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A large shark was first sighted inshore on the weekend commencing 22 August 2025, specifically along the leeward/northern side of the island. A further sighting of a shark was seen around 06:00 on Tuesday, 9 September 2025, at the back of the moorings. Maritime, along with Marine Fisheries and Conservation Section continue to monitor the situation.
As a precautionary measure, we ask everyone to remain extra careful and vigilant when in or near the water.
Important Guidance:
- For swimmers: Any activities taken in the water are at your own risk
- For mariners and fishermen: Please remain vigilant when operating your vessels and avoid close contact with any marine life.
- For everyone: If a shark is spotted, do not approach or interact with it. Instead, observe from a safe distance and report the details (location, time, estimated size) to the contact below.
It is important for us to identify the species involved in this sighting so that we can assess any potential threat levels to public safety and understand the ecological implications. Accurate information will help us make informed decisions about precautionary measures and long-term marine management.
Report sightings to Marine Fisheries and Conservation Officer, Adam Riggs, by telephone on 25966 or via email through adam.riggs@sainthelena.gov.sh.
When reporting, please provide as much detail as possible, including:
- Location and time of sighting
- Estimated size and behaviour
- Photographs or video (if safe to obtain)
Fishers and members of the public are reminded to discard fish waste responsibly:
- Rock fishers: Take waste inland and dispose of it in a bin.
- Boat fishers: Discard fish waste at least one mile out from the shore.
Discarding fish waste close to the coast can attract sharks closer to shore to feed, increasing the risk near popular areas such as James Bay and Rupert’s Bay. This can impact 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.
The St Helena Community College, ELC and Career Access St Helena will close their offices from 12:00 to 16:00 on Friday, 12 September 2025 .
Normal hours will resume on Monday, 15 September 2025.
The Education, Skills and Employment Portfolio thanks the public for their understanding and apologises for any inconvenience this may cause.
Please be advised that the Immigration Section will have revised opening hours from Thursday, 11 September to Monday, 15 September 2025.
During this period, the section will be open to the public from 09:00 to 12:00 only on the following dates:
- Thursday, 11 September 2025
- Friday, 12 September 2025
- Monday, 15 September 2025
These temporary changes are necessary to facilitate our move from the Jamestown office to our new location in Rupert’s.
Normal business hours will resume at 08:30 on Tuesday, 16 September 2025.
We appreciate your patience and understanding as we make this important transition.
The inaugural meeting of the newly elected Legislative Council took place in the Council Chamber today. Local media, members of the public and Public Service officials attended to witness the first formal meeting under the new elected government.
The proceedings were opened with the entry of the President, His Excellency Governor Nigel Phillips CBE, followed by Prayers and the Administration of Oaths where each Member was called forward to take before the Governor the Oath of Allegiance and Due Execution of Office of Member of the Legislative Council.
Governor Phillips presided over the meeting.
In his opening Address (full copy) HE the Governor said:
“It is a great pleasure to welcome you today as you take your seats in this Chamber, having earned the trust of the people of St Helena through democratic election. Whether you are returning to Council or joining it for the first time, your presence here reflects a commitment to public service that deserves recognition and respect.
The work of this Council is central to the life of our democracy. As elected representatives, you are entrusted with three core responsibilities: to make legislation that services the long-term interests of the island; to scrutinise the work of government with fairness and rigour; and to represent the voices, concerns, and aspirations of your constituents.”
HE the Governor concluded by saying:
“I recognise that the months ahead will bring challenges. There will be difficult decisions, competing priorities, and moments of disagreement. But I also know that this Council brings together a wealth of experience, insight, and commitment. If you approach your work with humility, with a willingness to listen, and with a focus on the common good, you will serve this island well.
Let me close by thanking each of you for stepping forward to serve. The people of St Helena have placed their confidence in you. I wish you wisdom, strength, and unity as you begin this important work.”
Elections then followed for the Speaker, Deputy Speaker and Chief Minister:
At this point the Attorney General presented a motion to suspend Standing Orders concerning the election of the Speaker and to agree to the adoption of alternative procedures to allow for all candidates to be nominated and seconded en bloc. The motion was supported unanimously.
Speaker
Six nominations were received for the role of Speaker. However after five rounds of voting, votes were tied and a motion was agreed that the elections for Speaker and Deputy Speaker would be adjourned.
Chief Minister
There was one nomination for Chief Minister which resulted in the Honourable Dr Rebecca Cairns-Wicks being elected as the second Chief Minister for St Helena.
Legislative Council will resume tomorrow, 11 September, the main items of business will be the election of the Speaker and the Deputy Speaker.
Photo
New Chief Minister, Dr Rebecca Cairns-Wicks
#StHelena #LegislativeCouncil #ChiefMinister
www.facebook.com/StHelenaGovt/
Legislative Council have today voted in a new Chief Minister for St Helena. Initially there were several expressions of interest for this role, however after considerable discussion among all Elected Members, only one expression of interest remained. Today the Honourable Dr Rebecca Cairns-Wicks received the unanimous support of all Elected Members to be the island’s new Chief Minister. Elected Members take this opportunity to congratulate Dr Rebecca Cairns-Wicks and to reiterate their support for her as the Chief Minister.
The inaugural meeting of St Helena Legislative Council will take place at 10am on Wednesday, 10 September 2025, in the Council Chambers.
The meeting will be broadcast live via South Atlantic Media Services (SAMS) Radio 1.
The Order Paper, can be viewed on the SHG website at: https://www.sainthelena.gov.sh/st-helena/government/legislative-council/order-papers/.
The Post and Customer Services Centre (PCSC) would like to inform customers that, due to the low customer numbers the PCSC will close on alternate Saturdays on a trial basis.
This will take effect from Saturday, 13 September 2025 to Saturday, 22 November 2025.
An opening hours schedule will be posted on the notice board outside the PCSC.
Thanks are extended in advance to the public for their co-operation.
Revised Saturday Opening Hours
| Closed | Open |
| 13 September 2025 | 20 September 2025 |
| 27 September 2025 | 4 October 2025 |
| 11 October 2025 | 18 October 2025 |
| 25 October 2025 | 1 November 2025 |
| 8 November 2025 | 15 November 2025 |
| 22 November 2025 | 29 November 2025 |
His Excellency the Governor extends sincere thanks to everyone who took part in the General Election held on Wednesday, 3 September 2025.
A total of 1,147 valid votes were cast, representing 56% of those eligible to vote. This reflects the continuing commitment of the community to St Helena’s democratic process.
The Governor extends congratulations to the 12 candidates elected to serve as Members of the Legislative Council and appreciation to all who stood for election, contributing to open debate and providing meaningful choice for voters.
Thanks are also extended to the Returning Officer, election officials, presiding officers, poll clerks, counting staff and volunteers whose professionalism ensured the election was conducted smoothly and transparently, and to those in the community who supported others to attend the polls.
The General Election is a reminder of the importance of civic responsibility and the role each person plays in shaping the island’s future.
#StHelena #GeneralElection
www.facebook.com/StHelenaGovt/
The public are advised that Customs, Immigration, and Port Control will begin relocating from Customs House at the Wharf to the new Rupert’s Cargo Facility starting Monday, 08 September 2025.
Services in Jamestown will continue as normal until the move is complete; however, please note there may be some disruptions during the transition. Staff will also have limited access to email and telephone communications during this period.
We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and thank you for your patience and understanding.
Further updates and information will be shared as the relocation progresses.
SHG
05 September 2025
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
- Building work will begin at the KS1 site (Harford Primary School).
- All KS1 students from the three existing primary schools will relocate to the St Paul’s Primary School site.
- All KS2 students will relocate to the Pilling Primary School site.
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
- The new KS1 School will officially open at the renovated Harford Primary School site.
- KS2 students will remain at Pilling Primary School while renovations begin on their future school site.
Phase III: March 2027 – KS2 School Launch
- Following the completion of works, the new KS2 School will officially launch at the renovated St Paul’s Primary School site.
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