On Friday June 6th, 2025, the Group Projects component of the Hello Tourist programme (HTP25) was judged. HTP25 is a special tourism awareness programme geared to Grade Six students aged 11-12 to foster greater understanding of the world of Tourism and Hospitality and the importance of the Environment to Tourism, and of the Service Experience to the guest.
Six schools participated, namely, VPS, OKPS, MVPS, VVPS, ATHPS and AARPS. Judging was carried out by a team of three judges from the DoE, in the persons of Mrs. Candis Niles, Tourism Education Coordinator, Mrs. Rita Celestine-Carty, Education Officer Human Resources, and Mrs. Wenonah Lawrence, Education Officer ICT. Two schools were penalized for late submission of their projects. Those schools were VPS and OKPS.
The judges ruled unanimously that Sixth place went to VPS with a score of 223; fifth place went to AARPS with a score of 243; fourth place was awarded to OKPS with a score of 254 out of a possible 300 points;; The third place awardee was ATHPS with a total score of 264; Second place was awarded to MVPS with a score of 274, and the first place honours were awarded to VVPS with a score of 292 out of 300 points.
While all the projects were deemed to be impressive and effective, one project stood out from the others. The winning project had a multi-pronged approach, which focused on beautification and conservation of the environment as a tool for channeling positive Mental Health through the creation of a garden oasis complete with plants, and a functional water fountain; as well as kid-friendly elements like hopscotch, used as a tool for de-escalating feelings of anger and angst, as well as for affirming positive and motivational thoughts. Also incorporated into the Oasis was a mirrored wall of positive Reflection and Affirmation, which included colorfully decorated Signposts highlighting various Virtues supplied by each student, and mounted Slates and colored Chalk for students to write positive messages to share with, and, inspire others. Aesthetically pleasing yet functional and interactive elements were also incorporated into the project’s layout with the addition of an Affirmation Rock Pool made from hand-painted sea rocks; as well as a beautifully decorated and hand-painted wooden Gazebo made from recycled pallet boards, representing a place of Inspiration in the school which beautifully and effectively incorporated Anguilla’s national colours. The use of solar-power for the water fountain; and benches made from pallet boards for students or parents to use, as well as drought resistant plants in the area all reflected principles of conservation, preservation and sustainability of the natural environment, while also addressing the reality of Mental ill Health – a deep-seated issue affecting many of our nation’s smallest and youngest citizens, who will one day become the face of Anguilla’s Tourism Industry.
The judges were impressed by the level of creativity, skill and engagement and enthusiasm displayed by the students, and the level of enjoyment, ownership and knowledge that they displayed as they spoke with the judges about their project and some of the challenges they experienced in working to bring the project to fruition. Students also demonstrated sound knowledge of principles of Hospitality, as they offered demonstrations and the opportunity for the judges to share in their project, as well as demonstrating Anguilla’s legendary Hospitality as they all shared in offering refreshments as a part of the appeal of the Inspirational Space Gazebo.
The VVPS must be especially commended for this wonderful achievement, as this is the fifth time in six years since the inception of the programme that they have earned the First Place Award for their efforts. In speaking to their winning formula, Tourism Education Coordinator, Mrs. Candis Niles, noted that this is a school that consistently chooses to go the extra mile in presenting their project, effectively modelling the principles of Quality which surpasses mere Excellence, by virtue of its undeniable focus on consistently delivering a high standard of work that also incorporates many undeniably kid-friendly, authentic elements.
The group project aims to help students to focus, within the context of Tourism, on the protection and preservation of the natural environment as well as the importance of enhancing and beautifying their surroundings in meaningful and aesthetically-pleasing ways and highlights the importance of group dynamics in achieving common goals. This year also saw the students reacting creatively to the growing trend of Mental Health Awareness to incorporate this important issue into the realm of Sustainability. The students are also given the opportunity to verbally present their thoughts on the project process through their interactions with the judges. The judges were satisfied that there was evidence of these objectives having been met in all submissions. While there were three winners selected from among the six projects presented, the Judges were particularly impressed with the scope of the Project and its reflection of the Principles of Sustainable Farming through the marriage of traditional and innovative methods presented by OKPS; with the Educative yet Aesthetic Value of the Project presented by ATHPS; with the Aesthetic Functionality of the Enhancement Project presented by MVPS; the Sustainable and Aesthetic Value of Repurposing Existing Elements of the Environment as a part of their Project at the VPS; while the Most Impactful Description of Experience was expressed by the students of AARPS in the presentation of their Mindful and Inspiring Project.
The DoE thanks the students for their hard work and enthusiastic response to the Group Projects, which reflected elements of the theme for this year’s Anguilla Day celebrations, “Fulfilling the Dreams of Our Revolutionaries, Making Unity and Patriotism Our Priorities” as Judge Rita Carty spoke to the students about the theme and how they, through their Concepts and Group Dynamics, had actually lifted the values from paper into Reality as evidenced by the overtones of Unity. Patriotism, Sustainability, and Active Concern for the Mental Health and Affirmation of our most Precious and Priceless Resource ~ our People, which were interwoven into each Group Project.
