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New staffing structure for education; MV Pharos IX to patrol South Georgia waters; Morrison workers return from Ascension.

New staffing structure for education

A NEW staffing structure for the Infant and Junior School and Falkland Islands Community School will bring together under one management structure the separately managed units which exist at present.

Director of Education Barbara Booth put the proposal, which has the support of Legislative Councillors, to the Education Department staff at a meeting last night. She explained that with the new structure, opportunities will be created for a greater sharing of expertise, particularly in specialist areas, so that the needs of all children who show talent and aptitude in particular areas can be fostered and developed. Currently, such provision is available in music and physical education only.

Mrs. Booth described teaching as a difficult job, adding that it is important that staff remain motivated. She said that one way to achieve this is to have a clear career structure, "so that those with ambitions have an opportunity to develop relevant skills and then seek promotion to posts with greater responsibility. "At present there is no career structure for staff in Falkland Islands schools," said Mrs. Booth.

The new staff structure would combine primary and Camp education under the one Headteacher, community education and training, under another, secondary education under another and all, along with the Leisure Centre Manager, would be answerable to an Executive Headteacher/Assistant Director.

The Executive Headteacher will work directly below the Director of Education who stresses that with this system should anyone leave their post, whether permanently or for a short period, there is someone who can step in and continue their work without causing disruption. Mrs. Booth said the proposals do not reduce the number of teaching posts available, but they do, "...configure the responsibilities in a different way." The only extra post to be created is that of an Education Welfare Officer who will be attached to the Special Educational Needs unit which will allow for more effective home/school liaison and support.

"The Headteacher for Community Education and Training post will bring greater cohesion and cooperation between the Leisure Centre and the provision of after school activities and evening classes, the holiday programmes and potential developments associated with youth work," explained Mrs. Booth.

She said that also associated with this role will be the development of a planned programme of teacher exchanges with schools either in the UK or elsewhere. "With this in place it will be possible for Falklands' students who train to be teachers to return to the Islands after they have completed their course and gain a broad range experience while working, rather than having to gain experience before they can return."

The bringing together of Camp Education and the Infant Junior School is as a result of current circumstances, Mrs. Booth explained.

"The numbers in Camp at the moment are very small and it is difficult to justify a completely separate unit." In conjunction with the primary and secondary schools the provision for Camp children will be enhanced in a number of ways with specialist visits, said Mrs. Booth, adding that, if the numbers of children in Camp again warrant a separate function then the disaggregating of this amalgamation can be readily achieved.

Recruitment and appointment to the new posts will, in the first instance, be "ring fenced" to existing staff. Starting at Headteacher level, existing headteachers will be invited to apply for the Executive Headteacher post or any of the new Headteacher posts.

Mrs. Booth said that should any of these roles remain unfilled after this process then local and international advertisements will be placed immediately to secure suitable candidates.

MV Pharos IX to patrol South Georgia waters

FISHERY patrol vessel Sigma is soon to be replaced by a more modern vessel.

The Government of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (GSGSSI) have announced that MV Pharos IX will take over Sigma's duties under a long term charter agreement with the GSGSSI.

The Pharos IX, purchased by Byron Marine from the Northern Lighthouses in Scotland, has a greatly increased logistical capability, including the ability to carry shipping containers. She has a fully operational heli-deck, is extremely maneuverable and will therefore be able to complement her prime role of fisheries patrol vessel with other important tasks for the government.

MV Sigma remains the property of Byron Marine Ltd but will no longer be on charter to the Government of South Georgia.

Morrison workers return from Ascension

THE sudden return from Ascension Island of a group of Morrison (Falklands) workers employed on a project with the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) has caused speculation as to whether the company still has its contract.

Morrison Regional Manager, Chris Luker said that as with all projects, performance is subject to regular management review.

He said a combination of, "site production rates and a number of social issues were causing concern" and in the interests of both the BBC and Morrison the decision was taken to change the site team.

Mr Luker said that accordingly the original workforce has now returned to the Falkland Islands or the United Kingdom as appropriate and a new workforce has travelled to site. The Falklands' element of the workforce has been re-deployed to other projects in Stanley. He added, "We are confident that the project on Ascension will now be completed in accordance with the client's requirements."

The contract is for works at the BBC's oil tank farm at English Bay. The oil tank farm stores diesel fuel for the BBC's power station that supplies electricity and water to the transmission station, Georgetown, Two Boats village and the RAF base.

The fuel tanks had been suffering badly from corrosion and were also un-bonded so that any leak of oil would be uncontained, with potentially serious environmental consequences in the case of a large leak.

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