Please be advised that the planned road closure through The Arch leading to the sea front in Jamestown for Wednesday, 05 March 2025, has been cancelled due to ongoing cargo operations. The closure scheduled for Wednesday, 12 March 2025, from 13:00 to 15:30 remains in effect.
The Roads Section apologises for any inconvenience caused and thanks the public for their understanding and co-operation.
The Education, Skills, and Employment Portfolio (ESE) has concluded a series of community engagement meetings to provide updates on the St Helena Education Review. These sessions, held on 10, 24, and 25 February, 2025, demonstrated strong community interest and generated valuable feedback.
The review, which assesses education provision from early years to post-16, aims to:
Discussions during the meetings indicated a clear need for change and improvement within St Helena’s education system. The adoption of the COBIS standards framework in September 2024 is considered one of the fundamental steps in this process, as the implementation of a framework will be the facilitator that will guide the educational journey now and into the future. However, discussions also emphasised that the following actions are also necessary to facilitate meaningful change:
Concerns were raised that without these essential measures, the education system risks continued decline.
The ESE acknowledges and appreciates the valuable contributions made by parents, guardians, and the public during these sessions. The feedback received will play a crucial role in shaping the final recommendations of the St Helena Education Review.
#StHelena #EducationReview #AltogetherBetterForChildrenAndYoungPeople
www.facebook.com/StHelenaGovt/
His Excellency the Governor intends to appoint a member to the St Helena Media Commission.
This position is not open to members of the Legislative Council or the Public Service.
The duties of the St Helena Media Commission are to:
The Media Commission comprises the Chief Magistrate as President of the Commission and at least two other members. The Commission plays an important role in the community as it must ensure that the press conduct themselves in accordance with the rules that are necessary to protect individuals, while at the same time ensuring that freedom of the press is maintained.
The remuneration for this position is £35 per meeting and mileage is paid at 77p a mile.
If you think you have the necessary skills and would like to apply for the role, contact Information and Research Support Officer, Linda Benjamin for the relevant Expression of Interest (EOI) form, by telephone on 22470, or via email at linda.benjamin@sainthelena.gov.sh.
Alternatively, the EOI form can be downloaded from the SHG website at: https://www.sainthelena.gov.sh/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/EOI-Form-Member-St-Helena-Media-Commission.doc.
Please send your completed EOI to Kerry Lane, Manager of the Governor’s Office, via email at Kerry.Lane@fcdo.gov.uk by Wednesday, 26March 2025.
Shortlisted persons will be invited to a discussion with the Governor and the successful applicant will be appointed subject to receipt of a satisfactory vetting certificate.
Governor’s Office, St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha
03 March 2025
The position of Chairperson of the Immigration Control Board will become available from 13 March 2025.
The Immigration Ordinance 2011 provides for an Immigration Control Board with the Chairperson of the Board being appointed by the Governor. The role of the Board is to exercise and perform powers and functions conferred upon it by the Immigration Control Ordinance, 2011. This includes processing applications for long term entry permits, work permits, immigrant employment certificates and immigrant landholding licences.
The Ordinance requires that the Chairperson of the Immigration Control Board must have St Helenian Status. Justices of the Peace, Immigration Officers, and members of the Legislative Council are not eligible for appointment to the Board.
The successful candidate will receive an annual retainer fee of £1,200, paid quarterly in arrears, as well as a mileage allowance of 77p per mile for any mileage incurred using personal vehicles in connection with attendance at Board meetings, which are generally held once per month.
In addition, they will also receive a monthly payment of £6.65 towards internet costs.
For further information about the duties of Chairperson of the Immigration Board, interested persons may contact current Chairman of the Immigration Control Board, Merlin George, by telephone on 24913 or via email at GEORGES.MH@helanta.co.sh.
The relevant form – ‘Expression of Interest – Chair Immigration Control Board’ can be obtained from Information and Research Support Officer, Linda Benjamin, at The Castle by telephone on 22470, via email at linda.benjamin@sainthelena.gov.sh or on the SHG website at https://www.sainthelena.gov.sh/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/EOI-Form-Chairperson-Immigration-Control-Board.doc.
Completed forms should be returned to Mrs Kerry Lane, email Kerry.Lane@fcdo.gov.uk in the Governor’s Office by Friday, 14 March 2025.
Shortlisted persons will then be invited to a discussion with the Governor and the successful applicant will be appointed subject to receipt of a satisfactory vetting certificate.
Governor’s Office, St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha
28 February 2025
The cruise ship Azamara Quest will arrive in St Helena at 08:00 on Saturday 01 March 2025. There are 607 passengers on board.
James Bay is currently experiencing rough, swelly seas which is forecast to persist throughout the weekend. Consequently, the Captain, in liaison with Port Control, will make a decision on whether it is safe to land passengers on Saturday morning.
If able to land, passengers have booked on-island tours. Tours will depart at 09:00 from the Jamestown Wharf.
There is a wide range of nationalities on board, with the main nationalities being: Australian, Canadian, British and American.
It is expected that the passengers will carry the following currencies: Euros, Dollars and Great British Pounds (GBP). Currency exchange rate information is available from the Bank of St Helena and the Tourist Office.
The Azamara Quest will depart St Helena at approximately 18:00.
Temporary One-Way Traffic System
If passengers do come ashore, a temporary one-way traffic system will be in effect from 09:00 to 16:00 to manage increased traffic during the Azamara Quest cruise ship’s visit.
This system, designed to improve safety and reduce congestion, will direct traffic from Gordons Post towards Hutts Gate along Tomb Road. Vehicles traveling in the opposite direction will be diverted from Hutts Gate to Gordons Post via The Dungeon, as shown on the map below.
This is a familiar procedure, used during previous cruise ship visits, and likely to be implemented again in the future.
The one-way route will be clearly signposted and will be removed as soon as it is no longer necessary.
We would like to apologise for any inconvenience caused and thank the public for their understanding in this matter.
The Health Service is offering free testing for bowel cancer over the next month for anyone aged between 50 to 74 years. Those individuals who wish to take the test can call Anna Bowers or Dinah Fowler at 25818 or 25949, who will arrange for a test sample kit to be made available to you.
Those eligible for a test are strongly encouraged to take one. Early detection through testing helps to ensure you stand the best chance of receiving successful treatment if needed.
If you are unsure whether or not you wish to take the test, we suggest that you request the home sample kit and read the materials that come with it before making your decision. The sample kit has full instructions on how to use it. Results from your test will be provided within four weeks, and you may be called in to speak to a doctor about these if necessary.
Should you have any questions about this campaign please call telephone numbers 25818 or 25949. Alternatively, please speak to your doctor.
#StHelena #HealthCare #BowelCancer
Please be advised that following requests from the public, there will be changes made to Route 1 of the Public Transport Service (PTS) timetable effective from Saturday, 01 March 2025.
Journeys from Bottom Woods into Jamestown will depart 5 minutes earlier. Instead of travelling via Longwood Avenue and Longwood Gate, these journeys will now travel to the lower Deadwood area, via the Colt Sheds Road. Please note that pick-up points into Jamestown from Longwood Gate will remain the same.
Journeys starting from Cape Villa to Bottom Woods will continue as per the published timetables. However, upon arriving at Longwood Gate, the bus will travel to lower Deadwood Haul Road, then on to Longwood Green, and finally to Bottom Woods via Colt Sheds. This will result in an arrival time approximately 5 minutes later than in the published timetables.
The PTS timetables will be updated to reflect these changes and posted on the SHG website at https://www.sainthelena.gov.sh/public-services/publictransportservice/.
Nominations are now being invited for the following awards.
UK STATE AWARDS – 2026 NEW YEAR HONOURS
Honours are awarded on merit for exceptional achievement or for any service carried out over and above what normally is expected. This can include making a difference to the community or in a specific field of work, innovation and entrepreneurship, improving life for people less able to help themselves and displaying moral courage. Where possible, nominations should place emphasis on voluntary services and the service must be recent. Nominees must not be made aware they are being put forward for an award.
CERTIFICATE AND BADGE OF HONOUR 2026
This award is presented to public servants on behalf of St Helena Government for loyal and valuable service worthy of recognition or, in the case of other persons, for their loyal and meritorious conduct that has provided exceptional benefit to the people of St Helena. Nominees should be residents of St Helena, either being born on the Island or have been residing on St Helena for not less than ten years prior to the date of the award.
ACT OF BRAVERY AWARD 2026
This award is presented to individuals who have shown a clear display of moral courage and bravery in adverse situations.
THE BADGE OF ST HELENA
This award is available to both St Helenians and non-St Helenians. It is off a higher status than the Certificate and Badge of Honour. The Badge of St Helena recognises exceptional service provided by individuals or organisations who make significant contribution to St Helena’s development or by supporting and/or enhancing social, cultural, economic, environmental improvement or the understanding of St Helena internationally.
FREEDOM OF THE CITY OF JAMESTOWN
This award is symbolic in nature and is the highest-level of local government award that can be conferred. It is awarded to anyone on St Helena whose achievements are significantly admirable and highly worthy of distinctive recognition. Those who receive this award will have made an outstanding contribution that is of huge national impact to St Helena and its citizens and will have served the best interests of the island.
To find out more about the different types of Honours Awards please visit: www.gov.uk/honours
Nomination forms for all of the above awards, are available from Central Support Service at the Castle, Jamestown, or can be requested via email: linda.benjamin@sainthelena.gov.sh.
Completed forms should be returned to the Castle in a sealed envelope marked ‘Confidential’ addressed to ‘The Secretary, Honours and Awards Committee’, by Thursday, 17 April 2025.
SHG
24 February 2025
St Helena continues to experience a north-westerly swell which is likely to continue until 3 March 2025. This may result in unsettled sea conditions in both James and Rupert’s Bay. Boat owners are advised to ensure their vessels are securely moored during this period.
Swimmers should exercise extreme caution when entering the water in James and Rupert’s Bay and refrain from using life rings and other lifesaving equipment for recreational swimming.
Vehicle owners are advised to avoid parking near the rails on the seafront and individuals are asked to use caution when in close proximity to the railings due to the potential risk of wave overspray and associated hazards.
The Emergency Planning Department will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide further updates as needed.
The MV Karoline is scheduled to arrive at James Bay at 10:00 on Monday 24 February 2025. Weather permitting the vessel will dock alongside Rupert’s Jetty and cargo operations will commence as soon as practicable.
The public are therefore advised that the Port of Jamestown and whole of lower Ruperts including the beach area, will be closed from 08:30 on Monday 24 February 2025, until all cargo operations are completed.
These areas will be strictly prohibited and access will be limited to those who have made prior arrangements with St Helena Port Control.
Boat owners and operators are advised that mooring on the ‘span’ mooring rope near the landing steps at the Jamestown Wharf is prohibited for the duration of cargo operations.
The public are thanked in advance for their patience and co-operation.