(CNS): Three schools shared in the $12,000 prize at this year’s Joanna Clarke Excellence in Education Award on Saturday (22 May). Cayman Prep and High School, George Town Primary School and John Gray High School walked away with grants of $4000for their various educational initiatives at the awards diner hosted by the dms organization. Cayman Prep and High won for its marine science programme, George Town for its Digital Visual Media Club and John Grey won for its SCUBA club. The other finalists recognized at the ceremony and their proposed initiatives included Bodden Town Primary School – Beyond School and The Wellness Centre – Autism in the Classroom.
Cayman Prep and High School recently introduced a marine science programme as an A-level two-year course of sufficiently high standard which can be used for advanced credit at North American universities. The funds will aid in furthering efforts to offer students a host of off-site excursions, providing invaluable hands-on experience for students. The schools head of Science, Jason Nehra said the school would work hard to ensure that the award is used to maximize its positive impact.
Offering students insight to the world of media,George Town Primary School introduced a Digital Visual Media Club which equips students with necessary skills to integrate literacy with media. The grant will assist in continuing to teach students proficiency in various digital, visual, broadcasting and photojournalism applications, as well as the opportunity to explore careers in the relevant industry.
John Gray High School, also a JCA winner in 2008, entices students with its John Gray High School Scuba Diving Club. The club seeks to heighten awareness for environmental and marine conservation, and the funds will contribute towards purchasing equipment to make diving more accessible to students after they have completed their open-water dive course.
dms also announced the first recipient for the scholarship fund, Krishan Welcome the firm said it will make an annual award of at least $1,000 KYD to Caymanians or those with permanent residency who are currently in the education field or aspiring to enter. An established lawyer in the Cayman Islands, hopes to redirect her energy from a career in law and pursue a teaching degree to one day explore her passion to influence young minds. Welcome was awarded $2,500 KYD as well as being chosen to continue as the 2011 scholarship recipient.
Thirteen applications were made this year for the JCAs and the committee narrowed the pool of adown to five finalists whom they then invited to give an oral presentation outlining their project and demonstrating how their proposed projects satisfied the criteria.
JCA Member Krista Pell said the point of the award is to ensure the energies of young people are directed towards positive activities. Pell thanked all of the applicants and everyone who came out to show their support and said the number of applications was increasing each year.
“The award started with a belief that our children, who represent our future, are a worthy investment in the well being of our community. dms believes in the importance of corporate social responsibility, and this award is part of our ongoing commitment to recognize deserving initiatives that focus on our youth and provides them the support to succeed,” President of dms Don Seymour said.
