Thursday, February 12 – The Territory’s top three students in classes one to five of all public primary schools will enjoy a day at sea as they sail Peter Island’s coastline and other islands while enroute to Jost Van Dyke on Friday, February 13 during mid-term break.

A total of 340 students have been invited on the tour which is sponsored by the Ministry and Department of Education and Culture under the auspices of the Minister for Education Honourable Andrew Fahie. The students were the top performers during the Advent term of the school year 2008/2009.

Honourable Fahie told the Department of Information and Public Relations that the aim of this initiative, which began in February last year, is to reward academic performance, boost students’ morale and highlight the positive things that are happening with the students in education. 

“It is the aim of the Ministry and Department of Education to reward excellence in our students who are our new generation of ambassadors and leaders,” the Minister said.

Honourable Fahie also congratulated the students for their achievements. “Congratulations to all the students for their outstanding achievement and I hope you will continue to be self-surpassing, striving to outdo your own best and be role models for your peers.”

During the tour, the two catamaran ferries will sail by White Bay and Little Bay to allow students to view the topography, ruins and hopefully see the Turtle Crawl Pen outline, and observe the flora and fauna of the island. 

The Jost Van Dyke Preservation Society will make a presentation to the students on the flora and fauna of the island as well as a sloop that is being built. 

The students will be accompanied by teachers, parents and two tour guides.  The boats will leave the CSY Dock in Baugher’s Bay at 8:30 a.m.

Last year a total of 512 students were rewarded for their excellent performance during the Advent and Lent terms of the school year 2007/2008. 

The top students for the Advent and Lent terms were rewarded with a geography tour of the islands around the Territory and a full tour of Virgin Gorda, respectively.    In addition, special recognition was given to the students who maintained the top three positions for both terms.

The Ministry of Education and Culture aims to provide high quality education and rehabilitative services, as well as, to facilitate access to and participation in sports, recreation and culture, in order to enrich the lives of all residents of the Virgin Islands