Latest Posts
SHG is pleased to confirm that the major incident regarding airport operations has now been stood down. This follows the return of all three airport fire tenders to full operational status and successful flights to and from St Helena, Ascension and South Africa this week. Normal operations have now resumed.
Gold Command stands down
With the airport now operating as normal, the Gold Command Group was formally stood down this morning, with a final briefing which included thanks to all teams involved from the Chief Minister.
The work of Gold Command was underpinned by the Multi-Agency Gold Incident Command (MAGIC) training undertaken last year, as well as emergency response plan testing overseen by the Emergency Planning Department. This internationally recognised framework ensured that the Major Incident was managed with a high level of coordination.
A formal multi-agency debrief will be conducted in the forthcoming weeks. This process is designed to identify further improvements to the process and highlight where close multi-agency working was successfully implemented.
Strengthening resilience and infrastructure
Whilst the major incident has concluded, further work will continue led by the airport or the relevant portfolio.
These workstreams include:
New fire tenders for the airport
The issues with the airport fire tenders have caused us to speed up our scheduled replacement programme. With thanks to support from the FCDO, we have been able to order two new fire tenders for delivery early in the new financial year.
Business support
Work on a support package for local businesses directly impacted by the airport closure continues to progress. More information on this will be available shortly.
Investigation into the incident
The Governor has previously committed to an investigation to establish the root cause of the airport closure. This is now in the planning phase. More detail will be shared in due course. We remain committed to transparency.
A message of thanks
The successful restoration of services in less than two weeks is a testament to the resilience and collective spirit of our community.
Chief Secretary and Gold Commander, Ian Todd, said:
“I am extremely grateful to everyone involved for the long hours and hard work put into resolving this incident. That is not just public servants but also the Governor’s Office, Saint Helena Airport Ltd, Solomons and many other individuals and organisations. The teamworking ethos has been exceptional. Our major incident plans have worked effectively, which I hope reassures the public.”
A passenger affected by the Airport Closure, Lauren Williams, conveyed her thanks:
“Following the temporary closure of Saint Helena Airport, I would like to sincerely thank everyone involved in resolving the situation and restoring flights as quickly as possible. As someone travelling alone, it was a stressful and uncertain time, and I really appreciated the regular updates and clear communication, which helped reassure us and kept us informed throughout.
I’m also extremely grateful for how well we were looked after in Johannesburg — accommodation, meals, and support were all organised and handled smoothly, which took a huge weight off my shoulders.
Thanks to the hard work, overtime, and commitment of everyone involved, I was able to return home safely to my family sooner than expected, and I will always be grateful for the care and effort shown during such a difficult situation.”
#StHelena #AirAccess
As part of the UK Government-funded Economic Development Investment Programme (EDIP) Playgrounds Project, St Helena Government (SHG) Crown Estates is pleased to announce a specialised training opportunity in partnership with UK-based company GB Sport and Leisure.
The Play Equipment Inspection and Maintenance training course will take place from Monday, 16 March, to Friday, 20 March 2026. The programme will commence at 08:45 upstairs in the Canister, Jamestown.
The training is designed to align with the Register of Play Inspectors International (RPII) accredited standards. Participants will gain comprehensive knowledge through classroom sessions and practical site visits to Longwood Green, Half Tree Hollow (HTH), Sandy Bay, and Blue Hill Field Centre.
Key modules include:
- Legal and Safety Standards: Understanding BS EN1176 recommendations and inspection hierarchies.
- Practical Inspection: Methodology, identifying faults with photographic examples, and risk assessments.
- Reporting: Compiling professional inspection reports and following manufacturer maintenance guidelines.
Opportunities for the Private Sector
Crown Estates intends for the future maintenance of developed playgrounds, starting with Longwood Green and HTH, to be delivered via private sector contracts (subject to recurrent budget).
This training is highly recommended for private individuals or businesses interested in tendering for these upcoming contracts. Whilst placements are reserved for relevant SHG personnel (e.g., Crown Estates and Building Services), remaining placements are open to the public.
Important Details for Applicants
- Cost: The training is provided free of charge.
- Requirements: Candidates must bring their own pen, paper, clipboard, and refreshments.
- Transport: Private sector participants are responsible for their own transport to and from training sites.
- Capacity: Total placements are limited to a maximum of 12 participants.
How to Apply
Interested parties should submit an Expression of Interest to Gina Henry, Crown Estates Officer, no later than Wednesday, 4 March 2026.
- Phone: 22270
- Email: gina.henry@sainthelena.gov.sh
Successful candidates will be notified of their placement by Friday, 6 March 2026.
Photos
Playground equipment and Health and Wellbeing Package planned for installation at Half Tree Hollow
Playground equipment planned for installation at Longwood Green
#StHelena #CrownEstates #EDIP #PlaygroundSafety #TrainingOpportunity
www.facebook.com/StHelenaGovt/
On Friday, 20 February 2026, students, parents, and distinguished guests gathered in the St Helena Secondary School (SHSS) Hall for the annual Certificate and Awards Ceremony. This event celebrates student achievement and the successful completion of various qualifications.
The ceremony commenced with a warm welcome from Minister of Education, Skills and Employment, Andrew Turner, who addressed the audience before the presentation of certificates began.
The first round of awards recognised former Year 10, 11, 12, and 13 students, who received their certificates for a range of qualifications, including the General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE), Vocationally Related Qualifications (VRQ), Advanced Subsidiary (AS-Level), and Advanced Level (A-Level).
Following this, individual awards were presented to students who excelled in various disciplines, celebrating outstanding achievements across multiple areas.
| Award | Awardee |
| Jean Beadon Art Award | Sitthipon (Om) Sawangwong |
| Governor’s Award for academic excellence and achievement at Key Stage 3 | Jude Jacobs and Bethany Bennett |
| PTA Student of the Year Award for the top performing student in Year 11 and Year 13 | Asa Bushuru and Leah Bedwell |
| SURE Award for the top performing male and female in Year 11 | Rebekah Braaf and Asa Bushuru |
| Jeanette Williams Mathematics Achievement Award for the highest Mathematics score in Year 11 and Year 13 | Kalem Henry and Asa Bushuru |
| English Achievement Award for the highest English score in Year 11 and Year 13 | Rebekah Braaf and Isabella Scott |
| Eliza Mary Lloyd Trust Agriculture Award for commitment to agriculture | Ashley Henry |
| Bishop Houghton Award for pastoral care and support of the community | Diederik Robbertse |
| Joy George Award for outstanding effort, progress and achievement at the end of Key Stage 3 | Jacob Herne |
Teachers Steve Plato and Gavie Williams were also recognised for their commitment to continued professional development in achieving the following awards:
- Mr Steve Plato received his Professional Development Qualification Diploma in Teaching and Learning
- Mrs Gavie Williams received her Postgraduate Certificate in Education
Throughout the ceremony, various musical items were performed by SHSS students under the guidance of Music Teacher, James Fantom. Willow Yon-Duncan performed a piece ‘10 000 Reasons’ on the violin, Year 7 music students performed a cultural Cameroonian folk song called ‘Bela Mama’ and the Enrichment Rock Band performed a song called ‘Seven Nation Army’.
The ceremony concluded with a vote of thanks from Head Teacher, Phil Toal, with closing remarks delivered by HE Governor Nigel Phillips.
Head Teacher for SHSS, Phil Toal, commented:
“Our annual Certificate and Awards Ceremony is one of the highlights of the school year, as it gives us the opportunity to publicly recognise the commitment, resilience and ambition shown by our young people. The achievements celebrated today reflect not only academic success, but also the character, determination and growth of our students across a wide range of pathways.
I am immensely proud of all our award recipients and certificate holders, and grateful to our dedicated staff who continue to go above and beyond to support and inspire our learners. Events like this remind us that success comes in many forms – from examination results and vocational achievements to creativity, leadership and service to others.
My thanks go to parents, carers and partners for their continued support, and to our performers who added such warmth and vibrancy to the ceremony. Together, as a school community, we are committed to ensuring that every young person at SHSS is given the opportunity to thrive and to realise their potential.”
Photos
Former Year 10 recipients of qualification certificates
Former Year 11 recipients of qualification certificates
Recipients of AS-level qualifications
Recipients of A-level qualifications
Om Sawangwong receiving the Jean Beadon Art Award
The Governor’s Award for Excellence at Key Stage 3 were awarded to Jude Jacobs and Bethany Bennett
Jeanette Williams Maths Awardees Kalem Henry and Asa Bushuru
Eliza Mary Lloyd Trust Agriculture Award for commitment to agriculture recipient Ashley Henry
Diederik Robbertse received the Bishop Houghton Award
Performers Willow Yon-Duncan, Year 7 students and the Enrichment Rock Band
Portfolio Director, Ceri Morgan, presents Teachers Steve Plato and Gavie Williams with their awards
HE the Governor delivered closing remarks
#StHelena #Awards #AltogetherBetterForChildrenAndYoungPeople
www.facebook.com/StHelenaGovt/
The public are advised that construction works to replace the existing lighting on Jacob’s Ladder will commence on 2 March 2026. The new lighting was generously donated by Lord Ashcroft to the UK St Helena Heritage Trust, and the installation works are being funded through the Economic Development Investment Programme (EDIP) and delivered by Solomon & Company (St Helena) Plc will be carried out in two phases and is expected to take several weeks to complete.
During the initial phase, access from the top of the ladder to the footpath connecting to Shy Road will remain open during daylight hours. However, as the existing lights will be disconnected during the works, the entire ladder will be closed nightly from 17:00 and reopen at 07:45 each morning to ensure public safety.
As the project progresses, it will also become necessary to close the full length of the ladder to protect the safety of all users. The area will be secured, and appropriate signage will be placed at all access points. Users are kindly requested to comply with the safety measures in place and to refrain from entering restricted areas.
The public are thanked for their patience and apologises for any inconvenience caused.
SHG
23 February 2026
Due to flight operations on Tuesday, 24 February and Wednesday, 25 February 2026, the HM Customs and Immigration Office at Liberation House, Ruperts, advises the public of the following service changes:
- Customs: Only merchant cargo and duty prepayments will be processed/issued.
- Immigration: The Immigration service will be closed.
Normal operations for both departments will resume on Thursday, 26 February 2026.
SHG
23 February 2026
A meeting of the Police and Crime Panel will take place on Thursday 5 March 2026 from 13:00 to 14:30. This meeting will be held at the conference room in Customs House, Jamestown.
The agenda will include a Police and Crime Panel report from the Temporary Director of Police and a question and answer (QA) section from the panel. A report summary will be made available to the public the day before the meeting via the SHG website at www.sainthelena.gov.sh/portfolios/safety-security-and-home-affairs/police-service/. In this meeting, the panel will also review its Terms of Reference.
The panel consists of the following members:
- Governor Nigel Phillips CBE (Chairperson)
- Administrator of Ascension Island, Rowan Laxton
- Minister for Safety, Security and Home Affairs (SSHA), Gillian Brooks
- Elected Member of the St Helena Legislative Council, Derek Thomas
- Portfolio Director for SSHA, Alex Mitham
- Attorney General, Andrew Duncan
- Chief Executive Officer for the Equality and Human Rights Commission, Catherine Turner
We welcome attendance and input from all community members and stakeholders as these reforms progress.
For more information, please contact the Temporary Director of Police, Kevin Weir, by telephone on (00290) 22626 or by email through kevin.weir@sainthelena.gov.sh.
You can also view the Police and Crime Plan online at www.sainthelena.gov.sh/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/St-Helena-Police-Service-Police-and-Crime-Plan-v1.1.pdf.
The meeting will be live streamed via the SHG YouTube Channel at https://www.youtube.com/@sthelenagovernment1638. A recording of the meeting will be uploaded following the meeting. Unfortunately, due to technical difficulties, the recording of the previous meeting held in November 2025 was unable to be published, however previous panel meetings are available to view.
Following each meeting printed versions of the Police and Crime Panel report will also be made available at the Customer Service Centre and Public Library. Previous reports are now available to view at these locations.
#StHelena #RSHP #PoliceandCrimePanel
The Marine Centre Building at the Jamestown Wharf is temporarily closed while building works are carried out. The Marine and Fisheries Conservation Section Team has relocated to the Marine Enforcement Office and can still be reached on telephone numbers 25966 and 25947.
The public are thanked for their understanding and cooperation during this time.
SHG
19 February 2026
Following the successful repatriation of all passengers affected by the recent airport closure, we are pleased to announce that Airlink have reopened bookings via their website. As all previously affected travellers have now been accommodated, we have limited spare seats available for the upcoming flight on Saturday, 21 February.
Please contact your normal travel provider if you wish to purchase a ticket.
Nominations are now being invited for the following awards:
UK STATE AWARDS – 2027 NEW YEAR HONOURS
Honours are awarded on merit for exceptional achievement or for any service carried out over and above what normally is expected. This can include making a difference to the community or in a specific field of work, innovation and entrepreneurship, improving life for people less able to help themselves and displaying moral courage. Where possible, nominations should place emphasis on voluntary services, and the service must be recent. Nominees must not be made aware they are being put forward for an award.
To find out more about the different types of Honours Awards please visit: www.gov.uk/honours
CERTIFICATE AND BADGE OF HONOUR 2027
This award is presented to public servants on behalf of St Helena Government for loyal and valuable service worthy of recognition or, in the case of other persons, for their loyal and meritorious conduct that has provided exceptional benefit to the people of St Helena. Nominees should be residents of St Helena, either being born on the Island or have been residing on St Helena for not less than ten years prior to the date of the award.
ACT OF BRAVERY AWARD 2027
This award is presented to individuals who have shown a clear display of moral courage and bravery in adverse situations.
THE BADGE OF ST HELENA
This award is available to both St Helenians and non-St Helenians. It is off a higher status than the Certificate and Badge of Honour. The Badge of St Helena recognises exceptional service provided by individuals or organisations who make significant contribution to St Helena’s development or by supporting and/or enhancing social, cultural, economic, environmental improvement or the understanding of St Helena internationally.
FREEDOM OF THE CITY OF JAMESTOWN
This award is symbolic in nature and is the highest-level of local government award that can be conferred. It is awarded to both St Helenians and non-St Helenians whose achievements are significantly admirable and highly worthy of distinctive recognition. Those who receive this award will have made an outstanding contribution that is of huge national impact to St Helena and its citizens and will have served the best interests of the Island.
Nomination forms for all of the above awards, are available from Central Support Service at the Castle, Jamestown, or can be requested via email: linda.benjamin@sainthelena.gov.sh.
Completed forms should be returned to the Castle in a sealed envelope marked ‘Confidential’ addressed to ‘The Secretary, Honours and Awards Committee’, by Monday, 27 April 2026.
SHG
18 February 2026
St Helena Government (SHG) is pleased to confirm that in close liaison with Airlink, an early flight window to Ascension Island has been agreed. This arrangement will support those whose travel plans were disrupted by the recent closure, including passengers awaiting onward connections to the Falkland Islands via Ascension.
The flight scheduled for Tuesday, 24 February, will arrive and depart for Ascension Island on the same day. A return flight from Ascension will then arrive in St Helena on 25 February, before departing onward to Johannesburg.
Passengers affected by changes to the outbound flight will be contacted directly by Solomons.
We remain grateful to the public for their support and resilience.