Cedar International School was awarded Top Secondary School, while Enis Adams Primary School secured Top Primary School honors. Among special prize recipients, Sofia Rampersaud of Elmore Stoutt High School and Ava Ghiorse of Cedar International School were recognized as Best Speakers. Matthew Davies of Elmore Stoutt High School received both the Most Innovative Project award and the Judges’ Choice award. Nathan Daniel and Tzaddi Noel of Robinson O’Neal Memorial Primary School earned the Rising Star Award and Best Display. Zuri Samuel of Cedar International School won the Community Impact award, while the People’s Choice award went to a Mini-Hydroponic Garden project from Enid Scatliffe Pre-Primary School.

In the primary division, first-place winners included Kay-Den Percell of Enis Adams Primary School for Lower Primary Experiment, Dottie Whitting-Knight of Cedar International School for Upper Primary Experiment, Matthew Davis of Elmore Stoutt High School for Lower Primary Model, and Daundre Rhodes of Bregado Flax Educational Centre for Upper Primary Model.

In the secondary division, Alexandre Wilson of Cedar International School won Lower Secondary Experiment, while Ro’Elle Baird of Elmore Stoutt High School placed first in Upper Secondary Experiment. Kayden George and Tyler Phipps of Elmore Stoutt High School won Lower Secondary Model, and Malachi Thomas of the BVI Seventh-day Adventist School secured Upper Secondary Model. T’Koya Frett of Elmore Stoutt High School and Joslyn Walter of Bregado Flax Educational Centre won Lower and Upper Secondary Art, respectively.

The National Science and Innovation Fair, held as part of Education Month 2026, featured participation from 19 primary and eight secondary schools across public and private institutions. Students presented models, experiments and artistic interpretations, which were evaluated by a panel of educators, engineers, environmental specialists and other professionals.

Projects were judged on relevance to the theme, scientific application, originality and students’ ability to explain their research and findings.

Minister for Education, Youth Affairs and Sports Honourable Sharie B. de Castro said the event plays a key role in student development.

“The National Science and Innovation Fair showcases what happens when curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking come together in our classrooms,” she said. “Events like this allow our students to explore real-world challenges, apply what they have learned, and develop the confidence to present their ideas and innovations.”

Education Officer for Science and Physical Education Mrs. Renee Weston-Caines said the fair supports both learning and career exploration.

“The fair promotes critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving, while encouraging students to explore careers in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics,” she said.

Public voting for the People’s Choice Award took place during the exhibition period, which was open to visitors on March 19 and March 20 at the Multi-Purpose Sports Complex.

Organizers said this year’s event placed increased emphasis on innovation and local problem-solving, with all models required to be fully functional.

The fair was supported by sponsors including the Guana Fund, Seven Seas, Oil Nut Bay, Unite BVI and Harneys.

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PHOTO: Confiscated items displayed in a slideshow at the recent ESHS PTA meeting, highlighting ongoing security concerns.

– Unconfirmed Reports of Prohibited Items Confiscated

In response to mounting concerns over student safety, Elmore Stoutt High School (ESHS) conducted a surprise security sweep on campus this morning, February 5, leading to unconfirmed reports of prohibited items being confiscated. The search, which lasted well over an hour, was part of a broader initiative endorsed by the Ministry of Education to curb the presence of drugs, alcohol, weapons, and drug-infused foods within the school.

“The Ministry of Education fully supports the efforts of Elmore Stoutt High School to conduct random searches as part of a broader strategy to address the serious concerns of drugs, drug-infused foods, alcohol, and weapons on campus,” a Ministry spokesperson stated. “These measures align with our zero-tolerance policy and reinforce our unwavering commitment to maintaining a safe and secure learning environment.”

The operation, which reportedly involved armed police officers assisting school officials, drew mixed reactions from parents. While many applauded the school’s firm stance on security, others expressed frustration over the extended process and attempted to take their children home. Additionally, unconfirmed reports suggest that some students attempted to breach security protocols to enter the premises during the search.

“It’s a necessary step,” said one concerned parent who wished to remain anonymous. “We’ve been hearing about these issues for a while now, and I’m glad the school is finally doing something serious about it. But communication with parents could have been better.”

The security sweep comes amid broader challenges faced by the school administration, including low parental engagement. With a student population of just over 1400, fewer than a third of parents actively participate in PTA meetings. The school has also struggled to get parents of at-risk students to engage with teachers despite employing various outreach strategies.

A recent round of one-on-one PTA meetings saw dismal attendance, prompting the administration to issue a follow-up letter urging parents to take advantage of additional opportunities to meet with teachers. The letter, posted on January 28 via the school’s official RAMS Facebook page, emphasised the importance of parental involvement in student success.

In the letter, school officials noted their concern about the low turnout, stating, “Too often, we see parents waiting until the end of the school year when their child is in jeopardy of failure.” They also warned parents that failure to attend the rescheduled meetings would result in their children being unable to return to classes. “Instead, they will be placed in a supervised room where their assignments will be provided, and they will remain there until a parent meets with their teachers,” the letter read.

The school administration also reiterated that parents who cannot attend the scheduled meetings may contact teachers directly to arrange alternative meetings or request phone conferences. “We kindly ask that you make every effort to attend or to contact your child’s teachers,” the letter urged.

Despite the challenges, school officials remain steadfast in their approach. “Tackling these issues will require some unorthodox and potentially inconvenient measures, but the safety of our students and teachers is paramount,” the Ministry’s statement read. “We appreciate the cooperation of parents and the wider community as we take the necessary steps to ensure that our students and staff are in the safe environment they deserve.”

Reports indicate that similar security concerns have been raised at Bregado Flax Educational Centre on Virgin Gorda, suggesting a wider issue affecting multiple institutions in the territory.

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The announcement, made by Principal Vanessa Garraway, follows a precautionary closure on Wednesday, May 8th, due to forecasts of continued torrential rains.

The decision to suspend school operations was made to ensure the safety of students and staff, as heavy rainfall resulted in flooding of key school buildings, including the L-shaped and new L. Dorothy structures. With a seventy percent chance of showers persisting, authorities deemed it imperative to prioritise the well-being of the ESHS community.

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