Category: Public Announcements

Councillors Leslie Baldwin and Gavin Ellick have recently returned to the Island having represented St Helena at conferences in the UK.

Councillor Baldwin attended the 44^th British Isles and Mediterranean Region annual conference (BIMR Conference), hosted by the Wales Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association, in Cardiff Bay, from 27-30 May 2014.

The theme of the BIMR Conference was ‘Equality of Access to Democracy’ and topics discussedincluded ‘Women in Public Life’, ‘Bilingualism’, ‘Engagement of Young Citizens in the Democratic Process’ and ‘Social Media – just how are we Engaging with Young Citizens?’ The annual general meeting of the BIMR was also held.

Councillor Baldwin found the plenary sessions focusing on youth engagement particularly relevant for St Helena.

He commented:

“We are hoping to extend the age considered ‘Youth’ to 25 years – it is much higher elsewhere in the Commonwealth. This would help develop the Youth Parliament on St Helena to perhaps even representing the Island at Commonwealth Youth Parliaments.”

While at the BIMR Conference Councillor Baldwin chaired a workshop on ‘The Case for Youth Parliaments – What Influence do they have in informing Public Opinion?’ Councillor Baldwin took this opportunity to explain the difficulties St Helena has faced with re-establishing a Youth Parliament. Discussions then followed on lowering the voting age, having more interaction between Councillors and Youth Parliaments and schools, and the opportunity for Youth Parliaments to influence political decision making.

Councillor Baldwin also attended a workshop entitled ‘More than a Matter of Numbers -How are Women Making a Difference?’ which focused on positive discrimination and the fact that women are not often helped by other women who have made ‘high Office’.

Following the BIMR Conference, Councillor Baldwin was joined by Councillor Ellick to attend the 63rd Westminster Seminar held from 16-20 June in London.

Topics discussed at the Seminar included ‘Parliamentary Administration & Governance’, ‘The Role of the Speaker’, ‘MPs and Opposition MPs’, ‘The Legislative Process’, ‘Party Discipline’, ‘Media Oversight of Parliament’, ‘Women in Parliament’, ‘Parliamentary Questions & Motions’, ‘Bicameralism (where Legislators are divided into two separate assemblies) and The future of Parliament’.

Both Councillors Baldwin and Ellick found the media element of the discussions particularly interesting.

Now back on Island, Councillors Baldwin and Ellick will be highlighting the strength of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and the assistance it can offer to the St Helena Legislative Council. Councillor Baldwin will also be looking to formalise connections between the South Atlantic Islands, as well as widening Youth Parliament membership in line with the rest of the Commonwealth. He also hopes to deliver a Human Rights Quality Commission and potentially develop a Citizens Advice Bureau.

A full report of Councillor Baldwin and Ellick’s attendance at these conferences will be made available on the SHG website once they have formally presented to Legislative Council.

Three photos are attached.

 

 

SHG

8 August 2014

 

The risk of any case of Ebola virus in St Helena is extremely remote.  This paper is for information only.

There is currently an outbreak of Ebola in West Africa.  The main countries affected are Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone.  To date, the confirmed number of people infected is around 1300.

Is it a concern for St Helena?

The risk of a single case appearing on St Helena is very remote.  But, it is possible for a single case of an infectious disease to appear almost anywhere in the world.  Even if a case were detected in St Helena, it would not necessarily lead to any outbreak, and good precautionary measures in place on the Island reduce the risk significantly.

What is SHG doing?

SHG is working closely with Andrew Weir Shipping to minimise any chance of anyone boarding or landing from the RMS carrying the Ebola virus.  Additional questions will also be asked of yacht and ship crews arriving to the Island, both prior to and on arrival.

If you are travelling to St Helena, please be prepared for questions from shipping agents and officials regarding your travel history.

How is the Ebola virus spread?

It is extremely unlikely that someone would catch Ebola from simply being on the same boat or plane or in the same public space with someone who is affected. The Ebola virus does not tend to travel through the air like the Flu and other respiratory illnesses.

In order to catch Ebola, you have to actually touch the bodily fluids of an Ebola virus carrier, either directly or on bedding etc. After that, you would have to allow the virus to enter into your body by, for example, touching food and eating it.

The illness can be fatal, but survival rates are improved through early detection and ensuring patients are well hydrated through initial stages.

What are the symptoms of Ebola?

The incubation period for Ebola ranges from 2 to 21 days.

Symptoms for Ebola include any combination of a fever, sore throat, muscle pains and headaches. There is then typically nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, along with decreased functioning of the liver and kidneys.  There may also be bleeding.

These symptoms mean that there is usually a good clue that someone might be contagious. But the early symptoms can be confusing because they often look like other viruses, such as the Flu. So:

• It is important to know if the person has recently travelled (within 21 days) through one of the main affected areas (or has been in close contact with someone who has) – ie Guinea, Liberia or Sierra Leone– and who are suffering fever, throat and muscle pains, headaches, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. 

If so, this person should seek immediate medical attention.

What can I do?

• Avoid touching the bodily fluids of a potential sufferer (such as sweat, vomit, diarrhea, blood, urine or semen)
• Ensure good general personal hygiene

If you think you may have been in contact with someone who has recently returned from Guinea, Liberia or Sierra Leone and who is suffering fever, throat and muscle pains, headaches, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea – you must seek immediate medical attention.

Remember

• The chance of the Ebola virus ever reaching St Helena is extremely remote
• There are no reported cases 
• A common sense approach to dealing with anyone who may be infected will help prevent any spreading of the virus

Further information about the Ebola virus outbreak can be found on the following webpage:

Public Health England, at: http://www.hpa.org.uk/Topics/InfectiousDiseases/InfectionsAZ/Ebola/

SHG

5 August

2014

HM Customs & Revenue will be closed on Tuesday 12 August 2014 in the morning – to allow staff to attend joint training sessions with the Biosecurity Team.

HM Customs & Revenue apologises for the disruption and will reopen at 1.30 that afternoon.

SHG

5 August 2014

 

Further to the press release issued on 14 July 2014 this is an update on strange animal sightings (first seen in Rupert’s Valley) on St Helena.

Several sightings indicate that there may be an unusual animal present on the Island. Daylight sightings have provided a more detailed description of the same type of animal, initially seen in Rupert’s Valley, but as yet there is no conclusive evidence to its identity.

For more conclusive identification there is a need for a clear photograph of the animal. SHG is offering a reward of £20 (twenty pounds) to anyone who can provide a clear photograph.  Images should be sent to Jill Key at ANRD on email  jill-key@enrd.gov.sh, or call 24724 to arrange collection.

Members of the public are advised not to approach the animal too closely. If the animal is seen remaining in one place, please notify the Police immediately.

In the meantime, ANRD would like to inform the public that as an experiment they will be broadcasting certain animal sounds from a loud speaker in the upper Jamestown and Maldivia area, in an attempt to provoke a response from the suspected animal. This will take place mainly during the early evening, and will commence today, Monday 4August 2014.

SHG

4 August 2014

16 AUGUST TO 6 SEPTEMBER 2014

For their second round of meetings with constituents Councillors will be taking a more personal approach by holding constituency surgeries instead of the normal constituency meetings.

The surgeries will be led by two Councillors in the various districts and will provide an opportunity for constituents to discuss matters affecting them face to face with their Councillor. If constituents have a shared concern, they can be seen together. Once the discussion has taken place, constituents will be sent a written response as quickly as possible.

The surgeries will run from mid-August to September 2014 on Saturdays between 10am and 12noon.

Dates and locations of the surgeries are detailed below:

CONSTITUENCY SURGERIES
From 10am to 12noon
Venue	Date	Councillors attending
Blue Hill Community Centre	16 August	Tony Duncan & Lawson Henry
St Michael’s Church, Ruperts	16 August	Ian Rummery & Christine Scipio-O’Dean
St Mary’s Church, The Briars	23 August	Cyril George & Ian Rummery
Levelwood Community Centre	23 August	Nigel Dollery & Derek Thomas
Half Tree Hollow Clinic	30 August	Nigel Dollery & Lawson Henry
Kingshurst Community Centre, St Paul’s	30 August	Gavin Ellick & Christine Scipio-O’Dean
Harford Community Centre, Longwood	30 August	Les Baldwin & Brian Isaac
No.3 Main Street, Jamestown	6  September	Brian Isaac & Bernice Olsson
Sandy Bay Community Centre	6  September	Dr Corinda Essex & Gavin Ellick

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

If you would like to give Councillors advance notice of your concern before attending a surgery, you can do so by contacting the Secretary to Elected Members, Anita Legg, on Tel: 22590 or email: sec.em@helanta.co.sh

On Behalf of St Helena Legislative Council

4 August 2014

 

Stacey Thomas from Longwood has been awarded a First Class Honours Degree at the University of Hertfordshire, studying for a Bachelor’s Degree in Education.

Stacey began her journey by studying on the Foundation Degree in Learning Support course, where she completed modules including Managing Inclusion Frameworks and Issues, ICT for Supporting Learning and Teaching, Working with Children with Specific Learning Difficulties, Behaviour Management, Speech and Language and Autism.  In addition, she completed a practice-based enquiry.

As part of the Foundation Degree, Stacey worked as aTeaching Assistant and volunteered in a Special Educational Needs school for pupils with moderate learning difficulties.

Stacey commented:

“This was a crucial part of my studies which helped me in linking theory with practice.  In addition, I gained first-hand experience working in a UK school as well as building a bank of teaching ideas for my personal practice in the future.”

After passing the Foundation Degree with a Distinction, Stacey aspired to enrol on the final year of the BEd (Primary) Programme.  In order to gain direct entry onto the course from the Foundation Degree, individuals had to attend an interview and pass Maths and Literacy Skills tests – Stacey passed both requirements and was offered a place on the course.

The BEd Degree saw Stacey covering modules which focused on Developing Professional Practice, English across the Curriculum, how to become an Outstanding Maths Teacher and Developing a Creative Curriculum.

“These modules gave high focus on enquiry, exploration, discovery and critical reflection, which helped me in identifying my core values and beliefs as a teacher.  Furthermore, the theory learnt within these modules were very beneficial during my school- based training.” 

Stacey also underwent school placements to build her knowledge and competence – accomplished by completing a project with a Year 2 class at a Junior Mixed Infant School, and planning and teaching a small group in English and Mathematics.

Stacey completed her school-based training with a Year 4 class in a Junior School – enabling her to understand the requirements expected of teachers, as specified in the Standards for Qualified Teaching Status – which centres around managing childrens’ learning efficiently, creating a conducive learning environment and meeting the needs of individual pupils.

Stacey added:

“By the end of my placement, I was teaching 80% of the class timetable.  I thoroughly enjoyed my school-based training, where I learnt a great deal from my mentors and the students.  I was extremely pleased to be graded Outstanding at the end of the placement.

“The past three years have been both challenging and rewarding.  It has also given me the confidence to take on my next challenge which is to successfully complete my Newly Qualified Teacher (NQT) year.  I would like to thank the Education Department, Mr Brian Fredericks, Matthew and all of my family, friends and colleagues for their continuous support and words of encouragement throughout.”  

Colin Moore, Director of Education, concluded:

“Gaining a First Class Honours Degree is a very impressive achievement. Stacey is such a talented young teacher who has all the qualities and specialist skills that the Island needs as we continue to raise educational standards on St Helena.

“Everybody is thrilled for Stacey.  On behalf of the Directorate and the wider community, I would like to offer our congratulations to her. Well done Stacey.”

SHG

4 August 2014