Cayman News
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Woman fallsfrom Camana Bay Tower
(CNS) Update 5:52pm Tuesday: The Royal Cayman Islands Police Service say that the woman who fell from the Observation Tower at Camana Bay this morning is a 42-year-old British national who is employed locally. She remains in critical condition at the Cayman Islands Hospital in George Town. The incident was reported to 911 at 9:42am on Tuesday, 2 July. A police spokesperson said the matter is under investigation by the CID but there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding the incident at this time.
Jobless: plight of Europe’s best-educated generation
(The Guardian): According to data out on Monday more than 5.5 million under-25s in Europe are without work, and the number rises inexorably every month. It's been called the "lost generation", a legion of young, often highly qualified people, entering a so-called job market that offers very few any hope of a job – let alone the kind they have been educated for. European leaders are rarely without a new initiative. Last week, they pledged to spend €6bn (£5bn) over two years to fund job creation, training and apprenticeships for young people in an attempt to counter a scourge that has attained historic proportions. This week, Angela Merkel is convening a jobs summit to address the issue.
Yet still the numbers mount up. In Greece, 59.2% of under-25s are out of work. In Spain, youth unemployment stands at 56.5%; in Italy, it hovers around 40%.
New president for Rotary Sunrise
(CNS): The Rotary Club of Grand Cayman Sunrise installed their 12th president, J.D. Mosley-Matchett, on Friday, 28 June, at Agua Restaurant. Dr Mosley-Matchett, who is the third woman to hold the title of president of the Rotary Sunrise club, is the Director of Graduate Studies and Professional Development at the University College of the Cayman Islands. Over 90 Rotarian members, Rotaract members and VIP guests made it out to the occasion to celebrate the event and support the continued good works of Rotary Sunrise. Among some of the honored guests were National Hero and Honorary Rotarian Sybil McLaughlin, Lion Pat Bazell-Taylor and Lion Belinda Blessitt-Vincent from the Lions Club of Tropical Garden as well as representatives from the local media.
In addition to the installation of the new president and board of directors, Rotary Sunrise inducted two new members to their club, Dorothy Crumbley and Victor Crumbley. Dorothy Crumbley is an Attorney at Law as Senior Counsel at Walkers Global. She was also the Charter President of the Rotaract Club of Grand Cayman and a member of the Young Caymanian Speakers Bureau. Victor Crumbley, anentrepreneur of a social marketing company, Dash Strategies, is also a charter member and Past President of the Rotaract Club of Grand Cayman. Victor was also a recent finalist in the 2013 Young Caymanian Leadership Awards.
Rotary Sunrise endeavors to continue their community support and goods works for local programs and initiatives into this new Rotary year.
UK’s Darwin Initiative gets £8m more for conservation
(CNS): The UK government has committed to setting aside £2 million for conservation projects in UK Overseas Territories and a further £6 million for such projects in developing countries under the continuing Darwin Initiative, which aims to help safeguard the world's biodiversity. The 14 overseas territories are home to an estimated 90% of the biodiversity found with in the UK and Territories. The series of initiatives, expected to start in April 2014, will focus on protecting wildlife and habitats but also supporting the local communities.
Following the funding announcement, the UK's Environment Minister, Richard Benyon, said, “Over the years the Darwin Initiative has funded many projects across the globe – from helping to protect the critically endangered Bengal Florican bird to supporting under-threat populations of rare animals like the pygmy hippopotamus. That is why I am so pleased to be able to announce a further £8 million to continue this legacy. This extra money will save many more vulnerable species while supporting the local communities who depend on them for their livelihoods.”
Since 1992, the Initiative has committed £97 million of funding to more than 800 projects in over 150 countries. Projects in the Overseas Territories, include lionfish control in the Caribbean, seabird monitoring in the southern ocean and a census of rare plants in St Helena.
Award reflects link between environment and tourism
(CNS): Kate Pellow, the Director of Development and Communications at the Central Caribbean Marine Institute (CCMI) was the 2013 recipient of CITA’s Stingray Award for Allied Manager of the Year – the first time a CCMI employee has been recognized at the awards. The link between marine research and environmental education is not often linked to tourism. However the tone of the awards ceremony, with a strong focus on sustainable tourism including the CEPTS programme, the Green Globe Awards and the inclusion of CCMI as an award winner is a striking and contemporary approach to the Islands’ tourism product.
CCMI was first established in 1998 and built their facility (opening fully) in 2006. Since then, over 100 visiting scientists, over 1000 college students and hundreds of local students have travelled to the Little Cayman Research Centre to study the marine environment in this ‘healthy’ coral reef ecosystem. The facility also holds weekly tours and weekly talks under the ‘Reef Lecture Series’, sharing our most up to date projects with tourists and locals alike. Whilst CCMI is a small organisation within the context of the hotel and watersports industry, ¾ of their funding is raised outside of the Cayman Islands and all of it is spent here, not only progressing our environmental goals which benefit local tourism but also supporting the local economy.
The real focus of the organization, however, is the long-term monitoring and improvement of coral reef health, providing critical information for future generations and conservation managers. CCMI’s research is always underpinned by outreach and education initiatives – helping to build local capacity and understanding on coral reef ecosystem threats and solutions. For Pellow, the inclusion of CCMI at the Stingray Awards is poignant for several reasons:
“I have been coming to the Cayman Islands since I was 16 (that’s a while ago). I completed both my bachelor and masters degree dissertations on ‘sustainable tourism in the Cayman Islands’; it is therefore a real honour to be included in the Stingray Awards, surrounded by people both past and present who have made the tourism product what it is today, many of whom I have written about in my academics or had the privileged of working with. The CCMI team work incredibly hard and I am forever being challenged to keep up with the emerging trends and data being produced by their research projects, I learn something new everyday. The team in Little Cayman and the CCMI Board are a real credit to the Cayman Islands, especially the tourism product, so this award is very much a recognition for all of us. I’m very proud to work with them all.”
BPW celebrates at Government House
(CNS): Members of the Business and Professional’s Women’s (BPW) Club gathered with guests in celebration at Government House on Thursday, 27 June, at a reception hosted by Governor Duncan Taylor. The club, which is to mark its 40th anniversary in the Cayman Islands in a couple of years, is a major non-governmental organisation advising government, particularly on women’s and gender affairs, according to a GIS release. Celebrations on Thursday centred around the Annie Huldah Bodden lecture by Laura Bates, who, at 26, has already carved a name for herself globally, dealing with women’s issues. Bates is the founder of the Everyday Sexism Project, which chronicles the gender inequality experiences of over 10,000 women.
Local activist Joannah Bodden-Small was also recognised with a certificate for earning international BPW accolades, for her push to establish gender equality legislation in the Cayman Islands.
Register students for government schools by 19 July
(CNS): Children entering government Reception classes in the 2013/2014 school year must be at least four years old before 1 September, and students entering Year 1 must be five years old by that date, a government release states. Registration for these and older students transferring into the government school system should be completed by 19 July for the child to be eligible to attend school at the start of the school year. Parents and guardians are urged to enrol as soon as possible to ensure that qualifying children have a place at their local school in September. Children registering after 19 July cannot be guaranteed space at their nearest school. Parents will receive notification from the school of their child’s placement for September.
Registration for government Reception is open for qualifying children aged 4 years 0 months before 1 September 2013. That means a child born between 1 September 2008 and 31 August 2009 is eligible for reception, and that he/she must have already turned 4 prior to September 2013.
The government schools that have reception classes are Sir John A Cumber Primary School; George Town Primary School; Prospect Primary School; Savannah Primary School; Bodden Town Primary School; North Side Primary School and East End Primary School on Grand Cayman and West End Primary School and Creek Primary School on Cayman Brac.
Registration for Year 1 in government schools is open for qualifying children aged 5 years 0 months before 1 September 2013. That means a child born between 1 September 2007 and 31 August 2008 is eligible for Year 1, and that he/she must have already turned 5 prior to September 2013.
Registration will take place at the Department of Education Services (GCM) and the Cayman Brac Teacher’s Centre (CB/LC). Parents may pick up registration forms at government schools, Department of Education Services, 130 Thomas Russell Way, George Town or the Cayman Brac Teacher’s Centre, Cayman Brac.
Whenthe form has been completed, it must be returned to the Department of Education Services or the Cayman Brac Teacher’s Centre, with a copy of the following documents attached:
- The child’s birth certificate
- The child’s immunization card
- Documentation of child’s residency category (i.e. birth certificate, passport, status letter/certificate, RS 101 form)
- Proof of address (mandatory) street name, house/apartment number, block number.
- Proof in the form of a utility bill (CUC or Water), lease or notarized letter from landlord if renting
- The last school year’s report (if the child is transferring from another school including private schools). In the case of transfer to John Gray High School or Clifton Hunter High
- School a transcript from the last school should be included.
The Department of Education Services Customer Service staff will check the documentation and determine the designated catchment area for the school assignment. Following approval by the Senior School Improvement Officer, the school secretary will make an appointment for a medical examination with the Public Health nurse. Parents can arrange for an examination from a private doctor. The medical examination must be completed before a child is enrolled.
Entry to Government Schools:
Priority for admission to Government schools is assigned as follows:
- Caymanians, with proof established by birth certificate, passport or status certificate
- Dependents of Caymanians
- Dependents of government employees
- Dependents of permanent residents
Class sizes are capped for Reception and Year 1 at 24 students and 28 for all other Year groups. Where maximum class sizes are exceeded within the school, spaces will be offered for qualifying students at the nearest school with available space. Spaces for categories 3 and 4 above will be reviewed following the 19 July closure of registration.
Payment of Fees:
All non-Caymanian students under approved categories must pay school fees at the following rates:
- Year 1-6 CI$250.00 per term or CI$ 750. 00 per year
- Year 7-9 CI$300.00 per term or CI$ 900.00 per year
- Year 10-12 CI$400.00 per term or CI$ 1,200.00 per year
Payment Locations
Cayman Brac/ Little Cayman residents: Cayman Brac Teachers Centre, CB/LC
Grand Cayman residents: Department of Education Services, 130 Thomas Russell Way, Rm # 2.
The Catchment Area for Government Primary Schools:
SIR JOHN A. CUMBER PRIMARY: North of Government House to Spanish Bay Reef to include all of West Bay.
GEORGE TOWN PRIMARY: South of Government House to Memorial Avenue, North along Walkers Road to Maple Road and East along Smith Road to Crewe Road airport junction. North on Airport Road, through the new Junction in the Industrial Park to include all areas North and East past the airport to North Sound.
RED BAYPRIMARY: Area on south side of memorial Avenue, along Walkers Road to Maple Road and South side of Smith Road, both sides of Crew Road bordered by Owen Robert Drive to the North and South Sound to the South Song Boarder on the east side Victory Avenue.
SAVANNAH PRIMARY: The East side of Spotts-Newlands Road to Beach Bay Road in Pedro including greater Pedro.
BODDEN TOWN PRIMARY: East of Beach Bay Road up to Breakers including Northward.
EAST END PRIMARY: East of the Frank Sound junction to include all of East End to Colliers.
NORTH SIDE PRIMARY: All of Frank Sound to Old Man Bay west to Cayman Kai.
PROSPECT PRIMARY: All area from Prospect Drive eastward to West side of Spotts-Newlands Road (to include all ofProspect Park, Patrick Island, Ocean Club, Mariners Cove, Cascades Drive and West side of Spotts-Newlands Road).
The Catchment Area for Government Secondary Schools:
JOHN GRAY HIGH SCHOOL: All areas West Side of Spotts-Newlands.
CLIFTON HUNTER HIGH SCHOOL: All areas East Side of Spotts- Newlands Road.
Cayman Prep student designs tournament logo
(CNS): Verity Byrne (11), a student at Cayman Prep School, created the winning design in a competition to find the official CONCACAF Under-15 Championship logo. Students across the island participated in the contest, and Verity’s logo, which features a sting ray, a marine creature emblematic of the host CONCACAF Member Association, was unveiled by the Confederation of North, Central America and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) and the Cayman Islands Football Association (CIFA) last week. The inaugural event will be held in Grand Cayman inAugust. “CONCACAF is organising the U15 Championship for the first time in the region,” said CONCACAF President Jeffrey Webb.
"This tournament is specially designed for our youth to enjoy our beautiful game. Therefore, our intention is to allow them to participate in the whole process of the competition so they can be co-creators of this wonderful experience. We are extremely gratified to be an outlet of expression for our youth’s wealth of creativity and enthusiasm.”
In celebrating the first-ever regional Championship event in the Cayman Islands, the contest called on students across the island to design their own logo for the competition. The competition was extended to over fifteen primary schools in Cayman and several students, ranging in age from six to eleven years old, submitted their own colorful and innovative designs, with Verity’s logo ultimately being chosen as the winner.
“The aim of the contest was to further celebrate the Under -15 Tournament being hosted in Cayman," said Bruce Blake, First Vice-President of CIFA. "We wanted to give our primary school students the opportunity to feel involved in the organisation of the tournament by allowing them to submit designs for the logo. I would like to thank all the schools that participated and the students who submitted designs.”
Cayman will host this year’s edition of the CONCACAF Under-15 Championship, the first regional championship held by the Confederation for young men at this level. Participating teams include Aruba, the Bahamas, Belize, Bermuda, the Cayman Islands, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Martinique, Puerto Rico, St Kitts, St Lucia, St Martin, St Maarten, St Vincent, Trinidad & Tobago, and the US Virgin Islands.
‘Blue Jack Night’ fundraiser for UWC scholarships
(CNS): The Cayman Islands Committee of the United World College will be holding their all-important annual fundraising initiative on Saturday 13 July. Organisers say 'Blue Jack Night' will be a fun-packed evening full of games, fantastic prizes and great entertainment, taking place from 7pm to 12am at the Art and Recreation Centre (ARC) at Camana Bay. UWC Cayman Islands is a charitable organisation that selects outstanding Caymanian students and provides them with full scholarship to attend various UWC campuses worldwide. The Cayman Islands chapter is a volunteer-run organization, and all fundraising and sponsorship directly funds the selected students. (Left: Tyleisha Galbraith, one of the two scholarship recipients this year)
Over the past 30 years, UWC Cayman Islands has sent over 60 students to schools teaching the rigorous International Baccalaureate Diploma academic programme. Upon graduation, UWC students often attend highly selective universities worldwide. Caymanian UWC alumni occupy many important positions both here and abroad, and include such notable individuals as Linburgh Martin, Lizzette Yearwood, Tara Rivers, Dorothy Scott, and others.
“UWC Cayman Islands is responsible for organising alumni events, community service projects and other outreach initiatives and fundraises, such as Blue Jack Night, to provide full scholarships to Caymanian UWC scholars,” said Charmaine McGowan, UWC Fundraising Administrator.
Tickets for 'Blue jack Night' are $50 and are available for purchase by calling 916-0839 or emailing uwccaymanislands@gmail.com
McGowan anticipates that attendees can expect a glittering event. Guests will be greeted by a Prosecco reception, followed by an evening of casino-style games. The evening will boast a silent auction and enticing door prizes, such as Cayman Airways tickets for two to Miami and a Blackberry Z10 phone courtesy of LIME. One hundred percent of the evenings proceeds go to funding scholarships for prospective students.
“We urge everyone to attend this fantastic evening and thereby support our efforts to help Caymanian students widen their horizons and further their prospects by becoming part of this worldwide educational force,” she said.
The UWC Cayman Islands Committee would like to express their thanks to the Blue Jack Night Gold Sponsors: Dart and Greenlight Re, whose vital support has helped to ensure that this popular event can happen again this year. Silver sponsors include: Island Heritage, Kensington Management Group Ltd, and Lions Productions. Bronze sponsors include A.L. Thompson's, Avalon Marine, BCQS International, Cayman Airways, GNC, Jacques Scott, LIME, MCS, Mourant Cayman Limited, Ogier, Tower Marketing, and Classic Printers.
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The search for War On Weight challengers begins
(CNS): The Cayman Heart Fund is now seeking contestants for the 6th annual War on Weight challenge. Ten selected applicants will have the opportunity to transform themselves into healthy individuals and battle the bulge in hopes of becoming this year’s WOW winner. The War on Weight (WOW) program educates participants on diet and fitness instilling the disciplines to maintain a balanced and healthy wellbeing after program completion. Many past “WOW-ers” continue to maintain their results and have a significant influence on family and friends to follow a healthier new regime.
For sixteen weeks beginning mid-August and ending just in time for the holidays, participants will dedicate themselves to obtaining optimal results under the supervision of health and fitness professionals and through the program's five components.
Fitness: Six hours mandatory programme, which will include a wide range of group instruction and activities, as well as access to a fitness centre.
Nutrition: A customized meal plan and consultations with a licensed dietician.
Medical: Health screening, blood testing and monitoring by physicians and accompanying supporters.
Psychology: Group counseling sessions provided by a certified therapist.
Education: Informative seminars and workshops.
In addition, participants will also commit to our community portion called “Pay it Forward”. Contestants represent WOW in media appearances, expos, and fundraisers to help promote the contest, as well as assist with charity and community efforts.
Cayman Heart Fund chairman, David Dinner, said the competition is designed for those who really have a heartfelt desire to make a change and lead a healthier lifestyle.
“For sixteen weeks challengers have access to a wide range of expert advisors all dedicated to helping them achieve smart lifelong goals," he said. "Getting involved in our competition is the kick-start many people need to make the change to a healthier lifestyle. Since 2008, the WOW competition has increased the awareness and the importance of living a healthy lifestyle and exercising regularly to decrease Cayman’s growing obesity problem.”
Funded by the Cayman Heart Fund, a non-profit organization dedicated to the reduction of heart and circulatory disease in the Cayman Islands, War on Weight has helped over fifty contestants lose over 1,500 pounds and learn the essentials to a permanent healthy lifestyle since its launch in 2008.
For more information about the War on Weight challenge and to apply for 2013 War on Weight visit www.wowcayman.ky and follow us on Facebook. Deadline for applications is Saturday, 3 August.