Successful End to TCI Hospitality Adventure's Summer Camps
July was extra special and exciting for a group of young adults who were all eager to be a part of TCI Hospitality Adventure's ever popular annual Summer Camps.
The Adventure Programme which was implemented by TCHTA to enrich and enhance the national development of TCI's tourism product continue to grow year after year, attracting a tremendous interest from students across the islands and of all ages. This year three Camps were facilitated by TCI Hospitality Adventure through TCHTA over a four week period and gave the kids hands on experience and left them with a wealth of knowledge about the destination's top industry.
Jr. Lit'l Chefs Camp, Spa Camp and Jr. Mechanics Camp were all a hit with the participants as they travelled throughout Providenciales and even journeyed to Parrot Cay to learn about different day to day operations in the industry. Jr. Lit'l Chefs Camp saw twelve (12) budding chefs creating, naming and decorating desserts with their mentors at Parrot Cay Resort in addition to making pita bread and pizza with the Crust Bakery team, touring Graceway IGA supermarket along with other activities which allowed them to show off their culinary skills. Up next was the Spa Camp which was organised by Meryl Cooper of Spa Tropique, giving eleven (11) participants the opportunity to visit various spas including Regent Palms Spa, Red Lane Spa, Exhale Spa, Spa Troqiue, Amanyara among others. Automotive Art then had the pleasure of organising the Jr. Mechanics Camp which included classroom sessions on the automotive industry along with a tour of the facility and a demonstration on the anatomy of a gas combustion engine.
Stacy Cox, TCHTA's Executive Director and TCI Hospitality Adventure's Committee Member who joined the kids on some of their tours noted, "What better way to spend the summer than learning about stuff you love and have a passion for. I had the opportunity to join the Jr. Lit'l Chefs as they prepared appetizers with Ian Ongjoco, winner of the Lit'l Chefs team competition last year and Wayne Garland, 2013 Lit'l Chef participant who is now attending culinary school in England. The last day of the Camp was remarkable as we held a miniature competition among the students which saw them creating culinary masterpieces."
Cox added, "As the interest in the Camps grows each year we the Committee will continue to ensure that they remain relevant, providing the students with an experience next to none, an experience which allows them to see what our industry workers do daily during their working life. Some of the kids are actually "repeat-participants", which shows us that we are doing something right."
TCHTA expressed special thanks to Parrot Cay Resort and Spa, Seven Stars Resort, Graceway IGA, Crust Bakery, Villa del Mar, Royal West Indies Resort, Blue Haven Resort, Chef Thomas Musson, Spa Tropique, Regent Palms, Red Lane Spa (Beaches), Exhale Spa ( Gansevoort),Amanyara, Grace Bay Club, Grace Bay Car Rentals/Thrifty and Automotive Art.
Is there a Link between video games & violence ?
More than 200 academics have signed an open letter criticising controversial new research suggesting a link between violent video games and aggression.
The findings were released by the American Psychological Association.
It set up a taskforce that reviewed hundreds of studies and papers published between 2005 and 2013.
The American Psychological Association concluded while there was "no single risk factor" to blame for aggression, violent video games did contribute.
"The research demonstrates a consistent relation between violent video game use and increases in aggressive behaviour, aggressive cognitions and aggressive affect, and decreases in pro-social behaviour, empathy and sensitivity to aggression," said the report.
"It is the accumulation of risk factors that tends to lead to aggressive or violent behaviour. The research reviewed here demonstrates that violent video game use is one such risk factor."
However, a large group of academics said they felt the methodology of the research was deeply flawed as a significant part of material included in the study had not been subjected to peer review.
"I fully acknowledge that exposure to repeated violence may have short-term effects - you would be a fool to deny that - but the long-term consequences of crime and actual violent behaviour, there is just no evidence linking violent video games with that," Dr Mark Coulson, associate professor of psychology at Middlesex University and one of the signatories of the letter told the BBC.
"If you play three hours of Call of Duty you might feel a little bit pumped, but you are not going to go out and mug someone."
The question about whether violent games inspire violent behaviour "in real life" is a subject that strongly divides opinion.
Source:BBC
Ifeanyi Otuonye left Sunday for IAAF World Championships in Beijing, China.
Long jump bronze medalist, Ifeanyi Otuonye left Sunday for Beijing China where he will represent the Turks and Caicos Islands in the Long Jump event at the IAAF World Championships in Beijing, China.
Accompanying him are Coach Alvirto Ali Smith and President of TCAAA, Edith Skippings.
Both are excited and confident of chances at medaling at this event.
Bailey-Cole saddened by injury that rules him out of World Champs
JAMAICA'S technical leader Maurice Wilson could not contain his disappointment with Kemar Bailey-Cole's injury and what he claims are inflammatory statements being made by detractors.
"We are extremely disappointed about the absence of Bailey-Cole from the relay squad, and that is why persons must allow the technical staff to do its job and stop making fabricated statements without the facts," said Wilson.
However, Wilson did not expand on who made statments or what the fabricated statements were.
Bailey-Cole, the reigning Commonwealth Games 100m champion, tore his hamstring in training on Saturday and had to pull out of the World Championships.
The 23-year-old, who belongs to the Racers Track Club, the same as Usain Bolt and Yohan Blake, last raced on July 24 at the London Diamond League, finishing third behind Bolt in a personal best of 9.92 seconds. However, he eased up at the end of the race, suspected of suffering cramps.
Following his injury at the training camp in Tottori, Japan, Bailey-Cole posted his disappointment on his Facebook page.
"It is with bitter emotions that I am announcing that my season has come to an end. I will not be competing at the World Championships. This is so, as an ongoing cramp to both hamstrings at the London Anniversary Games now lead to one of them being torn yesterday (Aug 15, 2015) in practice. Thank you all for your thoughtfulness. Your generosity and support during this difficult time is greatly appreciated," Bailey-Cole wrote.
Bailey-Cole, who finished third at Jamaica's National Senior Championship and booked his place to Beijing, has been replaced by Nesta Carter in the 100m individual event.
Bailey-Cole will also be missed in the 4x100 relay where he has established himself, striking gold at the 2012 London Olympics, 2013 Moscow World Championship and 2014 Commonwealth Games.
Jason Day wins US PGA Championship at Whistling Straits
Australian Jason Day won his first major title with a record score of 20 under par at the US PGA Championship.
The 27 year old Day, shot a closing 67 at Whistling Straits on Sunday to record the lowest total at one of golf's four majors.
The world number five saw off a chasing pack that included Masters and US Open champion Jordan Spieth, who finished three shots back in second place.
That was enough to ensure the American, 22, replaces Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy, 26, as world number one.
South African Branden Grace was third on 15 under and Justin Rose of England finished fourth on 14 under after his challenge faded with a double bogey on the 13th.
McIlroy closed with a 69 to end his first tournament back from an ankle injury at nine under par.
Two Armed Robbery Suspects Shot Dead By Police After Car Chase
TWO MEN are dead and another in critical condition in hospital after a shootout with police following a high-speed car chase early on Sunday morning.
The men were suspects in a number of armed robberies and had earlier stolen a car. The shootout took place on Balfour and Claridge Roads.
According to police reports, shortly after 5am, a man was driving in his white Honda Fit on East Street near Robinson Road, when three males, two of whom were armed with handguns and another with a knife, robbed him of his car and drove off.
Police immediately sent out an All-Points Bulletin (APB) for the vehicle. Officers on patrol then spotted the car in the Robinson Road area. A chase ensued that ended on Balfour and Claridge Roads, where the vehicle crashed into a utility pole.
Three male suspects got out and opened fire on police. Police returned fire, fatally shooting two of the suspects. The other was rushed to hospital, where he remains in critical condition. Police recovered the stolen vehicle, two handguns and a knife from the scene.
Police suspect the three males to be responsible for a number of armed robberies over the past weeks and confirmed that one of the suspects is being electronically monitored and is on bail for a serious offence.
The Coroner, Jeanine Weech-Gomez, visited the scene and is now leading the investigation.
Two arrested in the Bahamas after posting images of guns and drugs on social media
Police have arrested a man who posted photographs online of a baby with a gun and drugs on his lap, as well as a woman who was seen in pictures carrying a high-powered assault firearm, warning citizens who use social media in this way that they would not be able to hide.
The 20-year-old woman was held yesterday for questioning in relation to firearm possession.
Lawmen said her arrest was a result of an investigation launched after several photos were posted on various social media sites.
The detention of a 26-year-old man in connection with the other controversial posts came earlier in the week.
The image of an infant with a handgun – captioned “Daddy buy me a new toy” – and another showing him with a package of what appeared to be marijuana on his lap, had been making the rounds on Facebook and WhatsApp, prompting police to initiate a search for the person responsible.
The suspect was arrested shortly after 11 o’clock on Tuesday night.
“Police are issuing a stern warning to social media users who break the law that they will be tracked down and be dealt with robustly, according to the law,” a statement from the Royal Bahamas Police Force said.
DEPUTY ATTORNEY GENERAL APPOINTED AS HIGH COURT JUDGE
TCI’s Attorney General Rhondalee Braithwaite-Knowles has offered words of congratulations to her deputy, who has been offered a position in the Caribbean.
Deputy Attorney General Mrs. Wynante (WIN-NANT) Mary Adrien-Roberts has been appointed as High Court Judge of the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court and has been assigned to Grenada. She assumes office on September 1, 2015.
"I am delighted that Ms. Adrien Roberts' elevation to the High Court bench in the Eastern Caribbean has now been announced," said Attorney General Rhondalee Braithwaite-Knowles.
"She is a terrific example of a well-developed legal mind and in her short tenure in my Chambers, colleagues have benefitted tremendously from her many years of public sector legal experience. We are sorry to see her leave but also very pleased for her good news. I congratulate her on attaining the pinnacle of the legal profession and wish her well. She will be a very good judge," AG Knowles added.
When contacted Mrs. Adrien-Roberts said she is very thankful for the opportunity, albeit brief, to have served the people of the Turks and Caicos Islands in the capacity of Deputy Attorney General.
“I will always cherish the time that I spent here in TCI in particular at the Attorney General's Chambers. I was blessed to be part of the stellar team comprising of legal and administrative staff led by the Honourable Attorney General. I thank them for embracing and supporting me," said Ms. Roberts.
Mrs. Adrien-Roberts holds a Bachelor of Laws Degree from the University of the West Indies, a Master of Laws Degree from the George Washington University Law School and the Certificate of Legal Education (LEC) from Norman Manley and is a former President of the Dominica Bar Association.
“LIVE YOUR GOALS”
The Turks & Caicos Islands Football Association (“TCIFA”) is pleased to announce its launch of the FIFA football festival “Live Your Goals” campaign. The launch will take place on Saturday August 15th, 2015 at 9am at the TCIFA’s National Academy (located behind Graceway IGA).
The FIFA Live Your Goals is a four year campaign committed to:
• Increasing the popularity of women’s football locally, nationally and globally;
• Sparking, fostering and generating excitement about women’s football;
• Increasing participation of girls and women in football;
• Creating the best platforms for women’s football to thrive with more females becoming lifelong participants in the sport; and
• Ensuring that football is the number one sport for females across the globe in terms of participation and popularity.
Candace Hanchell, Executive Member responsible for Women’s Football, says with these efforts, TCIFA is committed to FIFA’s vision of increasing the number of girls and women participants from 30 million to 45 million by FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019.
The TCIFA’s ambassadors of the “Live Your Goals” campaign are:
• Olivia Gravely, TCIFA’s coaching development officer and current women’s national team player;
• Sarah Cenary, former TCIFA’s youth coach and current women’s national team player; and
• Christma Jean Louis, TCIFA’s assistant referee and current women’s national team player.
President of TCIFA, Sonia Bien-Aime is expected to declare the event open at 9:00am.
Gleaming with anticipation and excitement, Ms. Hanchell, said that “the TCIFA is happy to extend an open invitation to all 6 to 12 year old girls.
“No playing experience is necessary – simply come prepared to play football! Parents and spectators are also welcomed at the event to support our young girls as we contribute to their healthy lives and positive experiences,” Hanchell said.
The Turks and Caicos Islands Football Association - The Turks and Caicos Islands Football Association (TCIFA) is a non-for-profit organization in the business of football development throughout the Turks and Caicos Islands. The TCIFA has been in operation since 1996, and a member of FIFA, since 1998.
Ministry of Education CSEC 2015 Results
The Ministry of Education, Youth Sports and Library Services offers congratulations to all of the successful candidates who sat the May/June 2015 CSEC examinations. This year, a total of 2,112 candidates were entered. The total number of candidates comprised 764 males and 1,348 females. Out of that total, 1,902 (685 males & 1,217 females) sat exams in various disciplines such as Mathematics, English- A&B, Sciences, Food and Home Management, Technical Courses, as well as the Arts, Modern Languages, Business, and Information Technology.
"78.65% of the candidates obtained Grades I-III, which represents an increase of 2.26 percentage points, when compared to 2014 pass rate of 76.39. The pass rate in 14 of the 29 subjects is over 90% and students continue to perform well in the business and technical/vocational subjects," said Hon. Akierra Missick, Deputy Premier and Minister of Education.
"It is very important to my government that we continue to see year on year growth during our term, in order to set a standard that will continue upwards for years to come.
"The Ministry continues to improve standards in education by improving laboratories and specialists rooms at the four public high schools; the provision of teaching and learning resources; and funding to support teacher professional development and the introduction of additional subject options and choices in the high school curriculum," Hon. Missick added.
The following overall passing grades were obtained as a percentage of the number of persons who sat the examinations:
Grade I=16.40%, Grade II=30.81% Grade III=30.97%.
A further break down of the key subjects is as follow:
Mathematics General Proficiency: Of the 204 candidates, 110 obtained passing grades of I-III.
English A General Proficiency: Of the 267 candidates, 167 or 62.55% obtained passing grades of I-III. Table 1, provides a breakdown of the other subjects.
Subjects (General Proficiency) No. of Students obtaining Grades I-III % Passes
Biology 40 74.07
Caribbean History 30 83.33
Chemistry 25 69.44
Clothing & Textiles 33 100
English B 43 87.76
Food and Nutrition 80 91.95
French 12 70.59
Geography 19 86.36
Home Economic Management 58 98.31
Information Technology 89 95.70
Integrated Science 95 94.06
Music 8 100
Office Administration 45 86.54
Physics 22 51.16
Principles of Accounts 43 91.49
Principles of Business 70 98.59
Religious Education 33 91.67
Social Studies 125 78.62
Spanish 25 89.29
Technical Drawing 29 67.44
Visual Arts 38 90.48
EDPM 109 92.37
Physical Education 31 96.88
Human and Social Biology 51 58.62
Building Technology (Construction): TVET 29 90.63
Building Technology (Woods)TVET 19 95.00
Electrical and Electronics TVET 9 36.00
The Ministry of Education will conduct a detailed analysis of the CSEC results for publishing at a later date which will be published on the government website.
The Ministry is cognizant of the contribution of each stakeholder to the education and development of the country's young people. We look forward to the new academic year and the promise it holds for new and exciting opportunities.