Category: News

The Health Directorate has chosen the working week Monday, 2 December, to Friday, 6December 2019, to continue their health initiative on ‘Sexual Health Awareness’.

This week is part of an ongoing effort to reach all age groups on St Helena to raise awareness and allow people the opportunity to access services and support for all sexual health matters, starting with the topic of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) – ‘Pass It On’ Campaign.

Anecdotal evidence suggests that people of various age groups are still not educated or perhaps not using the knowledge they have on the prevention of STIs. There is a steady number of certain STIs presenting in clinics, in particular Chlamydia and Genital Herpes. 

The aim of the week is to focus on the most prevalent STIs on St Helena and raise awareness in general on the prevention, testing and treatments available. The Health Directorate would also like to explore other possible contributing factors for example access to support and treatment and possible stigma around attending clinics with STIs.

What is happening during the week?

• Commencing Monday, 2December, students of Prince Andrew School will receive a presentation focusing on World AIDS Day which is recognised on 1 December each year. This assembly will also be used to remind students of what HIV, is with age appropriate, basic information on transmission, prevention and treatment

• All Government workplaces were invited to receive a presentation on basic STI information – those who have taken up the offer will be given the presentation throughout this week along with the option to be screened for the STI Chlamydia and HIV at their workplace or at another appropriate time and venue

• Throughout the week both Radio Stations will broadcast talks by professionals on some of the most prevalent STIs

• The public is also invited to drop in at the Jamestown Community Centre on Wednesday, 4 December, between 2pm and 5pm if you would like information, counselling and guidance on STIs prevention, testing and treatment.  Don’t miss this opportunity!

Anyone requiring information and screening for STIs, and/or if workplaces or other organisations who would like to request a presentation on this or other sexual health topics in the future, can call: 22500 ext: 2095 and speak to a nurse.

#StHelena #HealthDirectorate #STI #SexualHealth

SHG
26 November 2019

The Social & Community Development Committee (SCDC) held three meetings in November 2019.

The first meeting took place on 4 November where the Social Security Review Recommendations were further discussed and the Committee agreed the majority of the recommendations. Further work will be progressed over the coming weeks.

On 7 November, the following proposed legislation was approved by the Committee to be presented to Executive Council for endorsement. These were:

• Criminal Justice (Fixed Penalties) Bill 2019 – this legislation will create a Fixed Penalty Notice regime. At present most offences are dealt with by way of a criminal prosecution or a police caution. Fixed Penalty Notices will provide for minor offences to be treated as civil penalties and can be used to avoid a criminal record for the offender
• Police and Criminal Evidence (Amendment) Bill 2019 – currently all offences are recorded by Police and subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 are detailed as part of criminal record checks. This legislation will introduce a distinction between recordable and non-recordable offences
• Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Application) Order 2019 – the aim of this order is to prevent residents of St Helena being unduly penalised for previous offending.  It will also modernise the law.

On Wednesday, 13 November, the regular monthly meeting took place and included the following items:

Equality & Disability legislation – work will continue to identify the precise legislative requirements to protect the vulnerable and disabled people in society.

The Committee was happy to welcome back Lynval Thompson who previously came to the Island to deliver the Corporate Parenting training and to help with the Fostering campaign. Lynval was introduced to the Committee in his new position as Senior Social Worker (Children’s Services).

The Committee agreed for the Information Bill to remain on hold until the full impacts of introducing this legislation are fully understood.  It is hoped to secure funding for technical assistance support for Freedom of Information (FOI) and General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).  

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child was endorsed by the Committee.  This is a legally binding international agreement setting out the civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights of the child regardless of race, religion or abilities and includes the right to life, survival and development.

The Committee endorsed two Threshold Documents for Children and Adults Social Care (C&ASC) which covers various aspects of risk protection and provides guidance on the thresholds for social care interventions. These documents have been uploaded to the Government website and can be accessed via the C&ASC Directorate page: https://www.sainthelena.gov.sh/directorates/social-care/

The proposed options for charging for care at the Princess Royal Community Care Centre (CCC) were considered and discussed by the Committee but further work is to be undertaken on these options and the public will be kept updated. 

The Committee was pleased to note the positive shifts in the C&ASC Directorate which included the development of services and adequate staffing levels throughout the Directorate and improvements in maintenance and renovations to the CCC which are ongoing.

The Social & Community Development Committee were voting members Councillors Anthony Green (Chairman), Cyril Leo (Deputy Chairman), Derek Thomas and Gavin Ellick and Non-Voting Members, Director of Children and Adults Social Care, Tracy Poole-Nandy and Deputy Chief Secretary, Gillian Francis. The Committee’s Secretary is Nicole Plato.

#StHelena #SCDC #MeetingSummary

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SHG

25 November 2019

WEDNESDAY, 27 NOVEMBER 2019

The public is reminded that Polling Day has been set for Wednesday, 27 November 2019, when St Helena will go to the Polls to elect a new Member to fill the vacant seat on Legislative Council.

Candidates for the 2019 Bye-Election are:

• Gillian Ann Brooks of Upper Cow Path, Half Tree Hollow
• Jeffrey Robert Ellick of Police Quarters, Alarm Forest
• Jeremy James Johns of Nr. Harlyn, Half Tree Hollow
• Elizabeth Knipe of Perkins Gutt, Sandy Bay
• Lionel George Williams of ‘Brenville’, Nr. Half Tree Hollow, St Paul’s

Remember, only those named on the Register of Electors dated 18 October 2019 will be able to vote in the Bye-Election and votes must be cast in the Electoral District in which the voter is registered.

On Wednesday, Polling Stations can be found at:

• Blue Hill Community Centre
• Half Tree Hollow Community Centre
• Harford Community Centre
• Kingshurst Community Centre
• Levelwood Clinic
• Jamestown Community Centre
• Sandy Bay Community Centre
• St Mary’s Church, the Briars

To inspect the Register of Electors you may contact the Returning Officer, Assistant Returning Officers or Assistant Registration Officers. Copies of the Register are also available at the Customer Services Centre, Public Library, rural sub-post offices and on the SHG website.

#StHelena #LegislativeCouncil #Bye-Election #PollingDay

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https://twitter.com/StHelenaGovt 

SHG
25 November 2019

TUESDAY, 26 NOVEMBER 2019

Executive Council will meet on Tuesday, 26 November 2019, at 9.30am, in the Council Chamber, to discuss the following Open Agenda items:

• Mid-Year changes to customs duty tariffs
• Development Application – Security Office
• Development Application – Internal Refurbishment of Ex-Police Headquarters for the Relocation of Judicial Services
• Development Application – Rockfall Mitigation Work in James Valley and Rupert’s Valley
• Development Application – Comprehensive Development Residential Service Plots, Bottom Woods

These papers (ExCo Memos) are available online at the following link: http://www.sainthelena.gov.sh/councils/executive-council/.

Members of the public who would like to view hard copies of the ExCo Memos should contact Clerk of Councils, Connie Johnson, at the Castle on tel: 22470 or via email: connie.johnson@sainthelena.gov.sh.    

Elected Members serving on Executive Council are Councillors Anthony Green, Lawson Henry, Dr Corinda Essex (in the absence of Clint Beard), Derek Thomas and Russell Yon.

Non-voting members of ExCo are Chief Secretary, Susan O’Bey, Financial Secretary, Dax Richards, and Attorney General, Allen Cansick. 

#StHelena #ExCoMeeting

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https://twitter.com/StHelenaGovt 

SHG
25 November 2019

The monthly meeting of the Education Committee took place on Wednesday, 20 November 2019.

A presentation was given by Advanced Skills Mathematics Teacher, Steven Powell. Steven highly commended David Clarke and his approach to teaching and is particularly encouraged by his progress as a Teacher Trainee.David was described as an elite Mathematician, calm and respected by students, and who will potentially become a vital resource as an ‘A’ Level Mathematics Teacher.Andrew Yon and Scott Crowie were commended for increased confidence in teaching and great bonding with their classes.  According to Steven the progress made in the Mathematics Department saw the school producing Mathematics results that were fairly strong last year.  The need for consistency in maintaining good teaching talent at Prince Andrew School, together with a good programme in the Continuous Professional Development of Maths Teachers on the Island in order to produce desired educational outcomes was highlighted, as well as the importance of going into Primary Schools to appreciate the system where the Secondary School students are coming from.

Emphasis was also made for increased Continuous Professional Development to be given to Year 7 teaching staff to create a good transition from Primary to Secondary school. Parents were called upon to utilise Parent Open Evenings held at both Primary and Secondary level in order to improve parent engagement in the learning process. Steven concluded by highlighting that the outlook for Mathematics in Prince Andrew School is bright.

#StHelena #Education #MeetingSummary

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SHG

25 November 2019

Over the last two weeks, His Excellency Governor Dr Philip Rushbrook held two receptions at Plantation House to celebrate recent successes achieved on St Helena.

The first reception took place on Thursday, 14November, to celebrate the determination and endeavour displayed during this year by 69 people in the public sector who achieved vocational and skills qualifications.

Skills and other qualifications, recognised in the UK and internationally, were awarded in Health, Education, Fire & Rescue, Environment, Engineering, Customs, IT, Human Resources, Archiving, Tourism and Immigration.

On Tuesday, 19November, a second reception was held for 15 SHG staff who achieved work related, professional Bachelor’s Degree and Master’s Degree qualifications. This included six nurses who all achieved degree-level nursing qualifications. Other graduates with degrees included staff from the legal profession, tourism, economic development, personnel management and policing.

Also invited to the reception were past Chevening Scholars who were able to share their experiences of their studies in the UK and how it had benefitted them on their return to St Helena. Zedella Young, who recently graduated with a Master’s Degree from the University of Surrey in Strategic Tourism, Management and Marketing was presented with her certificate by the Governor. Zedella now works with St Helena Tourism, sharing her professional knowledge.

Governor Rushbrook commented:

“This is exactly what St Helena needs. St Helenians working towards and achieving internationally recognised qualifications to improve the lives of everyone in our community.”

#StHelena #PlantationHouse #Success

SHG

22 November 2019

To recognise the 30th anniversary of the adoption of the United Nations (UN) ‘Convention on the Rights of the Child’, a number of School assemblies was held on Wednesday, 20 November 2019.

The UN ‘Convention on the Rights of the Child’ is a human rights treaty which sets out the civil, political, economic, social, health and cultural rights of children and was adopted by the UN General Assembly on 20 November 1989.

School assemblies included a welcome and introduction to the Convention and White Ribbon Campaign, viewing of age appropriate videos depicting the ‘Rights of a Child’, pinning of pledges onto the wooden ‘children’ cut-outs and distribution of White Ribbons. The assemblies concluded with the formation of the White Ribbon symbol on the School fields.

On Wednesday evening, HE Governor Dr Philip Rushbrook hosted a reception at Plantation House for teachers, students and their parents/guardians, as well as various agencies associated with children to commemorate the Convention.

In HE’s speech, the Governor welcomed guests and gave them an overview of the Convention, its history and Human Rights focus, linking these with the work of Directorates on-Island and thanking Directors and staff in Education, Health and Policing for their public service.

The Governor said:

“It is due to the hard work and professionalism of St Helena Government staff that the Convention is a reality on our Island. Thank you to each of you for what you do in serving our community.”

UN Project Manager (St Helena), Nicolene Adams, added:

“The Rights of the Child 30th Anniversary is the celebration of the United Nations convention to protect and promote the safety and welfare of children.

“St Helena has underpinning legislation which promotes the safety and wellbeing of children on the Island by means of the Welfare of Children Ordinance.

“The Children and Adult Safeguarding Board offers scrutiny in relation to the multi-agency approach to the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults on St Helena. This established forum ensures that children are and will be protected from harm and abuse from a multi-agency perspective.”

During the reception, speeches were also made by Children’s Champion, Councillor Derek Thomas, and Chief Secretary, Susan O’Bey.

Nicolene concluded:

“Paraphrased in the words of the great Nelson Mandela ‘the true character of society is revealed in how it treats its children’. The children of St Helena are the rock on which our future will be built, they are our greatest asset as a nation. They will be the leaders of our Island and the creators and securers of our society who will care for and protect our people and especially children that will come behind them.”

#StHelena #CRC #UN #RightsOfTheChild

SHG

22 November 2019