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The Education, Skills and Employment Portfolio (ESE) today announced that the reorganisation of the primary school structure, which will create two new schools dedicated to Key Stage 1 (KS1) and Key Stage 2 (KS2), will begin earlier than planned. The transition will now start in January 2026 instead of the original date of September 2026.

This change is necessary to ensure the safety of all students and staff during extensive renovations at the future school sites Harford Primary School and St Paul’s Primary School, which were agreed earlier this year. Construction on this scale cannot be safely completed with pupils on-site, and the revised timeline allows the contractors to efficiently carry out this crucial work.

A Phased Plan for a Smooth Transition

To determine the best approach for the reorganisation, the ESE Portfolio carefully explored several temporary options, including using community centres and office buildings. However, these spaces were not suitable due to scheduling conflicts and the significant cost and time required to make them fit to meet educational standards. The ESE also considered relocating students to other schools, including the secondary school.

Through this detailed analysis, one clear option emerged: introducing the new KS1 and KS2 model for all primary-aged children from January 2026. This reorganisation will take place in three phases to minimise disruption to learning and limit the number of moves for students and staff.

Phase I: January 2026 – Launch Preparations

This approach allows all children to remain together with their friends during the renovations and provides valuable time for staff training and planning.

Phase II: September 2026 – KS1 School Launch      

Phase III: March 2027 – KS2 School Launch

Our Commitment to Students and Families

We understand that this change may bring concern and will work closely with the community during this period. We know this impacts many families, from daily routines to transport arrangements. The ESE Portfolio is actively working behind the scenes on all logistical details to ensure a seamless transition.

The safety, learning, and well-being of our students remain our top priority. We will ensure ample time is given before January 2026 to help prepare them for the upcoming changes.

As part of our commitment to keeping the public informed, we are launching a communications campaign called ‘Together We Thrive: One journey. One island. One future.’ We encourage all parents and community members to stay engaged by looking out for updates online, in the media, and through the primary schools.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the ESE Portfolio at info@sainthelena.edu.sh.

#StHelena #Education #TogetherWeThrive:Onejourney.Oneisland.Onefuture

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Returning Officer, Carol Henry, this morning, Thursday 4 September 2025, announced the results of Polling Day for the General Election 2025 and has accordingly declared that the following candidates have been duly elected to serve as Members of the St Helena Legislative Council:

List in alphabetical order of surname

Clint Richard Beard: of Market Street, Jamestown

Gillian Ann Brooks: of 25 Barracks Square, Jamestown

Rebecca Elizabeth Cairns-Wicks: of “Mount Pleasant”, Sandy Bay

Ronald Arthur Coleman: of Silver Hill, Levelwood

Corinda Sebastiana Stuart Essex: of “Villa Ajaccio”, Napoleon Street, Jamestown

Martin Dave Henry: of Tern Drive, Half Tree Hollow

Dennis Karl Leo: of Half Way, St Pauls

Robert Charles Midwinter: of “Vasco Da Gama House”, Tern Drive, Half Tree Hollow

Derek Franklin Thomas: of Cow Path, Half Tree Hollow

Julie Dorne Thomas: of Gordon’s Post, Alarm Forest

Karl Gavin Thrower: of The Flag, Levelwood

Andrew James Turner: of Burgh House, Barren Ground, Blue Hill

The Count took place from just before 22:00 last night to approximately 05:00 this morning.

The votes awarded to each candidate were as follows:

List in alphabetical order of surname

Colin Douglas Bargo: 309

Clint Richard Beard: 407

Gillian Ann Brooks: 543

Mark Alan Brooks: 352

Cruyff Gerard Buckley: 314

Rebecca Elizabeth Cairns-Wicks: 823

Ronald Arthur Coleman: 389

Jeffrey Robert Ellick: 326

Corinda Sebastiana Stuart Essex: 730

Melissa Kim Fowler: 306

Anthony Arthur Green: 333

Martin Dave Henry: 541

Elizabeth Knipe: 174

Cyril Kenneth Leo: 217

Dennis Karl Leo: 644

Robert Charles Midwinter: 441

Derek Pedley: 326

Derek Franklin Thomas: 629

Julie Dorne Thomas: 403

Kevin Adrian Thomas: 128

Karl Gavin Thrower: 650

Andrew James Turner: 761

Patrick Arthur Williams: 59

In total 1147 people cast valid votes. This represents approximately 56% of those eligible to vote – compared with 60% in 2021, 49% in 2017, 55% in 2013, 58% in 2009, and 47% in 2005.

There were four invalid Ballot Papers.

#StHelena #GeneralElection2025 #TheResults

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The closing date for expressions of interest in the roles of Speaker and Deputy Speaker has been extended to Monday, 8 September 2025.

This extension is to accommodate the recent provision enabling public officers to stand for election to these roles.

We encourage all interested and eligible individuals to submit their expressions of interest by the new deadline.

Interested persons are encouraged to contact the Legislative Council Office on telephone: 22590 or via email: morgan.thomas-henry@sainthelena.gov.sh or Marita.Bagley@sainthelena.gov.sh  for further details and to register your name by 16:00 on Monday, 8 September 2025.

St Helena’s Emergency Services hosted a successful Open Day on Friday, 22 August 2025, at the Sea Rescue Base in Rupert’s. The free, family-friendly event drew a large crowd, providing the community with a unique look at the island’s dedicated emergency responders and the vital work they do.

The event brought together the Ambulance Service, Sea Rescue, Royal St Helena Police, Fire and Rescue, HM Prison, the Joint Emergency Services Control Centre (JESCC), GIS, and the Medical Laboratory Team. Attendees of all ages were able to interact with the teams and participate in a range of engaging activities.

Highlights of the day included:

In addition to the demonstrations, the Medical Laboratory Team was on hand to share information and encourage blood donations, an essential life supporting service for the island’s community.

Deputy Emergency Planning Manager, Anel O’Bey, commented:

“On behalf of the Emergency Planning Department, SHG Blue Light Services and supporting agencies we would like to thank all those who attended and participated in the recent Multi-Agency Emergency Services Open Day!

Your presence at this event underscored the vital partnership between our emergency services and the community we proudly serve. We hope you gained valuable insights into the rigorous training, state-of-the-art equipment, and collaborative spirit that define our daily operations. From live demonstrations of rescue and respond techniques to interactive exhibits showcasing individual services, the day was designed to foster a deeper understanding of how we work together to ensure your safety and well-being.

We are particularly grateful for those who assisted us in the lead up and on the day. Special thanks goes out to Solomon & Company, St Helena Tourism, New Horizon Youth Club, St Helena Secondary School, Jamestown Community Centre, Johnny Isaac Contractors, Dan’s Bakery, Uncle John’s Ice Cream, Colin Peters, Debbie Yon, Port Control and the SHG Communications Hub.

The feedback we received was overwhelmingly positive, and we were inspired by your enthusiasm and support. Events like these are invaluable for strengthening community ties, promoting safety awareness, and encouraging the next generation of first responders.

Thank you once again for your participation and unwavering support. We look forward to continuing our collaboration and serving you with the highest level of dedication and professionalism.”

Photos

The Emergency Services Team

Fire and Rescue Service Stall

GIS Stall

Participants were invited to board the Sea Rescue boat

Rescue demonstration

Ambulance Team

Members of the Sea Rescue Team

Members of the Royal St Helena Police

Members of the Police and GIS Teams

A participant engaging with Police equipment

The Fire Truck Pull Challenge, carried out by the Ambulance Team

Children in the audience were also given a turn to attempt the Fire Truck Pull Challenge

The Medical Laboratory Team

#StHelena #EmergencyServices #OpenDay

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Speaker and Deputy Speaker of Legislative Council

Expressions of Interest are invited from members of the public to fill the vacant office of Speaker and Deputy Speaker of Legislative Council. Interested persons must be registered as an Elector on the Register of Electors which came into effect from 1 July 2025.

The Speaker presides over meetings of Legislative Council and ensures the observance of rules of order. The Speaker is non-voting. The Speaker is also the President of the local Commonwealth Parliamentary Association. Another activity of the Speaker is to oversee the Complaints procedure for conducting investigations into complaints made against Elected Members, in accordance with the Code of Conduct for Members of Legislative Council. 

 In the absence of the Speaker, the Deputy Speaker assumes these responsibilities.

In accordance with Section 55 of the St Helena, Ascension and Tristan Da Cunha Constitution, both positions are elected by Elected Members of Council; this election will take place at the first sitting of Legislative Council, soon after the General Election 2025. Two different elected members must propose and second any eligible person who has put themselves forward for either position. That means, to be considered for one of the two positions, two different elected members have to support you. The Speaker and Deputy Speaker will take up office immediately following his/her election.

Interested persons are encouraged to contact the Legislative Council Office on telephone: 22590 or via email: morgan.thomas-henry@sainthelena.gov.sh or Marita.Bagley@sainthelena.gov.sh  for further details and to register your name by 16:00 on Monday, 8 September 2025.

The Commonwealth Scholarship Commission (CSC) in the UK is inviting nominations from St Helena for Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships tenable from September to October 2026.  St Helena is invited to nominate one (1) candidate for consideration by the CSC for Master’s study. Please note, a nomination does not in any way guarantee selection or placement.

Funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), Commonwealth Master’s Scholarships enable talented and motivated individuals to gain the knowledge and skills required for sustainable development.  The CSC aims to identify talented individuals who have the potential to make change and who could not otherwise afford to study in the UK. 

The CSC is committed to a policy of equal opportunity and non-discrimination and encourages applications from a diverse range of candidates.

The CSC is committed to supporting outreach activities and providing additional investment for scholarships for people with disabilities and in subject areas related to the rights of people with disabilities. For further information on the support available to candidates with a disability, please see the CSC disability support statement at https://cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk/apply/csc-disability-support-statement

These scholarships are offered under six development themes:

1.         Science and technology for development

2.         Strengthening health systems and capacity

3.         Promoting global prosperity

4.         Strengthening global peace, security and governance

5.         Strengthening resilience and response to crises

6.         Access, inclusion and opportunity

Full candidate eligibility requirements are available at   http://cscuk.fcdo.gov.uk/scholarships/commonwealth-masters-scholarships/

How to Apply:

The Scholarship Awards Committee is the official nominating body for Commonwealth Scholarships and will decide on a suitable nomination based on the set criteria. The CSC will make the final selection of candidates. 

Over the past weekend, a large shark was reportedly sighted inshore, specifically along the leeward/northern side of the island.

Marine Enforcement is investigating these reports though no further sightings have been reported since Friday, 22 August 2025. As a precautionary measure, we ask everyone to be extra careful and vigilant when in or near the water.

Here is some important guidance:

Fishers and members of the public are encouraged to discard of fish waste in a responsible manner. For rock fishers, this means ensuring waste is taken and disposed of in a bin inland. For boat fishers, this means discarding fish waste at sea, at least one mile out from the shore.

Discarding fish waste close to the coast can encourage sharks to come closer to the shore to feed on the waste. Where this is done near popular and accessible areas such as James Bay and Rupert’s Bay, it can affect the enjoyment and potentially the safety of recreational activities such as swimming, snorkelling and diving. 

The safety of our community is our highest priority, and we will provide further updates as soon as more information is available.

A team of independent and impartial international election observers will arrive in St Helena ahead of the General Election to be held on Wednesday 3 September 2025. 

The Election Observation Mission is made up of seven observers and is organised by the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association British Islands and Mediterranean Region (CPA BIMR).  

Three parliamentarians from Isle of Man, Guernsey and Gibraltar are part of the mission, as well as two election experts, and two members of staff from the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association UK branch (CPA UK). 

In the run up to election day, the election observers will meet election officials, parliamentary candidates and local groups to get an insight into the electoral process and the specific context of the election. If anyone wishes to share their experience of the election, they can contact the Mission on: cpabimr@parliament.uk . 

The election observers will assess the election against international standards, commitments and obligations, as well as domestic laws. This is the second time that international observers have been invited to St Helena. For the last election in 2021, the Mission was carried out virtually due to Covid-19 restrictions. 

At the start of the mission, at 10:00 on Tuesday 26 August 2025, the mission will hold a press conference to introduce the mission and its aims. After election day, there will be a radio broadcast so that initial findings about the election can be shared. This will be on Friday 5 September 2025.

Two months later, a final report will be released with detailed findings and recommendations. It will be publicly available. 

One of the observers, Deputy Chris Blin, says: 

“It’s a real privilege to have been invited to observe the General Election in St Helena. It’s a special opportunity to strengthen the democratic process, encourage openness, support the upholding of international standards and foster public trust in institutions, as well as connecting with the island’s vibrant community. Over the next two weeks, we’re looking forward to learning from people across the island and sharing this important moment together.” 

  Notes to Editors:  

  1. This international Election Observation Mission is impartial and independent.
  2. CPA UK endorses the Declaration of Principles of International Election Observation and Code of Conduct for International Election Observers.
  3. CPA British Islands & Mediterranean Region (BIMR) is one of nine regions of the CPA network and is committed to strengthening democracy and good governance. Its secretariat is based in the UK Branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (CPA UK). 
  4. Since 2011, CPA BIMR has organised Election Observer Missions (EOM) across six UK Overseas Territories: Anguilla, British Virgin Islands, Montserrat, Turks and Caicos Islands, Cayman Islands and St Helena. More recently, missions have gone to the Crown Dependencies: Jersey, Guernsey and Isle of Man. CPA UK/BIMR has also overseen Election Assessment Missions (EAM) to the UK General Election in 2010, 2015, 2017 and 2024.
  1. For further information, please email: cpabimr@parliament.uk
  2. Our X handle is @CPA _BIMR  
  3. Our hashtag is: #StHelenaEOM

#StHelena #CPA #BIMR

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Every year the UK celebrates National Careers Week (NCW), with this year it being celebrated from Monday 6March through to Saturday 11 March. In recognition of this, for the second year running Career Access St Helena is locally recognising and supporting the event. 

NCW is a one-week celebration of careers guidance and free resources in education across the UK. Itaims to provide a focus for careers guidance activity at an important stage in the academic calendar so as to help support young people develop awareness and excitement about their future pathways. More information on NCW can be found online via www.nationalcareersweek.com. 

Here on St Helena, Career Access recognises not only the importance of careers guidance to young people but for all persons seeking employment or a change in career, and works to facilitate this for all those who require it.

Window Display

To mark this occasion the general public can view a selection of displays from some organisations that participated in this year’s Careers Fair held on Wednesday 15 February. These can be viewed from the front main window display at the Career Access centre, New Porteous House, Jamestown.

Virtual Careers Fairwww.nationalcareersweek.com will be hosting an online virtual fair in which anyone can engage. You can find out more online through www.ncw2023.co.uk

SHG
7 March 2023

The Emergency Planning section of the Safety, Security and Home Affairs Portfolio recently received funding to launch a Community Automated External Defibrillator (AED) project. The project has seen AED’s deployed at a number of key locations around the Island, with more due to be deployed in the coming months.

The funding for this work has been provided by Disaster Management UK, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), Airlink, The Royal St Helena Police Service and the Health and Social Care Portfolio.

What is an AED, and when and how are they used?

Defibrillators are devices that send a safe electric shock to the heart to restore a normal heartbeat when someone is not conscious and not breathing (i.e. they are in cardiac arrest).

A defibrillator may also be referred to as a DEFIB, an AED (Automated External Defibrillator) or a PAD (Public Access Defibrillator). Statistics show that if a defibrillator is used on a patient within the first few minutes of cardiac arrest, they have a 60-70% chance of making a full recovery. 

The type of AEDs being deployed are designed so that they can be used by anyone, without specialist training. Once turned on they will instruct the user through voice commands on exactly how to use the device safely, for both the patient and the operator.

These particular AEDs will only deliver a lifesaving shock to the patient if it is needed. They can tell if this is the case and will talk the user through what to do, meaning people can use the AEDs with confidence in an emergency situation.

The AEDs will be clearly signposted and will be contained in a bright yellow box which looks similar to the below image.

If you require access to an AED, the code to the cabinet can be requested from the Emergency Control Centre when dialling 999.

Where will they be located?

AEDs have now been placed in the following locations:

District Location
Half Tree Hollow Half Tree Hollow Clinic: Outside of main entrance
Francis Plain The Pavilion Area: In the Green Shed
Level wood Silver Hill Shop
Blue Hill Blue Hill Community Centre
Sandy Bay Bamboo Hedge Shop
Rupert’s Sea Rescue Building: Outside the main entrance

Pending planning permission approval, in the near future AEDs will also be placed on Customs building in Jamestown and the Royal St Helena post at Longwood.

There are also other AEDs located in Jamestown at the Police HQ reception and at HM Prison.

A short instructional video on what AEDs are, when and how to use them, and where they are located around the Island, will be played on the Sure Promo Channel, and can be found online at

SHG
22 February 2023