Dear Meredith Lombardo This is our first edition of The Scoop this year due to technical difficulties, and as it is Heritage Month, we thought we would share the story of our Black History Month field trip with over 200 students this past February!  We are delighted to support such a meaningful experience that not only educates but inspires our students. The collaboration with these community partners exemplifies our collective commitment to offering diverse and enriching educational experiences outside of the classroom. Sincerely Mrs. Kalmar Richards Commissioner of Education     An Engaging Historical Learning Experience for Over 200 Students The Department of Education was proud to collaborate with Friends of St Peter’s Church Charity, the African Diaspora Heritage Trail Foundation and the Bermuda National Trust to deliver an enlightening learning experience, "The Development of Slavery in Bermuda" to over 200 students. The initiative, designed to deepen students' understanding of Bermuda's complex history, successfully engaged the students in an immersive learning journey across significant historical sites.     Students from Northlands Primary with Nekesha Holdipp, Social Studies Education Officer   Students from various schools participated in visits to St. Peter's Church, the St. George's Historical Society Museum and the Jemmy Darrell Square, on February 19, 20, and 22. This field trip featured in-depth presentations and discussions led by experts in Bermudian history and heritage. The partnership speaks to Bermuda’s recognition of the UN’s International Decade for People of African Descent and a commitment to highlight contributions of people of African descent worldwide, and educate young people about social justice and inclusion. The students' journey included: - A historical overview of St. Peter’s Church, presented by Rev. Dr. Lorne Bean, highlighting its role in governance and the enactment of enslavement laws. - Insights into the life and legacy of King’s Pilot James ‘Jemmy’ Darrell led at the site of Mr. Darrell’s former home by Maxine Esdaile from the African Diaspora Heritage Trail Foundation. - Reflections on Rev. John Stephenson's efforts to challenge Bermuda’s segregated practices at The St. George’s Historical Society Museum, shared by Nekesha Holdipp, Social Studies Education Officer from the Department of Education. This learning experience aligns with the Department of Education's objectives to provide educational opportunities that foster a comprehensive understanding of local and global history, encouraging students to draw connections between past and present social issues.   Students from Harrington Sound Primary with Rev. Dr. Lorne Bean Alison Outerbridge, manager of Friends of St. Peter’s Church, added that the programme “demonstrated the importance of St Peter's Church as a key site for the experiential study of Bermuda history. "As the charity which supports the restoration, preservation and promotion of St. Peter's, Bermuda's first church, we knew that equity of access to this landmark is a challenge, so the funding support granted to provide transportation to public school children across Bermuda was key to the success of this initiative, which we hope will become an annual event.”   Students from West Pembroke Primary with Maxine Esdaille (ADHT)   Anna Stevenson, Heritage Education Coordinator at the BNT said, “We were delighted to partner with The Friends of St Peter’s Church and the Department of Education in delivering this experience. The students were completely absorbed. One said to me, ‘It’s one thing learning about it in the classroom - it’s another thing actually seeing these places.’ We are incredibly grateful to Rev Bean, Maxine Esdaile and Nekesha Holdipp for their time, and to Alison Outerbridge, who secured the funding for transportation. Without it, this learning experience would not have happened.” Ms Holdipp added: “With Bermuda being a signatory of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, and as our students learn more about Bermuda’s history and develop as world citizens, these partnerships aim to inspire them to continue local and global work to eradicate racism and intolerance, promote human rights, and assist in creating better, more prosperous communities.”   Students from Whitney Institute Middle School and Prospect Primary with Rev. Dr. Lorne Bean The Department of Education is dedicated to creating an educational environment that equips students with the knowledge, skills, and perspectives necessary to navigate and contribute to a complex global society. Through partnerships with community organizations, the Department seeks to enrich the curriculum with real-world opportunities that bring history to life and encourage students to engage critically with the world around them.   If you have news, notices, updates, successes, or event information about any of our schools, partnerships or programmes, please share it with us by completing the form linked in the image above. The primary purpose is to enhance communication within the school district and the wider community. Your submissions may be edited and published as a press release, on our website and/or disseminated through various Bermuda Public Schools communications channels, such as social media, relevant WhatsApp groups and other email newsletters. If you have any questions, please contact comms@moed.bm.   Feedback Corner   Education Reform Feedback If you have any queries about education reform specifically, please email schoolredesign@moed.bm Was the information in this newsletter useful? Yes, thanks for sharing! No Somewhat           

Northlands video shared by Kirk Franklin Sékou HendricksonUpdated: Mar 04, 2024 01:12 PM1 CommentA Bermudian school choir was put under the spotlight on a Grammy-award winning gospel artist’s Instagram account.A video of the Northlands Primary School Choir performing Kirk Franklin’s Bless Me took off on social media, with the artist sharing it on his personal account.Mr Franklin wrote in his post: “When I had the idea for this song for Maverick City, I was concerned that it may come off a little corny and childlike.“Well, God knew.”The song, created with the band Maverick City Music, was released in 2022 for the Kingdom Book One album.Diallo Rabain, the Minister of Education, also gave Northlands Primary and choir leader Terry Henry recognition for their hard work.He said: “What an amazing and inspirational performance of Bless Me by Kirk Franklin.“The Northlands School Choir, under the leadership of Mr Terry Henry, is shining brightly in the international spotlight.“It is an honour to be singled out and celebrated by one of the greatest gospel music artists, Kirk Franklin.“Congratulations, and we are very proud of you. Well done."Tamicia Darrell, the principal of Northlands Primary, said she was excited by the recognition, adding that it was “well deserved” for Mr Henry and the pupils.She said: “The school is known for a lot of great and amazing things.“We have a saying that these types of things make Northlands special, and the production that they have on social media is just one of those types of things.”Ms Darrell noted that the choir placed first in Skyport’s Great Christmas Carol-Off competition last year, and received a $5,000 award.She said that the choir was the school’s strongest method for promoting the arts.She added: “Our kids are amazing in so many ways, but just for them to be featured for their musicality is just as exciting.”Northlands increases reading comprehension levelsAt Northlands Primary School, reading comprehension scores increased dramatically, jumping from 54 per cent to 86 per cent in 18 months, Tamicia Darrell said.She added that this reflected “a very progressive commitment and stance at Northlands to making sure that we cater to the whole child”.Ms Darrell said: “We have a vision that by 2026 100 per cent of our children will be reading at grade level.“We have 14 children left to get us over the hump.“We’ve put all of our time, energy and effort into them.”She added: “Every decision that we make is for students. Every single decision.“We’re really proud, and we’re excited for what we’re doing.”https://www.royalgazette.com/entertainment/news/article/20240304/northlands-video-shared-by-kirk-franklin/ 

Written by Shinah SimmonsThe Commissioner of Education attended Northlands Primary to congratulate the students and teachers on becoming the first school to attain 100% completion of the DreamBox Launchpad Math Assessment. They were awarded one of the trophies sent to the Department by DreamBox. 

https://bernews.com/2023/12/reg-grundy-photo-competition-winners-announced/Reg Grundy Photo Winners Announced December 12, 2023The Dr. Reg Grundy Annual Youth Photography Competition prize-giving and exhibit opening was held at the National Museum of Bermuda [NMB].A spokesperson said, “On Thursday, December 7, a crowd of over 115 students, teachers, family members, sponsors, and judges gathered at the National Museum of Bermuda [NMB] for the Dr. Reg Grundy Annual Youth Photography Competition prize giving and exhibit opening. MP Anthony Richardson, joined by Senator Arianna Hodgson, had the honour of officially opening this year’s exhibit.“In memory of Dr. Reg Grundy, AC, OBE, whose photographic legacy and passion for Bermuda live on in his work, the late Mrs. Joy Chambers Grundy and NMB established the Dr. Reg Grundy Annual Youth Photography Competition in 2019. Open to all local photography enthusiasts between 7 and 18, the competition is designed to inspire the next generation of photographers and encourage an appreciation for Bermuda’s natural and cultural environment.“A panel of local judges: Chris Burville, local photographer, Dr. Deborah Atwood, NMB Curator, and Chinni Mahadevan, Reg Grundy Photographic Libraries Curator, had a challenging time choosing the 27 finalists from almost 600 submissions submitted by 23 local schools.”NMB Executive Director Elena Strong shared: “Thank you to Mrs. Grundy and our sponsors: A.F. Smith, Phoenix Stores and Clarien Bank. It is fantastic to see how much the competition has grown and the calibre of photos has increased over the past five years! Congratulations to everyone who submitted—we have an impressive group of talented young photographers in Bermuda. The competition is a great opportunity for students to develop their creativity, patience, visual literacy and ability to closely look at the world around them in a unique way, and share their perspective through art. For those who entered but were not selected as finalists, I encourage you to continue being curious, take photographs and share your point of view by submitting again next year!”The spokesperson said, “Students submitted photos under the themes People of Bermuda, Bermuda Buildings and Bermuda Wildlife & Nature in three age categories, 7-10, 11-14 and 15-18. Winners received Iron Kids Accounts at Clarien Bank [amounts between $500 and $200 based on age group], runners-up received $150 gift cards to Brown & Co. stores, and the school with the most submissions [based on percentage] – Bermuda Institute – won a $1,500 gift certificate to A.F. Smith for school supplies. This year, to honour what would have been Dr. Grundy’s 100th birthday, a special prize was given to every 100th submission. Winners and runners-up photos are on display on the second floor of Commissioner’s House at NMB, with honorable mentions also featured on the NMB website: www.nmb.bm/rg-photo-competition.“Josiah Tull, Bermuda Institute, won his age group [7-10] in the People of Bermuda category and winning a $200 Iron Kids account, and was selected as runner up in the Bermuda Wildlife & Nature category, winning a $150 gift card to Brown & Co. His entry was also chosen as Best in Show and was presented with a Canon DSLR camera with lenses, memory card, filters and monopod, donated by Mrs. Grundy.”Finalists list:School with the highest percentage of submissions: Bermuda InstitutePrimary [ages 7-10]Bermuda BuildingsWinner: Hugo Adams, Somersfield AcademyRunner-Up: Mila Lowe, Northlands Primary SchoolHonourable Mention: Kimoni Simons, Elliott PrimaryPeople of BermudaWinner and Best in Show: Josiah Tull, Bermuda InstituteRunner Up: Joseph Yammine, Mount Saint AgnesHonourable Mention: Tyson Saltus, Bermuda InstituteBermuda Wildlife & NatureWinner: Savana Honey Walters, Warwick AcademyRunner Up: Josiah Tull, Bermuda InstituteHonourable Mention: Nathan Rego, Mount Saint AgnesMiddle School [ages 11-14]Bermuda BuildingsWinner: D’angelo Williams, Mount Saint AgnesRunner Up: Linden Packet, Warwick AcademyHonourable Mention: Alisa Lightbourne, SaltusPeople of BermudaWinner: Jaide Stowe, Bermuda InstituteRunner Up: A’miley Bean, Bermuda InsituteHonourable Mention: Charles Fox, Bermuda InstituteBermuda Wildlife & NatureWinner: Seth Neill, Warwick AcademyRunner Up: Lucas Myers, Warwick AcademyHonourable Mention: Amaya Nusum-Bean, Bermuda InstituteHigh School [ages 15-18]Bermuda BuildingsWinner: Yari Mello, Cedarbridge AcademyRunner Up: Aidan Euler: Bermuda InstituteHonourable Mention: Melissa Hassel, Warwick AcademyPeople of BermudaWinner: Naomi Every, Somersfield AcademyRunner Up: Abby Davis, MSAHonourable Mention: Sophie Weikl, Mount Saint AgnesBermuda Wildlife & NatureWinner: Luke Foster, Warwick AcademyRunner Up: Jonah Every, Somersfield AcademyHonourable Mention: Avalon Packer, Warwick Academy Mila and her family at the Prize Presentation at The Commissioner's House in Dockyard.

https://bernews.com/2023/12/bermuda-institute-northlands-win-grand-prizes/  Bermuda Institute & Northlands Win Grand PrizesDecember 15, 2023 | 1 CommentThe Great Christmas Carol-Off winners have been announced, with the performances of such a high caliber that Skyport upgraded the prize money to a total of $13,000; Bermuda Institute’s Senior Choir won the $5,000 grand prize, Northlands Primary won a new $5,000 grand prize for primary schools, and Warwick Academy’s Middle School Choir earned the $2500 runner-up prize, while the $1200 People’s Choice winner is still open for voting.A spokesperson said, “The Great Christmas Carol-Off, a highlight of Skyport’s slate of holiday festivities at the LF Wade International Airport, wrapped up on Thursday, December 14, 2023. Today, Skyport announces three winners of The Great Christmas Carol-Off, a musical competition between twenty groups from eighteen schools that unfolded beneath Bermuda’s Biggest Christmas Tree. In an unexpected move, President Aaron Adderley introduced a second Grand Prize Winner category for Primary Schools to ensure outstanding performances from across the junior and senior age divisions could be recognised.”Aaron Adderley said, “The Great Carol-Off performances lit up the terminal, and we were delighted by the energy and enthusiasm from groups across the age spectrum. It was clear that the various schools and groups invested significant effort into each presentation. We knew that we would have to find a way to honour the performances of the best junior performers in a category separate and apart from those of the extraordinary senior and middle school students. We are thrilled to be able to add this special prize today.”The spokesperson said, “Bermuda Institute’s Senior Choir, directed by Owen Simons, emerged as the overall grand prize winner with a flawless score that elicited a thunderous response from departing passengers and a jam-packed audience at the end of their performance on Thursday. Meanwhile, the newly introduced primary school grand prize was secured by Northlands Primary Choir, which delivered an energetic fifteen-minute performance directed by Terry Henry on Monday. Warwick Academy’s Middle School Choir earned the runner-up prize for their dynamic performance orchestrated by music teacher Deanna Friesen.Northlands Primary Choir“The judging panel, led by Chief Judge Dale Butler, alongside Choir Director Michelle Doars and Skyport Representative Tusha Stovell, employed a comprehensive grading matrix encompassing aspects of harmonic prowess, creativity, Christmas spirit, and professionalism to determine the winners. Skyport’s finance team tabulated the scores and verified the final prize allocations.“Skyport has pledged over $100k annually to support Bermuda’s youth as part of its corporate giving framework. The Great Christmas Carol-Off was initiated to support Bermuda’s school music programmes and nurture the country’s musical talent.”President Aaron Adderley expressed, “As our second annual school musical presentation, we are thrilled at the growth and the incredible community response. We Initiated the competition fund to fortify support for schools’ music programs, aligning with our dedication to community and social responsibility, especially in endorsing STEAM initiatives for youth. Research has shown the powerful impact of music education on the social, academic and social development of young people, and we are proud to provide this platform to support even the smallest musical programme or after-school choir club to flex their musical muscles.”Bermuda InstituteThe spokesperson said, “The event saw a full house each day, welcoming enthusiastic audiences comprising parents, grandparents, residents of senior care homes, and students from island preschools. The overwhelming community support emphasised the importance of nurturing the arts in Bermuda.”Nikki ***an, Head of Brand Development and Communications, added, “Each school was amazing as the hundreds in attendance, positive sentiment and thousands of views on our social platforms can attest. The community’s remarkable support underscores the value of the arts and our young people to Bermuda. We eagerly anticipate expanding this initiative further in 2024. Congratulations to the Ministry of Education, all the schools, students, and their parents for their outstanding contributions. Skyport looks forward to continuing its commitment to youth with an exciting slate of Skyport-supported initiatives starting in March 2023.”The spokesperson said, “The People’s Choice Award, valued at $1,200, runs until December 31, 2023, and relies on community voting to select the most popular performance group. The three winners chosen by the judges: Bermuda Institute, Northlands Primary and Warwick Academy Middle School, will be ineligible for the People’s Choice cash prize. Should they get the most votes, the next eligible group will be named the People’s Choice winner.”To vote for the People’s Choice winner you have to comment ‘yes’ on their highlight reel on Skyport’s Instagram page, and you can view all our coverage of the 3-day event here on Bernews, with the coverage including videos of all performances.