To mark the 55th anniversary of Ona Glinton Primary School, Carnival Cruise Line and the Grand Turk Cruise Center have donated hundreds of books to the school's library.
The donation aims to support learning, with particular attention to pupils with disabilities and special educational needs. In addition to hundreds of books, the contribution included 10 new desktop computers and more than $12,000 worth of specialist equipment, educational materials and sensory mats.
Located on Grand Turk in the Turks and Caicos Islands, the school has educated generations of local residents, many of whom have gone on to hold leadership positions both in their home country and abroad. With an established special educational needs programme, teachers now have additional resources to provide tailored instruction and create an even more inclusive learning environment.
Pupils are also offered additional lessons to help them deepen their knowledge and achieve better results. Furthermore, every student at the school receives an email account that provides access to Microsoft 365, an easy-to-use platform through which personalised learning programmes can also be developed. These are designed to accommodate individual learning paces and provide targeted support for students who face greater challenges.
To ensure that the most suitable resources were selected, Deputy Headteacher Jacqueline Henry worked closely with Carnival Cruise Line representatives to align the donation with the school's priorities. She emphasised how welcome this support was, explaining that the resources would help improve learning outcomes and encourage greater independence. She also stressed that having the right tools and support is essential for success.
Philcher Grant, Director of Public and Community Affairs at Carnival Corporation, reaffirmed that investing in young people means investing in the future of our communities. The company was therefore honoured to support Ona Glinton Primary School by providing essential learning resources, particularly for students with special educational needs.
The donation held an even deeper personal significance for Dawn Smith, a port agent at Carnival's Grand Turk Cruise Center. Her nephew attends Ona Glinton Primary School and is enrolled in its programme for students with special educational needs. For this reason, Dawn Smith became an advocate for the school's needs and priorities. Having witnessed first-hand the challenges faced by students and teachers due to limited resources, she stepped in to recognise the teachers' dedication and the progress made by their pupils.
Dawn Smith was deeply moved to see the initiative become a reality and said she was proud to work for a company that firmly believes in the importance of giving back to the community and investing in those who need it most.
The donation from Carnival Cruise Line and the Grand Turk Cruise Center represents a significant investment in education and inclusion, providing Ona Glinton Primary School students with practical resources to support their learning and give them greater opportunities and independence. It also highlights the importance of the relationship between the cruise industry and local communities, through initiatives capable of delivering lasting benefits.
Lucia Angeli