“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., St Elizabeth, Jamaica, West Indies
E-mail: beershebaoldstudentsassn@gmail.com
Officers:
Glenis Daley, President
Vincent Samuels, ASC, BBA, Secretary-Treasurer, Newsletter Editor
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 NASHEENA DOBBS, NASHANA DOBBS, DURVANE BROWN SAMEIKA MAITLAND, DEVONNETTE SMITH AND TANASHAY JONES, BRIANNA DOBBS, AYANNA KELLY AND TIANA SPENCE
NASHEENA DOBBS
Attempts to obtain school report for Christmas Term 2022 has been to no avail .
NASHANA DOBBS
Attempts to obtain school report for Christmas Term 2022 has been to no avail.
DURVANNE BROWN
Attempts to obtain school report for Christmas Term 2022 has been to no avail.
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 2021.
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 an avid reader from Beersheba, New Market, Saint Elizabeth, granddaughter of the late Victor Smith, 1st Vice President Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA), has moved on to grade 9 at Saint Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS) in 2022/2023 school year, Devonnette is expected to continue her academic excellence in the new school year.
TANASHAY JONES
Tanashay Jones from Flint Valley District, New Market, Saint Elizabeth who is first cousin of Shanisa Jones, BA (UTECH), has moved on to Form 4 at Hampton School in 2022/2023 school year. Tanashay is expected to continue her academic excellence of 86% which is reflected in her school report for Christmas Term 2021.
BRIANNA DOBBS
Brianna Dobbs who is from Long Ground, New Market, Saint Elizabeth, is a grade 7 student at Saint Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS). Attempts to obtain Brianna’s school report for Christmas Term 2021 has been to no avail. Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) wish Briana all the best as she moves on to grade 8 in 2022/2023 school year which began on September 5, 2022.
AYANNA KELLY
Ayanna Kelly who is from Long Ground, New Market, Saint Elizabeth, was affected by ill health during 2021/2022 school year as a student at Saint Elizabeth Technical High School (STETHS) where she ended Christmas Term 2021 with 66.9% average. Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) wish Ayanna best of health and improved academic performance as she moves on to grade 8 in 2022/2023 school year.
TIANA SPENCE
Tiana Spence, a native of Ruinit District, New Market, Saint Elizabeth who is a student at Lacovia High School earned 44.1% average in her school report for Christmas Term 2021. Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) wish Tiana all the best and hope she will settle down and perform better in her school work as she moves on to grade 8 in 2022/2023 school year.
KENUDEEN JONES
Kenudeen Jones, native of Carr District, New Market, Saint Elizabeth, first cousin to Shanisa Jones, BA (UTECH), with her roots through the lineage of her father Kenneth Jones son of the late Beresford Jones (Guptie) from Flint Valley, New Market, Saint Elizabeth; has performed satisfactorily as a grade 7 student at Bishop Gibson High School For Girls, Mandeville, Manchester; despite here mother Judeen being smitten by a severe stroke.
Kenudeen’s school report for Christmas Term 2021 has revealed that she was awarded 68.5% class average. Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) wish Kenudeen’s mother improved health and also wish for Kenudeen continued satisfactory academic performance as she moves on to grade 8 in 2022/2023 school year.
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 INVALUABLE, 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.
PLACEMENT OF STUDENTS FROM BEERSHEBA PRIMARY SCHOOL IN HIGH SCHOOLS BY MINISTRY OF EDUCATION BASED ON RESULTS OF 2022 PRIMARY EXIT PROFILE (PEP) EXAMINATION
It is indeed a very sad commentary that whereas Beersheba Elementary/Primary School Alumni and our other readers in Jamaica and the Diaspora have always looked forward to the publication of detail information in BOSA Newsletter about students from Beersheba Primary School who have been successful in Primary Exit Profile (PEP) Examination and have been placed in high schools of their choice by Ministry of Education, the Association is unable to publish this information for 2022/2023 school year.
In keeping with established protocols which Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) has consistently adhered to and observed over the years; the Association wrote to Mrs. Michelle Sanderson, Principal Beersheba Primary School requesting the (a) names the names of students (b) high schools in which they have been placed (c) names of their parents and their contact numbers. Information requested from the Principal has always enabled the Association to provide high school students from impoverished peasant farming Beersheba Primary School Community two(2) sets of school uniforms including school shoes, note books, pens, pencils and other miscellaneous school supplies.
Howbeit, up to Monday, September 5, 2022 when 2022/2023 school year began; Beersheba Old Students Association (BOSA) has neither received any verbal or written acknowledgement or response from Mrs. Michelle Sanderson, Principal Beersheba Primary School to its written request. Consequently, the association has not been able to reach out to these high school students as it has done to other high school students from Beersheba Primary School back as 2009.
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
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.
BOSA is pleased to inform all Beersheba Primary School Alumni in Jamaica and the Diaspora and our other invaluable readers and well-wishers, that HomeTime Cable, Inc., Black River, Saint Elizabeth, Jamaica, with its innovation and tenacity to provide Cable TV and Broad Band Internet Service to residents at Carr, Happy Hall, Beersheba/Flint Valley, New Market, Saint Elizabeth, Jamaica West Indies; has indicated the Company’s interest to pursue the erection of a Story Board which has been outstanding on the agenda of Saint Elizabeth Municipal Corporation since James “Dick” Richards (1872-1965), was honoured posthumously at a function that was held at Luan Club, Black River, Saint Elizabeth, Jamaica.
James “Dick” Richards, Soldier, Self-made Businessman, Real Estate Tychoon Bermuda, Philanthropist and Icon certainly deserves the honour of a Story Board that will be erected on the embankment at the intersection of Beersheba/Flint Valley Parochial Road and Bye Pass Road leading to Carr District his place of birth.
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
“A small amount offered generously, is always more than enough when placed in God’s hands.”
“When we focus on what we don’t have , we risk missing out on watching God do great things with what we do have.”
Xochiti Dixon, contributor to Our Daily Bread captioned God’s Provision, Monday, June 27, 2022.
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ANSWERS TO BRAIN TEASERS PUBLISHED IN VOLUME 50 JULY 2022 BOSA NEWSLETTER
- Toothbrush
- Tee Shirt
- Back to back
- Steering wheel
- 888+88+8+8+8=1,000.
- Nose
- Casket
- Trouble
- Road
- Phone
- Six feet
- Thunder
MORE BRAIN TEASERS
- What is it that gets warmer the more it gets cool?
- If you play with it at night it can vibrate. What is it?
- I have no wings but I can fly. I have no teeth bit I can bite. What am I?
- I wave to you but you didn’t say hello. What am I?
- Why is it a woman knows where her husband is all the time, anytime, every time?
- What can get you wet and keep you dry at the same time?
- My foot is very big! I wear every size, any size, all sizes. What am I?
- Two pregnant women were walking on the road close to each other but they could not touch each other although they were close to each other. What am I?
- I two are twins; three are triplets; what is four and five?
- If your uncle sister is not your aunt, then who is she to you?
- What is white, has a minty taste but it is better to spit it out than swallow it?
- What is it that has hands but cannot wear gloves; has a face but it cannot look or discern?
Editor’s Note: Answers to the foregoing quizzes will appear under heading ANSWERS TO BRAIN TEASERS in Volume 52 January 2023 of BOSA Quarterly 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.
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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
THE BEND IN THE ROAD
Sometimes we come to life’s crossroads
And we view what we think is the end.
But God has a much wider vision
And He knows that it’s only a bend.
The road will go on and ger smoother
And after we’ve stopped for a rest;
The path that lies hidden beyond us
Is after the past that is best.
So, rest and relax and grow stronger,
Let go and let God share your load.
Have faith in a brighter tomorrow
You’ve just come to the bend in the road.
Helen Steiner Rice (1900-1981) American Writer of inspirational and Christian Poetry
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 centers 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.4 AND B.5
New COVID-19Variant B.4 and B.5 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 publish
ADVERSE EFFECT OF COVID-19 PANDEMIC ON PRIMARY, HIGH SCHOOL AND TERTIARARY EDUCATION
WHO and PAHO has acquiesced that COVID-19 is something that we have to learn to live with. Consequently, Ministry of Health and Wellness and Ministry of Education Jamaica, have decided that with established protocols in place; face to face teaching will begin when students return to schools in the first week of September 2022 to commence 2022/2023 school year.
WORLD ON HIGH ALERT OVER MONKEYPOX OUTBREAK
Monkeypox is a viral disease that occurs mostly in central and western Africa. It is called monkeypox because it was first identified in laboratory monkeys.
An ongoing outbreak of monkeypox was confirmed in May 2022 beginning with a cluster of cases found in the United Kingdom. The first recognized case was confirmed on May 6, 2022 in an individual with travel links to Nigeria but it has been suggested that cases were already spreading in Europe the previous month. Cases of monkeypox disease has since turned up in Canada, USA and the Caribbean.
Monkeypox is a rare disease caused by infection with the monkeypox virus. Monkeypox virus is part of the same family of viruses as smallpox. Monkeypox symptoms are similar to smallpox symptoms, but milder; and monkeypox is rarely fatal. Monkeypox is not related to chickenpox.
SYMPTOMS OF MONKEYPOX
- Fever
- Headache
- Muscle aches and backaches
- Swollen lymph nodes
- Chills
- Exhaustion
- A rash that can look like pimples or blisters that appears on the face, inside the mouth and on other parts of the body, like the hands, feet, chest, genitals or anus. The rash goes through different stages before healing completely. The process can take several weeks.
Editor’s Note: t the time when this newsletter is being prepared for publication, Ministry of Health and Wellness, Jamaica; has announced that there are now nine (9) cases of monkeypox in the island.
DGITAL 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.
“A heart that is focused on others will not be consumed with self”
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