MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Falkland Islands: Weekly Penguin News update

Neil Watson, Pat Whitney and Chris Hawksworth

Headlines:
Brave Islanders receive awards; Lack of classroom space causes concern for Education Board; November Pilgrimage.

Brave Islanders receive awardsTHE Royal Humane Society (RHS) have awarded farmers Neil Watson (64) and Pat Whitney (61) Parchment Awards, and Town Taxis Chris Hawksworth (31) a Vellum Award for an act of "real courage" last year. These awards come just below the RHS' two medals and above their certificates of commendation and follow a recommendation by former Falklands' Governor, David Tatham. On the morning of February 10, 2006, a tourist liner was to land a group by zodiac inflatable boat on the beach at Uranie Bay, East Falklands. This was despite the fact that Neil had passed on information to the ship that he considered the sea conditions unsuitable. The inflatable with 10 tourists on board was some 20 meters from the shore when it rode the crest of a large curling wave some three to four meters high, turned side on and capsized. Some of the persons on board were thrown out into the near freezing water; others were trapped under the upturned boat. At this point Chris, Neil and Pat, who had been waiting on shore to receive the group, immediately waded into the sea to rescue those visible in the water and get them to shore. Chris turned his attention to those under the inflatable, and by repeatedly diving under the boat he managed to bring them to the surface. After 20 minutes spent in the freezing water, all of the tourists were rescued and brought to shore. After warm drinks and dry clothes were dished out at Long Island farm house, all were returned safely to Stanley overland and then to their ship. With a fear of water, this was no easy feat for Pat who said that at one stage he was completely breathless with panic and had to let the waves wash him and the lady he was helping, up the beach. "I'm honoured to receive the award," he said, adding that he had never considered there would be any such thing. Neil said he too was very pleased to be given such a prestigious award. "We only did what anyone would do in the situation," he said, adding that he was relieved at the time that everyone was recovered safely. "When it happened I thought we were going to be dragging bodies out." Both the older men, who have survived a few scrapes together in the past, most notably when assisting British Forces in 1982, were full of praise for Chris who had dived under the zodiac several times. "You don't think about the danger at the time," said Chris, "...you just do what has to be done, it is only afterwards you consider the fact that people might have died." A presentation at Government House is planned for September when the awards will be officially presented to the rescuers. Lack of classroom space causes concern for Education BoardPRESSURE concerning pupil numbers in the Infant and Junior School (IJS) is increasing with classroom space becoming less than satisfactory. IJS head teacher Nick Barrett put a paper before the Education Board on Tuesday, in which he assured that the school was fully staffed for the next academic year, but stressed that there was considerable pressure being put on the system because of the increase in pupil numbers. Classes in the primary sector are expected to be kept at 30 or below, when they are then split into two parallel classes. Pre-school, Year 3 and Year 6 are already in this situation with all except one other class nearing the need to be split into two classes. "There are not enough class rooms," said Mr Barrett. Pre-school classes are particularly crowded and the idea of a cut off point for registration was discussed. Pre-school is not compulsory, however Director of Education, Barbara Booth along with the Board is of the opinion that the foundations of learning laid down in those years are very important; Board member Natalie Smith added that a reduced, good service is better than none at all. The Education Department is working in conjunction with Stanley's nurseries on this issue. With three extensions in the last 20 years the school is once again not big enough for the 243 students currently on the roll which is projected to increase in 2009. Worryingly, these estimations do not include contract workers' children or any new families from immigration. The number of children requiring special educational needs (SEN) also puts pressure on the classroom situation. Thirty-eight children are in the IJS at the moment who need varying levels of special needs education and care. Mr Barrett paid tribute to the Assistant Special Needs teachers (ASNs) who he said are very hard working and useful to the school, however he said there is a need for an additional SEN teacher. Mr Barrett said the play area which has been, ".....eaten into with extensions," is also inadequate for the amount of pupils who now have split break times. A paper is to go to Executive Council outlining issues such as SEN rooms, additional class rooms and the play area. Cllr Stevens added that figures were also required so Councillors can, "...sit down and decide what we can afford and what needs to be done." November PilgrimageDates for the SAMA82 pilgrimage have been confirmed as, arriving on November 6, 2007 and departing on the morning of the 13th.