“Generosity is doing something for someone without expecting anything in return”
Produced by: Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA)
Beersheba Primary School (Government Leased)
New Market P.O., Saint Elizabeth, Jamaica, West Indies
E-mail: beershebaoldstudentsassn@gmail.com
Officers: Glenis Daley, President
Vincent Samuels, ASC, BBA, Secretary/Treasurer, Newsletter Editor/Producer
Ann Hamilton, Assistant Secretary
OBJECTIVE
The objective of BOSA Newsletter is to inform and educate the people in Beersheba Primary School Community and all Beersheba Primary School Alumni in Jamaica and the Diaspora by means of clean and wholesome news. In doing so, the Newsletter will continue to highlight and celebrate their achievements, mourn their losses, defend their rights and articulate their needs. With meticulous calculated professional news reporting, the Newsletter will ceaselessly expose the entrenched culture of silence, secrecy, non-response and pussy-footing that has characterized the unscrupulous tyrannical oligarchy rule that is tarnished with nepotism that is designed to frustrate Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) as it continues to work assiduously as the safety net and mentor for voiceless and vulnerable students who reside in the impoverished peasant farming Beersheba Primary School Community from falling through the cracks cognizant of the fact, that had it not been for intervention of the Association, these students would be left alone to fend for themselves contrary to the vision of James “Dick” Richards, (1872-1965), Beersheba Primary School Alumnus, Soldier, Self-made Businessman, Philanthropist and Icon.
REFLECTION ON BEERSHEBA PRIMARY SCHOOL ALUMNI THAT HAVE PASSED ON
Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) joins with family members, relatives and friends who are grieving and mourning the loss of their love ones who have passed away since our last newsletter was published. May the memories of these bereaved love ones continue to linger in our hearts and minds cognizant that Sunset in one land is Sunrise in another.
CONTINUED REFUSAL BY SCHOOL BOARD BEERSHEBA PRIMARY SCHOOL TO PAY BOSA AND VINCRENT SAMUELS LEGITIMATE OUTSTANDING AMOUNTS OWED BY JAMES RICHARDS EDUCATIONAL TRUST FUND AS AUTHORIZED BY PERMANENT SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF EDUCATION, YOUTH AND INFORMATION
The subject matter which is mentioned on page 1, 2 and 3 in Volume 40 January 2020 of BOSA Newsletter remains unresolved because of the Board’s defiance to carry out legitimate directive given to it by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Youth and Information.
PROGRESS REPORT ON NASHENA DOBBS, NASHANA DOBBS, DURVANE BROWN SAMEIKA MAITLAND, DEVONNETTE SMITH AND TANASHAY JONES
NASHEENA DOBBS
Nasheena Dobbs who is currently a grade 9 student at Mount Alvernia High School, Montego Bay, Saint James, is now focusing on Business Studies. Nashena’s present grade is 88.
NASHANA DOBBS
With the sudden passing of Nashana’s mother Nola Delisser, former Janitress at Beersheba Primary School, information received from Faye, Nashana’s grandmother; is that a transfer is being sought the Principal of Hampton School that will enable Nashana to attend Mount Alvernia High School, Montego Bay where her sister Nasheena is currently enrolled. Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) hopes that this transfer will turn out to be in the best interest and welfare of Nashana and that she will continue to excel academically.
BOSA wishes to extend condolence on behalf of all Beersheba Primary School Alumni in Jamaica and the Diaspora to all members of the family as they mourn and grieve the loss of their love one.
DURVANE BROWN
As expected, Duvanne Brown’s School Grade Report for Christmas Term 2021 has revealed that Duvanne has to buckle down and devote time to complete and submit all assignments that his teacher gave to him. With all the assistance that BOSA has given to Duvanne (see comments in his progress report on page 2 of 10 Volume 46 July 2021 BOSA Newsletter), it is hoped that having sat his school exams, Duvanne’s Term Report will improve in comparison to his School Grade Report.
SAMEIKA MAITLAND
Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) is pleased to report that Sameika Maitland continues to maintain excellent performance in academia in her pursuit of the Bachelor of Science Degree in Environmental Health at the University of Technology (UTECH) Kingston Campus, Jamaica West Indies.
Despite challenges that Sameika is encountering in not being able to attend face to face classes because of COVID-19 Pandemic, Sameika’s dedication and discipline to online classes, has rewarded her with A’s and B+’s for Christmas Term 2020.
Notwithstanding Sameika being able to negotiate and access funding from The Government of Jamaica Students Loan Bureau to defray the cost of her tuition; Sameika who boards on campus is experiencing financial challenge to defray the cost of her boarding expenses.
If there is any Beersheba Primary School Alumna/Alumnus, Honorary BOSA Member, friends and well-wishers who would like to assist Sameika overcome her plight, please send your generous sacrificial financial contribution by check/cheque, Western Union Money Transfer or MoneyGram Money Transfer payable Juliett Mullings, Sameiks’s mother whose address mailing address is as follows:
Juliett Mullings
New Savannah District
New Market P.O.
Saint Elizabeth
Jamaica West Indies
DEVONNETTE SMITH
Devonnette Smith, from Beersheba, New Market, Saint Elizabeth, granddaughter of the late Victor Smith, 1st Vice President Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) who is currently a grade 8 student at Saint Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS) has a current grade of 85.4.
TANASHAY JONES
Tanashay Jones from Flint Valley District, New Market, Saint Elizabeth who is first cousin of Shanisa Jones, is a student at Hampton School. Tanashay’s current grade is 89.
2021 BENEFICIARIES FROM JAMES RICHARDS EDUCATIONAL TRUST FUND
As one of the Stakeholders with whose acquiescence the balance of USD 79,841.49 (JMD 6,856,029.84) was transferred by HSBC Bank Bermuda Limited, former Trustee James Richards Educational Trust Fund in November 2011 to The Bank Of Nova Scotia Jamaica Limited Chequeing Account No. 3002-82 with the names of Tatlin E Smith-Williams, former Principal Beersheba Primary School and the late Victor Smith, 1st Vice President Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) as legitimate signatories to withdraw funds from the account; Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) is still awaiting response from the administration at Beersheba Primary School regarding information requested from the school to the following questions:
- Names of the two students in the graduating class of 2021 who are successful in 2021 Primary Exit Profile (PEP) Examination and will be selected as qualified beneficiaries of James Richards Educational Trust Fund in keeping with the criteria and desire stipulated by the Trustor.
- The agreed mechanism that will be used in selecting the two students.
- The quantum of financial benefit that will be allotted to each students and the purpose for which the funds will be utilized.
Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) wish to place on record, the Association’s concern that notwithstanding the fact that financial records pertaining to James Richards Educational Trust Fund were handed over to Misses Latoya Davis and Maisie Hamilton, Internal Auditors from the Ministry of Education, Youth and Information by Tatlin E Smith-Williams, former Principal Beersheba Primary School in the presence of Vincent Samuels, Secretary/Treasurer Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) at a meeting that was held in the conference room at the Ministry of Education, Region 5, Mandeville, Manchester on May 5, 2016, the Association has not received a copy of the audited financial statement pertaining to the outcome of the audit that was done.
In the pursuance of probity, transparency and accountability, Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) is not going to discontinue its inquiry into these high profile matters until responses requested have been received.
BOSA INVALUABL, BEERSHEBA PRIMARY SCHOOL ALUMNI, HONORARY MEMBERS, FRIENDS, AND WELL-WISHERS WHO CONTINUE TO GIVE IN THE INTEREST AND WELFARE OF OUR STUDENTS
Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) wishes to place on record and express its sincere gratitude and appreciation to those Beersheba Primary School Alumni – including Winston and Sheila Hamilton, Roy
Holness, Kenneth Smith, Dr. Trevor Hamilton, Dorette Lind,` Winston Hamilton, Neville “Butty” Cooke, Professor Patrick Brown, Merlene Holness-Pryce, Howard Hamilton, Josephine Wade, Roderick Colquhoun et al for their invaluable financial support that they continue to give to the Association.
NEED FOR PRIMARY EXIT PROFILE (PEP) STUDENTS GRADUATING BEERSHEBA PRIMARY SCHOOL IN THE CLASS OF 2019AND BEYOND TO BE COMPUTER LITERATE
It is with great joy and long-awaited accomplishment that Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) announces that Broadband Internet Wi-Fi Service is now available at Beersheba Primary School.
The Association wishes to commend the Administration at the school for its tenacity and innovation in bringing Broadband Internet Wi-Fi Service to the school. The Association hopes that now that Information Technology (IT) is now available at Beersheba Primary School, that the Administration will take appropriate action to ensure that all students that are enrolled at the school will be exposed and trained to use the technology so that no student will graduate from the school as a computer illiterate.
Beersheba Primary School Alumni who would like to contact their alma mater can do so by email to: beersheba.primary.sch@moey.gov.jm
BI-MONTHLY MEETINGS OF BOSA
Due to restrictions pertaining to gathering stipulated in the Disaster Risk Management Act (DRMA) that regulates COVID-19 Pandemic in Jamaica, bi-monthly meeting of BOSA has been suspended indefinitely. BOSA Newsletter has become an invaluable link between Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA), Honorary BOSA Members, friends and well-wishers during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
FUND RAISING ACTIVITIES IN CONNECTION WITH BOSA SUPPORT FUND FOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
Beersheba Primary School Alumni, Friends and Well-wishers are asked to revisit information given on page 3 of 10 and 4 of 10 under this heading in Volume 46 July 2021 of BOSA Newsletter to obtain additional information with respect to how you can assist to financially support students attending high schools. All financial contributions from donors will be promptly acknowledged in writing.
MEET THE ACHIEVERS AND TRAILBLAZERS
In keeping with its desire and admiration to see individuals excel in academia and careers in which thy are involved; Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) with its belief and commitment to zero tolerance for mediocrity, wishes to focus its attention and present to its readers, well-wishers, three of these individuals who stand out as Achievers and Trailblazers:
CITERINA ATKINS
Citerina Atkins who since 2018 has consistently been advancing in diverse crop production in New Hall, Manchester, Jamaica West Indies, was Jamaica’s 2020 Prime Minister Youth Awardee for Agriculture and Jamaica 4-H Club’s Youth Farmer.
On October 8, 2021, Citerina who ditched her office job for farming; emerged as CARICOM Young Farmer of the Year at the Caribbean Week of Agriculture Conference that was held in Guyana, SA. Commenting on the CARICOM recognition that she received gleefully, Citerina said “I am happy to be recognized in this wayby my counterparts in the region. As a member of the National Youth In Agriculture Committee, it is my duty to ensure that youth farmers see themselves as successful business men and women and I am very happy to be at the forefront of this vision.”
Being the visionary that she is, Citerina has committed herself to continue as an Ambassador for Agriculture in Jamaica and other CARICOM countries. Speaking about Citerina’s significant achievement, Dr. Ronald Blake, Executive Director of Jamaica 4-H Clubs said “I am happy for Citerina. This is indeed good news for 4-H Clubs and for Agriculture on a national and regional level.” Continuing his remark Dr. Blake said “Citerina’s significant achievement is also a fillip (something which acts as a stimulus or boost to an activity) for rural women who are involved in agriculture.
DAMIAN WILLIAMS
Damian Williams, Federal Prosecutor, born in the Borough of Brooklyn, NY, USA to Jamaican parents who migrated from Jamaica West Indies in the early 1970’s and excelled in academia, has become the first black man to be appointed as United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York in the 232 year history of the office.
Damian who was nominated by United States President Joe Biden in 2020, won confirmation of the US Senate on Tuesday, October 5, 2021.
After he excelled in academia in high school where he served as President of the Students Council in his senior years, Damian attended Harvard University and the University of Cambridge where he majored in economics and international relations respectively and obtained Masters Degree.
DAMIAN’S CURRICULUM VITAE
- Degrees from Harvard University, the University of Cambridge and Yale Law School.
- Served as Clerk to then Federal Appelate Judge now US Attorney General Merrick Garland as well as to late Supreme Court Justice Paul Stevens.
- Worked in Private Sector at Manhattan Law Firm Paul Weiss before joining the Southern District of New York as a Federal Prosecutor in 2012.
DAMIAN’S OTHER RELATIVES
Damian is the nephew of Orville Williams who was goal keeper for Jamaica College when the school won the Manning Cup in 1963. Damian’s younger brother Andre is a Dentist in USA.
CHARLYNE SMITH
Jamaican born Charlyne Smith has become the first black woman to graduate from the University of Florida, USA with a Ph.D Degree in Nuclear Engineering. Charlyne who was born and raised in Saint Catherine, Jamaica West Indies, has big plans to help develop Jamaica’s energy infrastructure and nuclear engineering education.
CHARLYNE’S CURRICULUM VITAE
- In 2017, Charlyne graduated from Coppin State University, Baltimore, MD, USA with a degree in chemistry and mathematics. While attending Coppin State University, Charlyne studied grits with dark pigments to create dye sensitized solar cells (DSSC’s); in which she hypothesized that these cells would absorb enough ultraviolet radiation (UV) to power large devices.
- At the end of her conversation with Dr. Nickie Peters, Nuclear Scientist at Coppin State University event, Charlyne became convinced that pursuing studies in nuclear engineering could help to bring immediate change to developing countries that needed the expertise.
- Having graduated from the University of Florida with a Ph.D., Degree in nuclear engineering, Charlyne plans to help displace fossil fuel energy sources in Caribbean and replace them with clean energy sources such as nuclear energy.
Editor’s Note: If Beersheba Primary School (Government Leased) Alumni in Jamaica and the Diaspora would like to see themselves being featured under this heading, Alumni who have not yet responded to appeals made in BOSA Newsletters to send the Editor/Producer their curriculum vitae, academic, and communal profile as an attachment to the Association’s e-mail address: beershebaoldstudentsassn.@gmail.com as soon as possible so that they can be published in Volume 39 as well as future Volumes of the Newsletter.
RESOLUTION TO RENAME BEERSHEBA PRIMARY SCHOOL JAMES RICHARDS PRIMARY SCHOOL
Beersheba Primary School Alumni, Friends and Well-wishers are asked to revisit information given on page 4 and 5 of 10 under this heading in Volume 46 July 2021 of BOSA Newsletter to obtain additional information.
STORY BOARD TO BE CREATED ON THE EAMBANKMENT OF THE INTERSECTION OF BEERSHEBA/FLINT VALLEY PAROCHIAL ROAD AND BYE PASS ROAD THROUGH CARR DISTRICT IN MEMORY OF JAMES “DICK” RICHARDS (1872-1965) WHO WAS BORN IN CARR DISTRICT, NEW MARKET, SAINT ELIZABETH
Beersheba Primary School Alumni, Friends and Well-wishers are asked to revisit information given on page 5 of 10 under this heading in Volume 46 July 2021 of BOSA Newsletter to obtain additional information.
MEMBERS OF THE SCHOOL BOARD BEERSHEBA PRIMARY SCHOOL, NEW MARKET, SAINT ELIZABETH, JAMAICA, WEST INDIES
Beersheba Primary School Alumni, Friends and Well-wishers are asked to revisit information given on page 5 of 10 under this heading in Volume 46 July 2021 of BOSA Newsletter to obtain additional information.
Editor’s Note: At the meeting that the School Board at Beersheba Primary School (Government Leased) held with representatives of Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) on Wednesday, September 19, 2018, with “Shana”, a new face introduced by the Chairman of the School Board as the representative of the PTA, the Secretary/Treasurer of the Association informed the Chairman that the name of the new representative of the PTA that he has introduced to the meeting is not on the official list of members published by National Council on Education (NCE)
THE ELESA HAMILTON SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME
Beersheba Primary School Alumni, Friends and Well-wishers are asked to revisit page 6 of 10 under this heading in Volume 46 July 2021 of BOSA Newsletter to obtain additional information/
BOSA SCIENCE AND HEALTH CORNER
No contribution has been received for this volume of BOSA newsletter.
GOLDEN THOUGHTS AND NUGGETS
No contribution has been received for this Volume of BOSA Newsletter.
DISCOVERY OF SLAVE BURIAL GROUND AT PAYNES TOWN, NEW MARKET, SAINT ELIZABETH, JAMAICA WEST INDIES
Beersheba Primary School Alumni, Friends and Well-wishers and our other readers who are interested in this subject matter, are asked to revisit page 7 and 8 of 10 in Volume 46 July 2021 under this heading in BOSA Newsletter to obtain additional information.
Editor’s Note: The foregoing subject matter was thoroughly discussed in a meeting that was held in the office of the Chief Executive Officer, Saint Elizabeth Municipal Corporation on January 15, 2018. The meeting which was provided over by His Worship the Mayor of Black River and Chairman Saint Elizabeth Municipal Corporation Councillor Derrick Sangster, was attended by Mr. Errol Lebert, Chief Executive Officer, Saint Elizabeth Municipal Corporation, representatives of Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA), New Market CDC, and Mrs. Elvie Miller and her daughter Madge Mullings; Owner of the property on which the Slave Burial Ground is located; acquiesced and decided that the Saint Elizabeth Municipal Corporation will pursue the matter with the History and Archaeology Department of the University of the West Indies, Mona Campus, Kingston, Jamaica West Indies so as to get the Department and Jamaica National Heritage Trust Foundation to honour the commitment that was given to the association that they would visit, take over, secure and preserve the site.
BOSA DEVOTIONAL
BIBLICAL DEFINITION OF THE WORD AMEN
Contrary to utterances that congregants hear from many charismatic preachers who deliver sermons in local churches time and time again “can I hear Amen from somebody” and “can the church say Amen”, the word Amen which is transliterated from the Hebrew word aw-mane, denotes things that are firm, true, trustworthy and faithful.
The gospel of John is the only book in the New Testament where the phrase “Verily, Verily” (KJV); “Very truly” (NIV) [double Amen] which comes from the lips of Jesus, the One with the title “the Amen” (Revelation 3:14) appears twenty-five times.
The desire of congregants seated in pews in local churches should never be to accede to persuasive utterances from charismatic preaching in vaguely saying the word Amen to what they they hear but to focus on Jesus, the Christ who is the Amen, the Alpha and Omega, the One who is indeed trustworthy, credible and reliable and is able to satisfy the longings of their hearts and provide them with life in all its fulness.
COVID-19 PANDEMIC AND IT’S VARIANTS HAVE CHANGED THE WAY PEOPLE LIVE AND INTERACT WITH EACH OTHER
In order to enable the government of Jamaica to fulfill its desire for herd immunity in the Jamaican Population, ALL JAMAICANS are urged to make appointments on the Ministry of Health and Wellness online platform and call centres to get themselves vaccinated at Vaccination Blitz which are being held island wide at venues advertised by the Ministry in the electronic and printed media and by town Criers.
World Health Organization (WHO) and Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), has announced that COVID-19 Delta Variant which was discovered in India, has now spread to ninety-two (92) countries.
Everyone is urged to obtain updates directly from the Ministry of Health and Wellness or news releases the Ministry or Jamaica Information Service (JIS) will make through the electronic and printed media with respect to Vaccination Sites, days and times when vaccines will be administered.
WORLD IN HIGH ALERT OVER NEW COVID-19 OMICRON VARIANT B.1.1.529
New COVID-19Variant Omicron B.1.1.529 which has been discovered in South Africa is said by health experts from World Health Organization (WHO) to be more transmissible than other previous variants. Cases of this new variant have now been discovered in thirty-eight (38) countries up to December 5, 2021 when this newsletter is being typed to be published.
As a precautionary measure, the government of Jamaica has imposed travel restriction on travelers from several countries in South Africa as other countries in the global community have done.
ADVERSE EFFECT OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON PRIMARY, HIGH SCHOOL AND TERTIARARY EDUCATION
Not only has COVID-19 Pandemic delayed the reopening of Primary, High Schools and Tertiary Institutions from September 3, 2020 that was pushed back to October 5, 2020, but notwithstanding effort by the Ministry of Education to use seventeen (17) pilot schools to resume face to face teaching, up to the time that this newsletter is being written, the Ministry is still struggling to resume this method of teaching.
With online use of the Ministry of Education Digital Platform to teach students at home, parents and guardians – many of whom are computer illiterates – are finding it extremely challenging and difficult to help children in their homes do their school assignments.
DIGITAL BANKING IS HERE TO STAY
Announcement made by The Bank of Nova Scotia Jamaica Limited to close its flagship branch at 6 High Street, Black River, Saint Elizabeth and its Christiana Branch in Manchester in February 2021, in addition to converting six (6) of its other Branches to Digital Non Personal Banking, is proof that Scotia Bank in re-engineering its operation to reduce and eliminate fixed costs (rent, salaries, health insurance benefits and utility bills); has joined other financial conglomerates in making transition from inhouse to online digital banking that ultimately is going to result in a cashless society that has advantages and disadvantages.
Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) is urging elderly customers of Banks to come to full realization that their “banger phones” have become obsolete and must be immediately replaced with a Smart Phone with at least 16 GB Internal Memory that is capable to download and install Mobile Banking Apps that will enable them to do their banking transactions from their homes. Young people including those in academia who are computer literate, are urged to help the elderly who must not be scammed or abused in the process.
CHANGING CONSUMER BEHAVIOUR AND BUSINESS DECISION TAKEN BY JAMAICA PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY LIMITED (JPSCO) TO CLOSE SEVEN OF IT’S OFFICES
In a news article captioned: JPS addresses concerns about impending closure of branches that appeared in Jamaica Gleaner on Thursday, February 4, 2021, Senior Vice Resident Customer Service at JPS, Ramsay McDonald, is quoted as saying “While we fully appreciate the concerns of the residents, our decision to close the office – speaking in reference to the closure of the Portmore Office which is among seven (7) offices that will be closed effective March 8, 2021 – was made after careful consideration and observation of the changing behaviour of our customers. Over the past four years, customers have increased their use of online platforms to do regular transactions.”
Since less face-to-face transactions with JPSCO is going to be the norm going forward, consumers are urged to utilize several options that are available to them. One option is downloading and installing JPS App from Google or Apple Play Store on Smart Phones through which electricity bills can be paid.
CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR GREETINGS
Although a global pandemic was not in existence when Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote the lyrics of his poem “I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day” which was set to music and has become one of the favourite carols that are sung at Christmas Time; Longfellow’s personal tragic loss of his beloved wife, strengthened his faith in God when he wrote “God is not dead nor does He sleep.”
Like Longfellow, there are several Beersheba Elementary/Beersheba Primary School Alumni in Jamaica and the Diaspora who are mourning and grieving the loss of love ones who have passed away during this Christmas Season.
Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) wishes to comfort you all in your sorrow and to assure you that Jesus, Emmanuel. God with us who is the Christ of Christmas and the reason for the season; is acquainted with your grief and pain and He will minister to each individual sorrowful family member as you grieve and mourn your loss.
“A heart that is focused on others will not be consumed with self”
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