INDEPENDENT NEWSLETTER
S TATIA N EWS V OLUME 1,
ISSUE
4 A PRIL 6, 2009
H ISTORICAL F OUNDATION 35 TH
In this edition:
ANNIVERSARY The Dutch schoolinspection, page 3 Talking with Walter Hellebrand, page 4,5,6 A brief history of Statia, page 7 Historical Foundation Board Celebration, page 8,9 Steba’s annual general members meeting, page 10,11 Education on Saba, page 12 A teachers Union, page 12 The conference on education, page 12, 13 Recruitment for the Police, page 14
The Aloe dancers performing at the 35th Celebration of the Historical Foundation, see page 8
Sda school mini olympics, page 15 Tackle Diabetes now, page 16
E DITORIAL Lot of things happening on Statia, much more than this little newsletter can cover. This Saturday for exam‐ ple, 8.00 o’clock in the morning, there was a meat market at the butc‐ hers’ stall near the fire department, there by
that garden, where the animal doctor is. The Government used to sell vegetables by that gar‐ den. Last week and maybe the week before lot of people came from Holland, civil servants that are going to work for the taxdepart‐
ment of Holland for exam‐ pole. They will work in the Regional Service Centre on Mazinga square, for the time being, they will move to their own office later on. Three or four people, I tal‐ ked to one lady, who will live here with her husband. She said they have a nice team. See page 2
Youth Splash , page 17 A Perfect Place, page 18 Eastern Madness and 3 Cylinder, page 19, 20 European elections, page 21
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She seemed very cheerful A lot of things can be read and enthousiastic about in the Daily Herald about coming to live here. the dismantling of the Antilles, the referendum The inspection for educa‐ on Curacao and the poli‐ tion was here too and you tics in Sint Maarten. see a lot of Dutch people in office clothes walking When you subscribe to the free “Antillenhuisinfo” around the streets. per email, you can find a This makes our communi‐ lot of documents and ty curious. What is going news from other newspa‐ to happen, what are the pers. plans? I think all these messages Statia’s local radio 95.1 people get are confusing. FM has a large audience. Antillean Ministers for People listen to it on their example suddenly are job, in their house, in the very active. Mrs. Omyra shops and bars, in the car. Leeflang was going on about having Dutch En‐ Apparently The radio used to be more glish Spanish and Papia‐ lively. There were more mento obligatory… Why call‐in programs. One of does she say that? Her responsibility is almost these was in the night during the week. It was over! hosted by Erven Cuvalay. The Sunday afternoon call In this stage, in the middle ‐in program with Carty of a transition period, was very popular. with two central govern‐ ments busying themselves Statia’s local television with our little island, it is understandable that it is has two channels, the very difficult to shed so‐ channel of the Govern‐ ment Information Service me light over decision and CTC tv, the indepen‐ making and future decisi‐ dent local channel. Both on making. channels cover public Take the taxes for exam‐ meetings and visits of delegations. These pro‐ ple: grams are repeated all the The agreement about the time. CTC tv has U‐talk, changes in the taxlaws is the call‐in program with signed. This is the Franklin Brown, Tal‐ agreement with Holland. kin’Blues, the call‐in pro‐ But we are not a part of gram with Joshua Spanner Holland yet. We still have to act according to the and Mr. Schmidt. Antillean taxlaws. And Holland will help with
this. So Holland is already busy although the law didn´t start yet. The Dutch are training the different departments to be more effective. They teach people to be better in their jobs. That´s what they also do for the schools. Education has to meet the basic require‐ ments like proper class‐ rooms with computers with internet. Not too much noise, enough mate‐ rials and books. Teachers and staff have to professi‐ onalize. I hope this Statianews will give some more clarity about education. There is lots of more news and pictures to be seen in this edition. Enjoy reading it, Annemieke Kusters
In this newsletter an interview with Walter Hellebrand, his father was a teacher at the Gov. De Graaffschool and later even became head of that school. Walter Hellebrand was born here and spent the first seven years of his life here. He has one brother in Sint Maarten, a sister in Holland and a brother from a Statia mother in Holland. He designed the coat of arms that was chosen to be Statia´s official coat of arms. I heard the late Mr. Lampe also has made a coat of arms. Maybe Statianews could get a copy to put it in the paper. I failed to ask Mr. Hellebrand what the subscription SUPERBA ET CONFIDENS means. Condifens that would be confident. But superba? Superb as in outstanding? If you know it, please mail Statianews. I will ask Mr. Hellebrand too.
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T HE D UTCH S CHOOLINSPECTION Saturday April 4 Statianews had a short discussion with two members of the Dutch schoolinspection. Mr. Frans Janssen is a professor of School In‐ spection and Public Ac‐ countability, he leads the Dutch inspection team. Under his supervision, the education report was made. Statianews had a conversation with him and with the man that will be “kwartiermaker” on Bonaire. Forgive Stati‐ anews for forgetting his name, his first name was Jos. A skinny man with a beard and small glasses.
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They also made a “Plan van Aanpak”, in a future edition, we must have a summary of that plan in Statianews, it is an advice, a recommendation on how to improve educa‐ tion. More inspection They also said that actu‐ ally at this moment, they In the future the Dutch have no authority to make inspection of Education decisions and they do not will visit the Bes islands have an opinion about very often. They might how things work. also come for longer peri‐ Decisions about changes in policy, including the language of instruction, will be made after 2011. Their work is work in pro‐ gress and so is the work of the teachers. The money to improve education will Some clarity be used to test the chil‐ dren, to professionalize When asked if they teachers, managements signed anything, they Prof. Dr F. J. G. Janssens, and boards and to do said they didn’t. They when he worked in Hol‐ something about the only agreed that they are land at the Twente Uni‐ buildings. going to be responsible versity. for the books that are Noise ordered and that they ods, maybe open an of‐ have the authority to fice. Mr. Janssens said that the take books off the list. Lumpsum noise in the Gwendoline van Puttenschool is unac‐ After 2011 the Dutch ceptable. Something has Minister of education will The money Holland will give the Bes islands for to be done about the be the final one that is responsible for education education after 2011, will acoustic in the class‐ be given in the form of a rooms. on the Bes islands. lumpsum to the boards of Some of the things that the different schools. To Solidarity professionalize the are agreed upon are: schoolboards a lot of ef‐ The future kwartiermaker fort will be made. The Dutch required for hopes more solidarity will children that leave the come. Because the par‐ Work in Progress secondary school is ents are not organized Dutch NT2, or Staatsex‐ and the teachers are not amen B1 and B2. With that we comply with in‐ ternational laws. It used to be Dutch as a near na‐ tive language and it will be Dutch as a second lan‐ guage.
organized, they are no partner. They are interested to share information with the public. Besides these two gentle‐ men and one lady whose name we missed too, there were more members of the Dutch inspection on the island. They had talks with all the directors of the schools, except for two primary schools. They visited Mr. Laurens Duiveman to talk about his farming project. They vis‐ ited the Buzzy Bee, Zagen en Schaven, to get to know the people.
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Friday March 28 In every day speech we refer to Fort Oranje, the Simon Doncker house or the Dutch reformed church as monuments. However, legally they are not monuments. That means that they are not protected. At this mo‐ ment, people could ‐ if they wanted ‐ build an enormous concrete ga‐ rage onto an 18th century house. Since last year, St. Eusta‐ tius has a monuments ordinance in place. So now, our valuable his‐ toric objects can become legally protected monu‐ ments. On Friday March 28th, Mr. Hellebrand together with the St. Eustatius Monuments Foundation presented a list of over 90 objects that can be registered as monu‐
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W ALTER H ELLEBRAND ries and a gallery running ments. To make this list, preserved 18th century along the upper floor. It is Hellebrand started with house in colonial Carib‐ one of only three remain‐ the inventories that were bean style with two sto‐ made in the past. The list that Saskia de Kock made in 1995 was of great use. That list had been actual‐ ized over the years by Gay Soetekouw together with the late Mr. Lampe and his niece, Ms. June Boul‐ ton. The inventory that was made for the Historic Core project also provided a useful base. The list that Mr. Hellebrand made in‐ cludes a description and a justification of every ob‐ ject. He used the three criteria that a historic ob‐ ject has to meet to be‐ come a monument. They are: ‐ The architectural signifi‐ cance. There are some impressive historic build‐ Mr. Hellebrand was very happy with the coat ings in Statia. An example of arms presented to him by Gov. Mr. Hyden is the house where Mr. Gittens. It is Hellebrands’design. Lampe lived. It is a well
Architectural significance: The late Mr. Lampe’s house.
ing 18th century two‐storey houses built entirely of bricks and stone in Upper Town. ‐ The cultural and historic significance. Sometimes it is the history of sites or buildings that makes them worth preserving. For ex‐ ample, Deep Yard has played a special role in Statia’s history because it was here that Marcus Garvey preached when he was on Statia. The build‐ ings are now ruins but be‐ cause of their historic sig‐
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nificance worthy of monumental status. ‐ Townscaping. In historic Oranjestad, there are many houses that per‐
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W ALTER H ELLEBRAND haps individually do not stand out and are not unique or rare. However, because of their position amongst other historic buildings, they provide
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an essential contribution to maintaining the aes‐ thetic and historic aspects of the “whole picture.” These little houses can
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therefore also be pro‐ posed as monuments. We now have a list of more than 90 sites that are “nominated” to be monu‐ ments. They are not all
On this map of Oranjestad you can see where the 90 proposed monu‐ ments are located.
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buildings, because ruins, cisterns, batteries, roads, walls, parks, tombs and wells are also included.
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an idea about what could be possible. Between Godett Planta‐ tion, the Historic Core and the Bay Path is one con‐ nected area that includes all the elements of 18th century St. Eustatius. It starts with a sugar planta‐ tion with refinery and ar‐ chaeological remains of a slave village (Godett Plan‐ tation); then following the coastline: batteries (Waterfort and Rotterdam Battery), remains of a slave station (built within the Waterfort) and ruins of warehouses (on the Bay); then going up the Bay Path: a fort (Fort Oranje) and town with churches Deep yard, culturally and historically significant. (Historic Core). All the aspects of an 18th century The Monuments Council much longer. Some even cumbersome. He refers to Caribbean island are rep‐ that is to be installed in maintain that there are the example of Curaçao, resented in one concise area that can easily be the near future can use over 500 sites that could were a team of people have been working for toured in one visit: sugar Hellebrand’s descriptions be monuments in St. quite some time already plantation, slavery, de‐ and hand them over to Eustatius! to get the Western plan‐ fense, trading, administra‐ the Executive Council for At the presentation on tation area on the tenta‐ tive and residential. Helle‐ approval. If the Executive Friday, Mr. Siem Council approves, the Dijkshoorn reminded the tive list. It is not possible brand admits that It will object will become a le‐ audience of the possibility to have the entire island not be an easy goal, but gally protected monu‐ for St. Eustatius to be in‐ as a World Heritage Site, that should not be a rea‐ ment. The Monuments cluded in UNESCO’s list of but Walter Hellebrand has son not to try it. Ordinance requires that World Heritage Sites. Ac‐ the Monuments Council cording to Mr. Helle‐ consists of members who brand, this is not a matter are experts in one of the that should be thought of following fields: architec‐ too lightly. To start with, ture, town planning, art St. Eustatius would have history, legal matters, to compete with the his‐ finance, history of St. toric centre of Amsterdam Eustatius, archaeology, and other sites in the or tourism. The members Netherlands that have a will work towards making whole apparatus of peo‐ ple behind them to push our historic sites real monuments. In the mean their candidature. The Townscaping time, Mr. Hellebrand’s whole preparatory and work is not finished. He already has a list of some 70 additional sites and this list can be made
bureaucratic procedure that has to be followed to successfully put in a pro‐ posal is quite lengthy and
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A B RIEF H ISTORY This is the brief history of Statia as described in the World Heritage re‐ port no. 14 (2005). In their chapter, Siem Dijkshoorn and Grant Gillmore demonstrate the universal impor‐ tance of St. Eustatius in world history.
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By the 1780‐90s, almost 10,000 merchants, slaves and plantation owners were crowded on this little speck measuring only 8 kilometres by 4 kilometers (Goslinga 1985:152‐3).
November 16, 1776 a sa‐ lute was fired from Fort Oranje in reply to a salute by the brigantine Andrew Doria (Tuchman 1988). 1985:209). The merchants on St. The scale of this illegal Eustatius provided much sugar trade is illustrated of the arms, gunpowder by the fact that in 1779, and ammunition used by the rebels in the American Revolution and as a result experienced the full wrath of the English Navy and Marines under the com‐ mand of Admiral G. B. Rodney in 1781 (Jameson 1903). The largest booty captured See http://whc.unesco.org/documents/publi_wh_papers_14_en.pdf for more information. anywhere during the Colo‐ nial Period was the result: Statia produced only a fleet loaded with over The Golden Rock Free Trade £5,000,000 was sent back The extreme historical Merchants from the Neth‐ 13,600 pounds of sugar significance of this island erlands, France, Britain, and exported almost 25 to England (Hurst 1996). million pounds (Goslinga Unfortunately for Rodney has been lost to most the American Colonies, and the English, French people due to the vaga‐ Spain, Portugal and Den‐ 1985:227)! privateers had been tipped ries of time. mark all commingled in a To facilitate this trade, over 600 warehouses off and intercepted the However, during the sev‐ peaceful international enteenth and eighteenth emporium for free trade were built along the shore fleet carrying the loot to below Oranjestad, its England. Admiral Rodney centuries St. Eustatius not to be found any‐ (Eastman 1996:30). died a poor man. main city was known in most every where else in the Carib‐ European and American bean. (Breen 1998, Goslinga Changing Hands 1985, 1990, Klooster 1998, Treasure Island household due to the The island was so impor‐ Some researchers even Schaw et al. 1934 (1778)). massive international tant that it changed hands believe that Robert Louis trade that transpired on Although the tax free among the Dutch, English Stevenson’s Treasure Is‐ this island. status of St. Eustatius en‐ and French twenty two land was likely based on Over 3,400 ships a year couraged this vast trade, times over two centuries, stories he heard about St. until the Dutch perma‐ from Europe, Africa and it also resulted in Statia Eustatius (Ayisi 1992). After becoming a haven nently wrested control in 1820, trade activities the Americas landed the early nineteenth cen‐ shifted from the West In‐ here, earning the island’s for illicit inter‐island ex‐ change or the klein vaart tury (Hartog 1976). dies to North America nickname‐‐The Golden as it was known to the resulting in the depression Rock (Knappert 1929‐30). The First Salute No other port in Europe Dutch. For example in of Statia’s economy and its 1753, the English The sovereignty of the or America was as busy slipping from the world’s United States was first during the latter half of Parliament complained collective conscience. recognized here when on the eighteenth century. that Jamaican planters were sending much of their sugar to St. Eustatius to earn greater profits instead of shipping it to England where they would have to pay exorbi‐ tant taxes (Goslinga
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H ISTORICAL F OUNDATION B OARD C ELEBRATION
The members of the board of the historical foundation. Left to right: Leonora Sneek, Floydd Woodley, Rick Kusters, June Boulton, Rosable Blake, Rinda Reeves, June Kennedy and Mr. Ellis Lopes.
Mr. Ishmael Berkel told the story about how he obtained the Simon Doncker house for the Historical Foundation with the help of Queen Beatrix.
Tuesday March 31 The Board of the Historical Foundation had their 35th anniversary with a celebra‐ tion at the museum. Lt. Gov. Mr. Hyden Git‐ tens, commissioner Mr. Roy Hooker, boardmem‐ ber Rosabel Blake and Si‐ mon Donckerclubmember Raime Richardson all had the same message: Local people join the board! Find interest in your his‐ tory! The Historical Foundation has done a lot of good work for Statia over the past 35 years. The monu‐ ment board is part of the historical foundation and made this list of proposed monuments. Since the museum has its’ own con‐ sultant, more possibilities
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to do extra things to pro‐ went on public The Kili kili band with Mr. Walton Schmidt singing mote the museum and sale. This place also the historical educa‐ was the best tion came. In short time, place to locate a Statia cookbook, a Sta‐ the museum. tia walkingguide and the Mr. Berkel deci‐ historical signs came. ded that the Historical Foun‐ Great thing have been dation could not miss this oppor‐ done and past board‐ members were comme‐ tunity. But he had no money morated. and there was another would tell the Queen So the bidding started, and The historical foundation, bidder. about the house. the bidding went higher the people that were members of the historical Mr. Berkel and the rest of The next morning, the and higher. Finally the morning of the bidding, foundation in the past other bidder gave up. the board decided to fi‐ and also the people that nally use that telephone‐ they decided to call that work in the museum pre‐ number. An assistent to number again. The assis‐ The Simon Donckerhouse sently were thanked for a Queen Beatrix answered tent told Mr. Berkel that was to be Statia’s muse‐ Queen Beatrix would pay. um! job well done. the phone. He said he Mr. Ishmael Berkel, for‐ mer president of the board told the story of the Simon Donckerhouse. The museum started in a building opposite the hospital. People gave artefacts to the museum and they filled it with old things. When the board had a meeting, they would sit on the paint‐ buckets. It was hard work. Then Mr. Ishmael Berkel had the honour and privilege to show the The Simon Doncker club is a group of children age 9 and up, led by Misha Span‐ ner and assisted by her sister Joanna. The beautiful costumes the girls weared museum to Her Majesty for their dance, were made by Misha’s mother. The club is very active and Mis‐ Queen Beatrix. When the ha not only teaches them about history, but also teaches them to behave good. tour was done, she gave The kids are very attached to the Simon Donckerclub, if it was up to them, they Mr. Berkel her personal would go three times a week., Misha says. They take walks, they explore the Telephone number. museum, they do arts and crafts, and on the celebration they also did a skitt by “If you need help, call Mr. Ellis Lopes and a dance. The girls and boys were dancing, dressed as slaves, me.” she urged him. while their Shon, was chasing them and trying to hit them. In the end, they we‐ re free and celebrating their freedom. Later in the evening, Raime Richardson Time past and one day the Simon Doncker house said that the Simon Doncker is creating future members of the historical foun‐ dation. He promised he would join.
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S TEBA ’ S A NNUAL G ENERAL M EMBERSHIP M EETING Thursday April 2 Steba had its’annual gen‐ eral membership meet‐ ing. Steba had 59 members at the end of 2007 and 64 at the end of 2008. Mr. Ron Courtar, chair‐ man of the board, red the annual report. He commemorated Mr. Lasil Rouse, Steba lost in September 2008. He was one of the longest lasting members and an exam‐ ple for all of its members in supporting and con‐ tributing to this organiza‐ tion.
his request. Due to many other commitments the job becomes more and more difficult to carry out for Mr. Sneek. He still is willing to contribute and he postulates himself for a position on the board. In the following some words from his speech: Over the last four years, Steba has grown in mem‐ bership, from 20 members to 64 members. It repre‐ sents a large part of the businesses on the island. Steba also became a vocal representative that ad‐ dressed many issues that are important not only for the business sector, but also for the community as a whole. What happened last year “The association de‐ manded a leadership role One of Steba’s concern and to be listened to and last year was the amount we had and have all rights of establishment permits to do so. Isn’t it the private for businesses were sector that creates jobs? granted. Steba has ad‐ Isn’t it the private sector vised the Government 22 that through taxes sup‐ times. Business licenses Koos Sneek :” Government obstructs the reali‐ plies the necessary budget have been requested for for the government appa‐ zation of any project.” a variety of businesses ratus and the politicians to like car repair shop, res‐ time being.” function?” Koos Sneek says taurant, marine business, A Venus Bay committee‐ goodbye but wants consultancy, car wash, has been established by “Steba should take a lead‐ to stay involved just to name a few. Government, omitting the ing role in initiatives such inclusion of Steba. Efforts as attracting investments, Steba believes that too by Steba to promote Mr. Koos Sneek had his promoting Statia’s busi‐ many businesses are es‐ some smaller hotel devel‐ last speech as the general nesses abroad, carrying tablished and in opera‐ opment at Zeelandia and director of Steba. Since out of studies that lead to tion with a lack of quality Oranjebaai did not mate‐ four years ago, AMFO business opportunities, and professionalism. subsidized that position as educating the sector rialize. a part time job. This sub‐ through workshops, lec‐ Mr. Ron Courtar also sidy ended after a year Mr. Courtar also mentions tures etc. , encouraging mentioned the Venus among other issues such and in August 2007, Bay project. The initial Sneeks’ pay stopped on project advocated by Steba had been blown out of proportions and were to include a much larger area then intended. “The latter was for a large part the result of various sug‐ gestions launched by members of Government. Efforts were then made to delay and scale down the project. The financial‐ and credit crisis, has put this project on hold for the
as the concern of labor shortage and the difficul‐ ties with waiting for work‐ and residency permits and the concern about the lack of vision of Gebe con‐ cerning alternative en‐ ergy.
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young people to become entrepreneurs.” According to Sneek, Steba did plenty of most of these subjects. He then admits that Steba was not completely suc‐ cesfull. “In particular in the field of attracting investment we did not achieve the goals we have set.” According to Sneek inde‐ cisiveness, micro man‐ agement, the ancient permit ordinance, the slow responding, or no responding of govern‐ ment, bureaucracy and red tape, discourages potential investors. He talks about the Venus Bay project, the attempts to bring in a Chamber of Commerce, the advocat‐ ing of alternative energy, the air connectivity.
The future He has a clear idea about the future: “Our eco‐ nomic base is too small to pay for all infra struc‐ ture, such as airport, har‐ bor, hospital, schools and you name it. We need to expand this base, which means that we need a larger business sector and a larger population.” We also need economic development to offer our youth job and career opportunities. Sneek says: “One should have a right and the opportunity
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matoes are red, they will buy them.` Another ques‐ tion was: “Isn’t it possible to have a five year tax holiday for small business in these difficult times?” “No!” “But Obama did that in the US!” “How can we ask for that and other island will not get it?” Another question, some‐ thing like: “Will Dutch investors come and threaten our local small businesses?” was asked. “For now, there are no Dutch investors.” A real discussion about that Mr. Woodley about worry didn’t start. It was Dualism more like: “There is noth‐ ing to worry about.” An‐ Commissioner Mr. Julian other remark was about Woodley gave some in‐ investing in for example sight in Statia’s political the harbor. “Why does situation after the transi‐ Mr. Woodley say that we tion. He is certain that have to look out for what when dualism is imple‐ we need and not for what mented, government will we want?” The gentleman become better. In dual‐ starting this discussion ism, a commissioner can‐ thought it wiser to think not be an island council bigger. member, a commissioner will no longer be his own The election of new boss. In the future we will board members have two commissioners and 5 island council mem‐ The meeting did not reach bers. the quorum (by one!) necessary to vote for a Dicussion new board. In two weeks another general member After the speeches a dis‐ meeting will take place to cussion began about sev‐ vote for four new mem‐ eral subjects. How can bers of the board. local products compete with the low prices due to Three people will remain the fact that Statia will in the board: Ron Courtar, have no import duties? who is the chairman and Mr. Woodley said some‐ directly elected by the thing like: `When the to‐ members, Arlene Cuvalay
to build a live in one’s own country. This island is not there only for the pensioners and expatri‐ ates who are much con‐ tented with the situation as it is. This island is there in the first place for the Statians.” In closing he expressed his sincere appreciation to those who have sup‐ ported him over the years, in particular the members of the board.
and Siem Dijkshoorn. Three other people make their seats available; Marva Woodley, Ingrid Whitfield and Sharon Has‐ sell. One other position is vacant, the board needs to have seven members. So four members will be elected. On the list are: Marva Woodley, Ingrid Whitfield, Sharon Hassell, Anton Kanters (Dutch Plumbing) and Koos Sneek. Other members can still put their name on the can‐ didate list. .
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Thursday April 2 Lt. Gov. Chris Johnson is very clear about the edu‐ cation on Saba. The language of instruc‐ tion will be English in the primary school and in the secondary school. The final exams will be in English. Saba hasn’t de‐ cided which exampro‐ gram they will use. The CXC exams are suitable for the mavo and havo level, the international Baccalaureate is suitable for VWO pupils. On Saba the decision was made to merge all the elementary schools and start one elementary school for all the children on Saba. When Johnson
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was in Holland for the last Besweek about education, they told him that this school could be placed in The Hague, because it is of Dutch standard. Johnson states that Hol‐ land is the most liberal country in the world, with all different kinds of schools. There is no way that such a liberal country would tell Saba to change its language of instruc‐ tion. When Dutch was the language of instruction in the secondary school, the number of drop outs was 80 percent. Now that the language of instruction is English, the number of drop outs is 20 percent.
A T EACHERS U NION The participants in the edu‐ cational process are the management and school‐ boards, government and the union.
The minister of education of the Netherlands, Mr. Ronald Plasterk (PvdA = labour‐ party) will be accountable.
The inspection of education In the schoolboards parents of the Netherlands says that are respresented, the teachers are not a real partner in the decision mak‐ These three partners take ing. equal part to influence the policies made for education. A teachers union could help. Teachers could go to the The Netherlands soon will notary, set up a “vereniging”, be responsible for the edu‐ copy statutes from another cation on the BES islands. Union, choose a board and Then the level of education be united in a Union. must be at the Dutch level.
Chris Johnson: “Holland is the most liberal country in the world.” “Education must be avail‐ struction in English and exams in English meets able to the students” is their needs. what Johnson says, in‐
T HE CONFERENCE E DUCATION March 30 ‐ April 3, The conference started Monday with talks with teachers, pupils, boards, management and other stakeholders. Tuesday Mr. Dick Nierop of APS (centre for school improvement) in the Netherlands and Mrs. Els van Oostrom of NA SCI (Netherlands Antilles Cen‐ ter for School Improve‐ ment) from Curacao pre‐ pared the conference that was going to be held on Wednesday.
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Mr. Nierop had a conver‐ sation with Statianews Tuesday morning. He said that all the schools have the same problems. They have difficulties with the behavior of pupils, they do not have enough materials and books and they are concerned about the level of Dutch the children reach. Mr. Nierop admitted that the language choices must be made and the link bet‐ ween primary and secon‐ dary education must be made.
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T HE C ONFERENCE He also mentioned the lack of competition he talked about with diffe‐ rent people on Monday. Children need competiti‐ on. He said the talks on Mon‐ day were good, all con‐ cerned were very open and honest and especial‐ ly the parents were very involved. Nierop gave some in‐ sights in class dynamics: If 70% of the children in the class are smarter than the rest (30%), the smarter kids will push up the others. If 70% is less smart than the rest, the smarter kids will be pul‐ led down. The FBE system is a sys‐ tem with flexible didac‐ tics. Children with great self discipline can benefit from flexible didactics. It gives them the freedom to explore and develop themselves. Children with less self discipline need strict di‐ dactics. Parents that are educa‐ ted and that stimulate their children have a gre‐ at impact on the school‐ results of their children. On Wednesday the con‐ ference started. Who were there?
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E DUCATION F OLLOW –
Lt. Gov. Mr. Hyden Git‐ tens, Commissioner of education Mr Roy Hooker (DP), Commissioner Mr. Julian Woodley (DP) Is‐ land council member Mrs. Adelka Spanner (DP) Is‐ land council member Mr. Clyde van Putten (PLP) Only one island council member was missing, that was Mr. Zaandam, he was meeting with Mr. David Dick, who happened to be on Statia too. The inspector of educa‐ tion, Mrs. Brenda van Putten was keynote speaker. Lady Alida Fran‐ cis spoke on behalf of the schoolboards. Commis‐ sioner Mr. Roy Hooker on behalf of the island coun‐ cil and Mrs. Debby Brown on behalf of the school principals, a psychologist from Sint Maarten on behalf of Youth care and Mrs. Edris Bennet on be‐ half of the parents. An action plan to improve Statia’s education is in the make. A Steering Group is installed to make sure this plan will be finetuned and implemented. At the end of the day the Steering Group was re‐ minded that the next day they must come together to make the action plan for improvement of Stati‐ a’s education. Now a misunderstanding
took place. The principal of the Gwendoline van Puttenschool formed a teachers delegation for that stearing gourp and the teachers that would join that steering Group where not known to the rest of the teachers. Some of the teacher were so angry about that lack of transparancy, that they decided to strike. They stayed on the school pre‐ misses and the students also stayed. The schoolboard of the GVP school gave a war‐ ning and said that this strike did not have a legal ground. Friday afternoon, the pre‐ sentation of the Action Plan was held in the Government Guesthouse. The teachers that striked the other day were wor‐ king again and joined the meeting. To illustrate how not to behave as a educator, Mrs. Debby Brown and her team of the Catholic School had rehearsed a skitt about a teacher, a pupil and a principal (played by herself). The teacher doesn’t know how to deal with a pupil and asks the principal for help. The principal looses control and gets furious. The great laughter that came from the audience,
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seemed to release a lot of tension. She also brought her tea‐ chers forward and said that education is a joint effort. Next issue, more about the action plan and its’ follow up.
P AGE 14 P OLICE
S TATIA N EWS
R ECRUITMENT
FOR THE
P OLICE
Thursday, April 2, Antillean Minister of Jus‐ tice Mr. David Dick was on Statia together with the head of the Korps Politie Sint Maarten Saba and St Eustatius and the recruitment team for a big recruiting campaign. At the press conference at the end of the day he said he was very impres‐ sed with Statia’s crime prevention program. Especially the way in which values for good social conduct were ex‐ pressed in the tv spots were an example to him also for Curacao. When asked why he starts recruiting police workers now, that the Dutch Antilles almost break up, he said that he still considers all Antille‐ ans his family. It’s good to have local people join the policeforce. After the students arri‐ ves, Lt. Gov. Mr. Hyden Gittens said that if you
work for the police you actually work for yourself. You work to make your own environment a better and safer place. Mr. Dick and other people of the recruitment team also spoke and Mr. Hodge ga‐ ve some explanation about the applicatioin procedures and the police academy. It ended with a surprisingly funny and professional videoclip that made the students laugh and cheer.
Requirements Students from all levels of secondary education can join. You have to be over 18, not too short and with no criminal records. Direct family members must have no criminal records either.
The Police Academy The Police Academy on Curacao is 15 months, and that includes job training. In these 15 months stu‐ dents will recieve a salary
Minister of Justice David Dick is re‐ cruiting young people to join the police force.
of 2100 NAF. You will live on the campus and have school from 8—12 am and from 1 to 5 pm. The sub‐ jects at the police acade‐ my in Curacao are: Dutch language, civil law, penal law, basic knowledge of state law, computer skills, working with arms, foren‐ sic studies, practical poli‐ ce skills, traffic laws and personal development. The first two weeks are vigourous. You will be drilled to get out of your “Comfort Zone”. Physical exercize will be a part of the training. The re‐ cruitment team said that you can make a career when you keep edu‐ cating yourself.
While you are working as a police officer you will get a lot of opportunities to educate yourself more and specialize.
Application Procedure Apart from age and educa‐ tion, a future student at the police academy will have other requirements: Your application starts with an interview. Then you will get some tests: A medical test, a psycholo‐ gical test, a sport test, a Dutch language test, and a general attitude test. With the Dutch language you will be helped at the academy. The following quality must be expressed in that appli‐ cation procedure. Future students of the Police Aca‐ demy have to FEEL the responsibility.
P AGE 15 S PORTS
S TATIA N EWS
S DA S CHOOL M INI O LYMPICS Thursday March 26, The SDA primary school had a sports event on the field next to the airport. Talking to Mrs. Laverne David, head of the SDA school. “We wanted to do a track and field, because our children love to run. We decided to do a mini‐ olympics. The school was divided into three houses: the red house, the orange house and the blue house. We judged the children for their sports achievements, but also for their behavior. Bad behavior would cost points. The childrens’ behavior was very good, they had a great time, at times, the teachers were confused, when the chil‐ dren had to do a game,
The school was divided in a red, an orange and a blue house. The red house won. they were so excited and running around that the teachers couldn’t find the children.”
Statia has had sport days before, but not like this. It was a success and a lot of parents participated. Mrs David: “We are plan‐ ning to have another mini‐ olympics like this, with our best winners playing against the best sportplay‐ ers of the other schools.”
Commissioner Hooker handed out the medals for the fastest runners.
P AGE 16 H EALTH
S TATIA N EWS
T ACKLE D IABETES N OW Column written by Joyce Wijshake. Research has shown the positive effects of resis‐ tance training (strength) in combination with en‐ durance training (condition) on the pre‐ vention of complications of Diabetes. Endurance (cardio) train‐ ing is to stimulate the heart pump, get more blood vessels active and increase the glucose‐ transport and total me‐ tabolism. It stimulates the HbA1c rate Lowering the HbA1c rate to normal will decrease the risks of getting micro‐vascular complications. Resistance training is to stimulate more muscle tissues. The amount of muscle tissues has a cor‐ relation with the glucose control. The more active muscles the more use of fuel (glucose), the more sensitiveness for insulin. and the more absorption of glucose, What is Fitness? Fitness has to do with condition. Condition means; Strength/Endurance/ Speed/Coordination/ Suppleness and Pliancy of the muscles and joints/ Body composition (muscle‐fat ratio)
The outcome is your per‐ sonal heartbeat (.. beats per minute) How fit are you actually? A simple beginning of improving yourself 1. Start with counting your steps/time when you go around the block and log it in your personal logbook 2. Try to increase that amount of steps by making the block bigger or de‐ crease the time when walking the same block. 3. try to increase the time by doing it every day. (Reach for the 10.000 steps a day) If you can’t walk and be confined to a chair; Start stretching out your legs/arms in the air up and down. Count the amount and time (3 times machines or lose weights a week) For the Tackle Diabetes Increase the amount every like dumbbells/exercise Now!‐program the FITT‐ week. bands (resistance) factors for cardio and re‐ Increase the time by doing sistance training are; How do you know what it every day. your personal maximum Frequency; 3x a week, but heartbeat (frequency)is; better is 5x times a week Use the following for‐ To learn more about the mula for the heart fre‐ Tackle Diabetes Now! Pro‐ Intensity; starting at 60% quency; ject, call 318‐4304 of your maximum heart‐ step 1. 220 (max heart (physical therapist) or reg‐ frequency and increasing frequency) minus your ister yourself right away age it gradually to 90% for for the program via your step 2a. Multiply that cardio training doctor. number with 0,6 (the For resistance training you start whit 60% of the lower level for the first Learn more details about the positive advantages of 1RM and increasing it month) this active lifestyle pro‐ gradually to 90%. step 2b. Multiply that number with 0,8/0,9 (the gram. Time; 20min (1st month) level for the second/ third up to 60 min (as of the month) For training you need to implement the following FITT‐ factors; Frequency = how many times a week Intensity = how heavy Time = how long after each other Type = type of exercise; endurance training or resistance training
3rd month) for cardio training and 1 session of 20 repetitions (1st month) up to 3 sessions of 8‐10 rps (as of 3rd month). Every month you increase the level Type; walking, jogging, swimming, cycling, aero‐ bics etc.(cardio) exercise
P AGE 17 M USIC
S TATIA N EWS
A PRIL 25: E VENING
Different students from all of Statia’s schools, inclu‐ ding students of the Medi‐ cal school and of the Ter‐ minal school are preparing themselves for this event. New contestants can still join the competition. There are three categories in the music competition. Dancehall / hip hop Soca / Calypso R&B / Gospel Each artist can present two songs. The first song is a personal choice. This song will be judged on performance and appea‐
FOR
Y OUNG T ALENT
rance. The second song has to be based on educa‐ tion and the lyrics will be the main point on which the artist is judged. There will also be a free category in which instru‐ mental songs can compe‐ te. The second competition will be poetry. The areas the judges will focus on are: Appearance Expression Lyrics
The poem has to be ba‐ sed on education and should be original. The main rules for the competition are: All contestants must be clean, neat and approp‐ riate attired when in public. You are not allowed to enter more than one category unless you are a sub in Group or Duet. Poems should be less than 1 minute recited. Songs should be less than 5 minutes length.
Besides this competition, various artists will per‐ form. Come and encourage our young talents! April 25th, at the COMMUNITY CENTRE. It will start at 8.30 PM and end at 11.30.
P AGE 18 M USIC
S TATIA N EWS
P ERFECT P LACE The Youths are the Future x3 School is a perfect place where we can learn to read and write Where u can get an ed-education in this world of life Nuff ah dem give up…demotivated by another Nuff ah dem rather live dem lives in the gutter Momma send dem School and deya chill pon deh corner How can we mek this dis better Education is the key to success System give up, dem cyaan deal wid da stress Youths dem ah stray because dem life is a mess Minds dem ah fail because their focus is less School is a perfect place where we can learn to read and write Where u can get an ed-education in this world of life Momma use to say, things of this world cyaant mek mi ah man, but a good education will Just believe ina yo hopes n dreams and you will succeed, In jah works it will fulfil A good education is better than gold because vanity will vanish away Cause even in the toughest times when things look mild, I know there is a brighter day Education is the key to success System give up, dem cyaan deal wid da stress Youths dem ah stray because dem life is a mess Minds dem ah fail because their focus is less School is a perfect place, where we can learn to read and write Where u can get an ed-education in this world of life. Repeat 2x The Youths are the Future x4
written by Mega D
P AGE 19 M USIC
S TATIA N EWS
S TATIA E ASTER M ADNESS
The famous Antiguan band, 3 Cylinder will play on Statia Sunday April 12 at the Community Cen‐ ter. As the name suggests, Three Cylinder Band is composed of three musi‐ cians; David “Krokus” Edwards, Toriano “Onyan” Edwards and Dalma “Boogie” George. 3 Cylinder was formed over fourteen years ago, born out of their love of music, the desire to per‐ form all genres of music
AND
and the need to accom‐ modate small entrepre‐ neurs who could not af‐ ford the cost of the larger band Burning Flames, also from Antigua. Burning Flames band had been the number one soca‐calypso band in the Caribbean for twenty‐nine years and has performed in many ven‐ ues from Amsterdam to Peru, and 3 cylinder is regarded as many as just as exciting. David "Krokus" Edwards, a critically acclaimed bass player, has been rocking
3 C YLINDER
professionally for over twenty‐nine years. His intense style and knowl‐ edge of his bass guitar has made him a much sought after musician. Krokus often competes in Anti‐ gua’s Soca Monarch Com‐ petition and has won or placed in the top two places every time. As the founding member of the Burning Flames band he travels around the world performing. Krokus writes, composes and sings many of the songs on the annually produced CD.
Toriano “Onyan” Edwards has been in the music busi‐ ness writing, recording and producing records for over twenty‐nine years. Onyan began his career touring with the Mighty Arrow as his guitarist/arranger help‐ ing to produce such hits as “HOT, HOT, HOT” before starting Antigua’s most successful band, Burning Flames. In 1997, Onyan went solo with an album called "Crazy Man" which took the Caribbean by storm. His song “Island Girl” has
P AGE 20 M USIC
S TATIA N EWS
E ASTERN M ADNESS been used as a theme song in several movies and television shows. He won the crown and cov‐ eted titles as the Calypso King of Antigua and Soca Monarch King for four years. Onyan is the ghost writer for many other Caribbean Artists and has since returned to the Burning Flames band as the lead singer. Dalma “Boogie” George started playing drums at
FOLLOW
–
the age of twelve in his father’s Scout Brigade Band, a unit that per‐ formed for various fetes and festivals throughout Antigua. Since then he has played professionally for a number of local bands: Ebonites Steel Orchestra, Fabulous Antiguans, Ex‐ pression Brass, Lavis‐ count, Three Cylinder, Vision Band, Rawden Ed‐ wards Trio, All Star Band, and Dread and the Bald‐ head.
UP Boogie likes all styles of music, especially jazz, and has recorded for such prominent calypsonians as Swallow, Progress and Latumba. He has also per‐ formed with Brian McKnight. Boogie is known Caribbean wide as “the Drummer El Su‐ premo” and often has his personal audience at shows that come to ex‐ perience his mastery and showmanship on the
drums. So come out and see for yourself, Sunday April 12, at the Community Center on the Northside of Oran‐ jestad on the Golden Rock St. Eustatius! Bring your bling to that event! © Copyright 2001/2002/2003/2004/20 05 caribbeanracing.com
Judith Lopes and the Aids Committee present: BIKINI BEACH BASH “PROTECT YOURSELF AND STAY IN LINE” 2 PM GALLOWS BAY BEACH Come and see some of Statia’s finest male & fe‐ male models strust their stuff on stage.
P AGE 21 P OLITICS
E UROPEAN E LECTIONS , REGISTER
S TATIA N EWS
BEFORE
APRIL 22!!!!!!!!!!
het Koninkrijk”, redefi‐ ning the Kingdom, in which he urges coopera‐ tion and the importance of being part of the Eu‐ ropean Union. In his opinion, International law will take over Natio‐ nal law. On the islands we have to take into account that we are under the influence of globalisation and inter‐ national treaties, accor‐ ding to Croes. Nadya van Putten went to the ABC islands to campaign. She is candi‐ Dienst Burgerzaken, date number 5 on the list of Groen links, the Postbus 12620, leftwing party. One of 2500 DL Den Haag, the main issues of Groen The Netherlands Links is reducing poverty MITO CROES “More Europe means less Holland” on the Antillian islands The census office also has and they strive for a bet‐ these forms. ter social security sys‐ tem. The protections of monuments is also impor‐ Let your vote count, regis‐ One of the candidaties ter befor April 22. natural resources and tant for Groen Links. for the CDA is Mito Croes, who used to be Minster for Aruba in Hol‐ land. He will visit Statia in the coming weeks to acti‐ vate people to vote. Mito Croes is candidate number 11 on the CDA list. The CDA is the Chris‐ tian Democratic Party that is now in Govern‐ ment in the Netherlands. His slogan is: “More Eu‐ rope means less Holland” In May 2006, Mito Croes finished his thesis (proefschrift) entitled: NADYA VAN PUTTEN wants to fight poverty “De herdefiniëring van
People that live in the Dutch Antilles and on Aruba can register to vote for the European Parlement. To register as a voter, you have to fill in a registrationform. This form can be found on: http://www.denhaag.nl/ Docs/dbz/D%203%202% 20PDF%20invulbaar.pdf Before APRIL 22, 2009, you have to send this form, togehter with a copy of your Dutch Pas‐ sport to:
PAGE 17 advertisement
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S TATIA N EWS