Education

SYRAII IS ICBL’S 2023 JUNIOR SPELLING BEE CHAMPION

Syraii Applewhite of The Rock Christian School is the 2023 ICBL Spelling Bee Champion. She emerged the winner of the Finals competition held last Friday at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre, LESC.

Eighty enthusiastic students from twenty-eight primary schools proudly represented their schools at the Finals of the competition, each hoping to take the title and the prizes that went with it.

Syraii Applewhite, receiving the Perpetual Plaque for her school, The Rock Christian School, from Senior Education Officer Ministry of Education, Dr. Christina Morris

In a nail-biting finish filled with suspense, it would take four rounds of spelling between the final two students to determine the winner. Along with the title, Syraii received $2000 from ICBL, Two airline tickets to London on Virgin Atlantic, One Lenovo Laptop computer from Promotech, and restaurant and adventure vouchers from Atlantis Submarines and Chucka.

Cruz Harrison of St. Winifred’s school competed valiantly for his 2nd place standing when the dust settled. For his efforts, he received $1000 from ICBL, a tablet from Digicel, the 2nd place trophy, a Staycation, restaurant dining, and adventure vouchers.

*2^nd placed winner, Cruz Harrison, flanked by teacher Paula Scott (Left,) receiving his prizes from ICBL CFO Glyne Pilgrim (right.)*

Nya Rose of West Terrace Primary placed 3rd. She received a trophy, $700 from ICBL, and other vouchers for a staycation, restaurant dining, and land and sea adventures.

The fourth-placed position went to Aniyah-Christina Ince of Wilkie Cumberbatch, who received $500 from ICBL, a lunch voucher for Sea Breeze Resort, and a submarine dive for two.

The top three winning schools received $4000, $2000, and $1000, respectively, with the winning school, The Rock Christian School, taking the perpetual plaque until the 2024 competition. (PR)

Education

Immigration Webinar For Students Wishing To Study In Canada

Barbadians interested in pursuing studies in Canada are invited to participate in the online Immigration Seminar of the Consulate General of Barbados, in Toronto.

The Consulate, as part of its annual activities to observe National Heroes Day, is hosting a week of activities, and the key event will be the Immigration Seminar tomorrow Thursday, April 24, at 6:00 p.m.

Over the past 12 months, there have been significant changes to the requirements and processes for obtaining an international student visa. As a result, the seminar will focus on the recent changes to the entry requirements for international students coming to Canada to pursue undergraduate or postgraduate studies.

Prospective students, as well as parents, guardians, guidance counsellors, school teachers and principals, who have a vested interest in obtaining the most up-to-date and accurate information to make the most informed choice from the available study options, are encouraged to participate in the online seminar.

Alana Alleyne, a barrister and solicitor, will cover areas such as the latest changes to international student visas, eligibility criteria for student visas, requirements for postgraduate work permits, and changes to eligibility for spousal work permits. (PR/GIS)

Education

Information Session For Teachers Keen On Working In USA

Primary school teachers interested in working in the United States of America (USA) are invited to an upcoming Information Session, tomorrow Thursday, April 24.

The session will be hosted in the Main Conference Room of the Ministry of Labour, Social Security and Third Sector, Warrens Office Complex, Warrens, St. Michael, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.

The initiative is being facilitated by the Ministry, in partnership with the Barbados Employment and Career Counselling Service, the Barbados Union of Teachers, and Participate Learning, a USA recruitment firm.

During the event, Participate Learning will share important information on the application and recruitment processes, as well as on working in the USA. (PR/GIS)

Education

Ellerslie Students Welcomed At Barbados’ Embassy In Panama

The Embassy of Barbados in the Republic of Panama was pleased to welcome The Ellerslie School students and staff to its Chancery in Panama City, recently.

Chargé d’Affaires, Sandra Gittens, in her welcome to the group, which included Principal, Andrea Baptiste and Deputy Principal, Carl Applewhaite, shared the history of the mission, noting that the Embassy was established in 2020.

Mrs. Gittens said this was “in line with the Barbados Government’s desire to strengthen its relations and cooperation with Panama across a number of areas, including trade, investment, tourism and education”.

She expressed the hope that the visit would signal the start of a new relationship with The Ellerslie School in pursuit of future student-to-student and teacher-to-teacher exchanges, in collaboration with the Ministries of Educational Transformation and Training and Tertiary Education and its Panamanian counterpart, within the framework of the memorandum of understanding signed between the two countries.

Speaking on the value of learning a foreign language, First Secretary, Shireifa Joseph, spoke of her experience as a foreign language student and the positive impact that it has had on her career.

She encouraged the students to continue their foreign language journey, signalling that they were well on their way to becoming “bridge builders” in their future careers with the capacity to connect Barbados to other countries across the globe.

Counsellor at the Embassy, Michelle Carter, also noted the value of language learning, especially for those studying tourism, stating that developing a strong proficiency in a foreign language will serve as a critical tool in opening doors to their success in this sector, whether in Barbados or abroad. (PR/GIS)

Caption: Students, teachers and parents of the Ellerslie secondary school to the Embassy of Barbados in the Republic of Panama