Category: Press Releases

The Environment, Natural Resources and Planning Portfolio’s Marine and Fisheries Conservation Section is launching a community survey with the aim of collecting information on how the island’s community views the Marine Protected Area (MPA) and its associated management.

The St Helena Marine Management Plan 2023 – 2028 outlines the management measures needed to conserve, protect and restore the rich biodiversity and unique natural ecosystems of St Helena’s marine environment and sustainably manage its natural resources now and for future generations. To understand whether the Marine Management Plan is working, St Helena Government (SHG) monitors the status of the key values of the MPA. This includes the MPA’s social, cultural and economic values. This questionnaire forms part of this long-term monitoring programme. It aims to help SHG understand how the MPA is currently used and what benefits it brings to the local community.

To ensure there is no sample bias, participants have been selected through a random sampling process using the phone book and surveys will be undertaken over the telephone. Participants must be over the age of 18. Your participation in this questionnaire is entirely voluntary but we encourage you to share your views.

We will treat the information you provide as confidential. Data will be aggregated and will not identify you as a participant of the survey. Any report of this research will not include your name or any other individual information which could identify you. This will help us to assess whether the management measures within the Marine Management Plan are working. SHG may revise management actions if the long-term monitoring shows that they are not working effectively.

It is anticipated that this survey will start tomorrow, 30 August 2024, and run over the course of three weeks.

If you would like any more information, please contact Kirsty Jones by telephone on +290 25966 or via email through kirsty.jones@sainthelena.gov.sh.

#StHelena #MPASurvey #MarineAwareness

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Prince Andrew School is delighted to announce the strong results achieved in this year’s public examinations, reflecting our ongoing commitment to inclusive education and customised academic pathways designed to meet diverse student interests and aspirations. This year’s examination outcomes showcase our students’ successes across 32 distinct qualifications spanning Entry Level, Level 1, Level 2 (GCSE), and Level 3 (A Level) stages.

We are particularly proud to report that our male students exceeded their predicted grades in English by 2.5%, while our female students surpassed theirs by an impressive 6%. Over half of all grades awarded were within the A* to C range or its equivalent, highlighting the achievements of our student body.

Headteacher Phil Toal remarked,

“I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to all our staff for their unwavering dedication and to congratulate our students on their remarkable achievements The support provided by our Learning Support and Pastoral teams ensures that students have the opportunity to thrive, while our students’ inherent curiosity and mutual support enhance the learning environment.”

“Our results represent the culmination of years of educational endeavor, and I extend my appreciation to the surrounding schools that have laid the groundwork for these successes. I also wish to express my sincere thanks to our parents and carers for their steadfast support of our learners. To our students, remember that your results are just one aspect of your journey. Kindness and compassion far outweigh grades in their importance. Success manifests in various forms, and for some, simply attending school despite life’s challenges is an achievement to be celebrated. I am confident that you all have bright and promising futures ahead of you. Good luck as you embark on your diverse and exciting paths. You are exceptional, inspiring, and talented individuals, and we are incredibly proud of each and every one of you.”

#StHelena #PrinceAndrewSchool #PublicExaminationResults #AltogetherBetterForChildrenAndYoungPeople

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On Friday 23 August 2024, former Prince Andrew School (PAS) Year 11, 12, and 13 students received their GCSE and A-Level test results. The eagerly awaited results were presented to students during a special ceremony held in the PAS hall.

Parents, guardians, teachers, and representatives from the St Helena Government (SHG), Bank of St Helena (BOSH) and Solomon & Company (St. Helena) Plc attended the event. Following the results presentation, students had the opportunity to explore their next steps with representatives from Career Access St Helena, Solomon & Company, BOSH, SHG Central Human Resources and the Exams Officer.

Discussions included the Sixth Form Program, Apprenticeship Scheme, potential careers, current job vacancies, and exam resits or remarks. Additionally, students could discuss their academic future with teachers regarding the Sixth Form academic route.

Deputy Head of Curriculum, Isabel Andrews, commented:

“I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to every student on their remarkable achievements. Take immense pride in your accomplishments, as they are a testament to your hard work and dedication. Use these successes as a springboard for your future endeavours, whether that means pursuing further education, combining work and study, or entering the workforce.”

“A special thank you to everyone who played a vital role in helping our students reach this point. We are grateful to the faculty and staff at Prince Andrew School for their unwavering commitment to supporting students’ academic success. Mrs Kerry Peters, our Exams Officer, deserves particular recognition for her invaluable contributions to the exam administration process. And of course, we cannot thank enough the parents, guardians, and carers for their unwavering support and encouragement throughout this journey. We extend our best wishes to our students as they embark on the next chapter of their lives.”

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The General Hospital has extended its sincere thanks to the Cancer Support and Awareness Charity for their generous donation of video conferencing equipment for the chemotherapy unit and specialist consulting room. This valuable equipment will transform cancer care on the island by enabling real-time consultations with overseas medical experts.

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the critical need for telemedicine, and St Helena has benefited immensely from this advancement. The new video conferencing system will facilitate more open and effective communication between local clinicians and specialists, leading to improved diagnosis, treatment plans, and patient outcomes.

By bringing experts almost directly to the bedside, the hospital can offer patients quicker access to specialised care, reducing the need for lengthy and stressful trips overseas. Additionally, the system will streamline the diagnostic process, potentially saving lives through early detection.

The General Hospital is confident that this donation will significantly enhance the quality of life for cancer patients and their families while reducing the burden on the healthcare system.

Minister Martin Henry commented:

“I express my heartfelt gratitude for the unwavering support the Cancer Support and Awareness Charity has given to both the Health service and members of the community over many years. The donation of video conferencing equipment to our chemotherapy unit is a further milestone in our journey towards advancing telemedicine on the island. This technology allows us to connect with oncologists beyond our shores improving the care we can provide to our patients.”

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#StHelena #Health&SocialCare #CancerSupportandAwarenessCharity

There is currently international concern about the spread of the infectious disease mpox (caused by the monkeypox virus). The World Health Organisation (WHO) has declared a public health emergency, following a significant increase in the number of cases of the disease in Central Africa, particularly in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Cases have also been reported from countries bordering DRC, and a single case has been detected in Sweden in a patient who had recently visited DRC. This outbreak is being caused by a new strain of the monkeypox virus (called clade 1b) which appears to be more infectious than the strain which caused a worldwide epidemic in 2022. There have so far been no reports of clade 1b mpox in southern Africa, and at present this outbreak is unlikely to directly affect St Helena.

There is coincidentally a smaller outbreak of mpox in South Africa caused by the clade 2b strain of monkeypox virus. The World Health Organisation reports that almost all the mpox patients in South Africa self-identify as men who have sex with men (MSM), and all caught the infection through sexual contact. The number of cases is small, and again this outbreak does not currently pose a significant threat to St Helena.

The Health Directorate is monitoring the situation daily, and if the threat to St Helena increases we will issue further guidance.

#StHelena #HealthandSocialCare #MPoxUpdate

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St Helena Government (SHG) has today published its draft Data Protection Policy 2024. This policy aims to safeguard the privacy of individuals and ensure responsible handling of personal data by organisations.

Members of the public are invited to review the draft data protection policy available online at https://www.sainthelena.gov.sh/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/DataProtectionPolicyv3.2.0_FINAL-DRAFT-FOR-CONSULTATION-AUG24-references-added.pdf and in hard copies at the Public Library and Post and Customer Services Centre.

We invite the public to participate fully in the consultation process. Opportunities for feedback will be provided through public meetings, stakeholder engagement sessions, and by written submission. Your input is essential in developing a comprehensive and effective policy.

Public meetings to discuss the draft Data Protection Policy 2024 will be held the week commencing 9 September from 19:30 at the following venues:

Location	Date and time
Jamestown Community Centre	Tuesday 10 September 2024
Half Tree Hollow Community Centre	Thursday 12 September 2024
Kingshurst Community Centre	Tuesday 24 September 2024
Harford Community Centre	Thursday 26 September 2024

The closing date for written feedback is Friday 4 October 2024.

Any questions or views on the draft policy may be submitted to Alex Adams via email through alex@jujudigital.com.

#StHelena #DataProtection #AwarenessCampaign

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The St Helena Government (SHG) recently held public information meetings to discuss a new Data Protection policy. This policy aims to safeguard the privacy of individuals and ensure responsible data handling by organisations.

SHG would like to acknowledge and thank those members of the public who attended these sessions. While attendance was limited, the discussions provided valuable insights into community concerns about data privacy. This has been helpful in finalising the draft Data Protection policy, which has been approved by Executive Council for public consultation.

Presentations and discussions revealed a need for most organisations to draft and/or update appropriate data protection policies. These adjustments will likely necessitate substantial alterations to existing working practices. A primary concern raised during the public meetings in May highlighted the potential impact of this legislation on smaller organisations, particularly charities. There are a significant number of charitable organisations that do extremely valuable work on St Helena but they are run and supported by volunteers with limited resources. To prevent compliance challenges from overwhelming these organisations, the project will focus on providing tailored support and resources.

Some good points raised during the discussion at Harford Community Centre included:

1. Whilst a data subject (an individual whose data an organisation holds) has the right to request a copy of the data an organisation holds on them, there will be certain (specific) circumstances where an organisation may legitimately withhold or restrict the level of information returned.  Examples of this might be information that law enforcement organisations hold in pursuit of an investigation, confidential references relating to an employee or student, certain medical or health related records, if the release of the information would likely cause harm to physical or mental health of the individual or another person.
2. The need for robust third-party supplier contracts to be in place with privacy factored in.  Some organisations appoint a third-party to process data on their behalf or if they need to pass on information to a third-party to deliver their service, for example an insurance broker passing details to the underwriter for a policy of insurance to be written or endorsed. Under these circumstances it will be vital to have solid contracts in place with clauses related to data protection and privacy.
3. It will be vital that the role of the Data Protection Officer (DPO) is well understood by business owners and organisation leaders. The DPO is a role that some larger organisations will have to appoint, and they will be focused on ensuring compliance with data protection law. Their responsibilities include advising the organisation on its data protection obligations; monitoring compliance; and acting as a point of contact for data subjects and the regulator. The DPO also provides guidance on data protection impact assessments and helps to manage data breaches.

Since the first round of public information meetings, Alex Adams of Juju Digital Ltd, has been meeting with organisation leaders in the private, voluntary and NGO sectors to further make them aware of the project and bring the discussion to the wider community. One of the remits of the project to commence toward the latter part of this calendar year, is to provide support to the community via educational workshops.

Members of the public are invited to review the draft data protection policy available online at https://www.sainthelena.gov.sh/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/DataProtectionPolicyv3.2.0_CONSULTATION-DRAFT-AUG24.pdf and in hard copies at the Public Library and Post and Customer Services Centre. Your input is crucial in finalising this policy.

Further information about the draft Data Protection policy, including details of upcoming public meetings in September, will be shared through social media, radio, and other media platforms.

For organisations and businesses seeking to learn more about data protection and their potential obligations under data protection law, please contact Alex Adams via email through alex@jujudigital.com.

#StHelena #DataProtection #AwarenessCampaign

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The Community Mental Health Team (CMHT) is launching a mental health survey to better understand the needs and experiences of the community. The survey will launch on Wednesday 21 August 2024.

Mental health problems can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, or background. However, stigma often prevents people from seeking help. This survey aims to assess the prevalence of mental health stigma on St Helena and identify potential barriers to accessing support.

To ensure the accuracy and reliability of the survey, participants will be selected through a random sampling process using the phone book. We understand that this may result in calls from our survey team. Please be assured that your participation is entirely voluntary and your responses will remain anonymous. The survey will take approximately 10 minutes to complete and can be conducted over the phone or in person.

The information gathered from this survey will be invaluable in improving our mental health services, identifying resource needs, and stimulating open dialogue about mental health on St Helena. By comparing our results with similar surveys conducted in other countries and UK Overseas Territories, we can benchmark our progress and implement best practices.

We encourage all residents to participate in this important survey. Your input will help us create a more supportive environment for individuals experiencing mental health challenges.

For more information about the survey or the CMHT please contact Mental Health Team Lead Ian Rummery, by telephone on 22593 or via email through Ian.Rummery@sainthelena.gov.sh.

#StHelena #MentalHealth #MentalHealthSurvey

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