Methodist.
Advisory group discusses criminal justice A GROUP of leading officials dedicated to the enhancement and promotion of criminal justice met for the first time last week. The TCI Criminal Justice Advisory Group will gather every four months to consider particular topics of interest across the criminal justice system. Together the body’s ten members will advise Governor Peter Beckingham on the implementation of his vital constitutional roles. “This new group will provide an opportunity to consider some of the most important strategic issues relating to the administration of criminal justice in this country,” Beckingham said. The Governor chaired the first meeting of the new group at his official residence Waterloo in Grand Turk on Tuesday, February 11. “Our first meeting allowed me to gather a range of views relating to juvenile justice which I found stimulating and informative,” he said. Other topics that will be discussed include the crime reduction strategy for the TCI, sentencing and non-custodial options, rehabilitation initiatives, juvenile justice, interventions for the mentally ill, victim and
witness support and training and professional development for officials. The effective and efficient administration and development of criminal justice in the Turks and Caicos Islands is the overall aim of the group Current membership includes Governor Peter Beckingham, a representative of the Premier’s Office (to be finalised), Acting Attorney General Rhondalee Knowles, Director of Public Prosecutions JoAnn Meloche, Chief Justice Edwin Goldsbrough, a member of the judiciary or senior court staff (to be finalised), Commissioner of Police Colin Farqhuar, Superintendent of Prisons Ian Sargent, Director of Social Development (to be finalised) and National Youth Director Angela Musgrove. The Governor is appointed by the Queen to be her representative and to carry out key duties to support the people of the Islands such as chairing Cabinet and ensuring the good governance of the territory. The constitution also reserved to the Governor responsibility for defence, external affairs, the regulation of international financial services, and internal security including the police force.
Winner Rebecca Archibold, teacher Ivorene Pitters and Minister of Education, Akierra Missick.
Precious Treasures champs of spelling bee AFTER two consecutive days of spelling Rebecca Archibald from Precious Treasures Primary School was declared overall champion of the 2014 National Primary School Spelling Bee competition. The finals for the event were held at Beaches Resort and Spa in Providenciales on Friday (February 14). Rebecca took home a laptop and printer from event sponsors after becoming the country’s top young speller. In second place was Mark Berthier from the Shining Stars Preparatory School and in third, Alex Swaby from Oseta Jolly Primary School. Precious Treasures teacher Ivorene Pitters said that it was a proud moment for not only Archibald, but also the school. She said she believed that because of the hard work Rebecca put in, she
was successful. “We encouraged her, it’s not always about winning, but it’s about doing her very best.” Rebecca was lost for words, so simply told the media that she felt good and that God had answered her prayers. During the preliminary event at Gustarvus Lightbourne Centre on Thursday (February 13), Rebecca was the only entrant who seemed to be relaxed. Mother of the winner Natasha Archibold said that preparation process was a challenging one because Rebecca in particular had so much going on, it was a lot for her. “At some points she was overwhelmed with spelling bee, projects, homework and GSAT so everything was a lot for her.” She went on to say that they tried
to balance everything as best as they could, but it was challenging for the family trying to balance her work, her social life and her spiritual life. “She came her by God’s grace to win today and holding on to his hand she did just that.” Schools that participated in the spelling bee were BEST Institute, Doris Robinson Primary School, Champions for Christ, Eliza Simons Primary School, Enid Capron Primary School, Holy Family Academy, Ianthe Pratt Primary School, Iris Stubbs Primary School, Mills Institute, Oseta Jolly Primary School, Precious Treasures School, Provo Christian School, Richmond Hill Preparatory, Shining Stars Preparatory and The Ashcroft School. The prizes for the other finalists included a Samsung tablet and a 16GB Kindle Fire each, courtesy of Caribbean Diamonds. (DH)