Each year, schools demonstrating excellence in healthy eating, physical activity, and overall well-being are celebrated at the Annual Healthy Schools Awards Ceremony. This prestigious event honors public, private, and preschool institutions that have prioritized student and staff wellness by meeting this year’s selected health components.
Recognizing Wellness Excellence
Schools participating in the Healthy Schools programme showcase their commitment to a healthier environment by aligning with four main Components of Health:
- Physical Environment – Fostering safe, supportive, and health-conscious school settings.
- Physical Education & Physical Activity – Providing opportunities for students to be active throughout the school day.
- Health Education – Teaching essential health concepts across all school levels.
- Social and Emotional Environment – Supporting positive relationships and mental well-being among students and staff.
Celebrating the Journey: Health for Success Accomplishments
Since its inception, the Healthy Schools initiative has built a legacy of impactful health policies and school wellness programs. Here’s a timeline of key milestones:
- 1991-1994: Under the guidance of Dr. Mark Coulby, the Health for Success committee was formed, strengthening partnerships with schools to address health topics like violence prevention and mental health.
- 1994-1998: With leadership from Mrs. Betsy Baillie and public health nutritionists, a School Nutrition Policy was developed, and a structured Public School Health Education Curriculum was created to ensure consistent, age-appropriate health education.
- 1999-2004: Former committee nurses Lovette Lovell and Lynn Jackson coordinated early childhood health initiatives, launching Preschool Nutrition Policies and establishing an annual health assessment for 5-year-olds. During this time, the Teen Wellness Assessment was also introduced to capture health data for middle and senior school students.
One of the standout programs developed during this period was the Nutrition Incentives Initiative in partnership with the Bermuda Diabetes Association, which rewards schools for leading nutrition and physical activity projects.
The Implementation of the Healthy Schools Program in 2024: Program Successes and Community Partnerships
Healthy Schools has also driven initiatives like Bermuda’s first school breakfast program at Francis Patton Primary, backed by MarketPlace and the Continental Society, along with enhanced P.E. and afterschool programs through the Department of Youth & Sport. These programs emphasize the role of nutrition, physical activity, and social well-being in supporting students' academic and personal success.
A Unified Goal for Health and Success
Through the Healthy Schools programme, the Departments of Education and Health work together to ensure every student thrives in a school environment that prioritizes well-being. These efforts cultivate a culture of health and resilience that extends beyond the classroom and benefits the whole community. Join us in celebrating the strides made and in supporting the future of Bermuda’s youth through health and wellness.
For more information on the Healthy Schools programme and the Annual Awards Ceremony, please contact us at the Department of Health or visit our website at www.health.gov.bm.
Together, we’re building a healthier future!
The Healthy Schools Recognition Awards 2025-2026:
Category 1: Outstanding Custodians, Night Cleaners, & Cleaning Companies
• PLATINUM AWARDS (100% Achievement)
1. Elroy Smith – Dellwood Middle School
2. Daymound Gibbons – East End Primary
3. Andrew Richardson – East End Primary
• GOLD AWARDS (80 – 99% Achievement)
1. Bright Brigade Cleaning Company
2. Teayona Gilbert – CedarBridge Academy
3. Omar Jones – CedarBridge Academy
4. Jamel Symonds – CedarBridge Academy
5. Edward Williams – CedarBridge Academy
6. Ronald Tannock – Dalton E. Tucker Primary
7. Keithlyn Fleming – Dame Marjorie Bean Hope Academy
8. Herbert Dillas – Dellwood Middle School
9. Dean Smith – Dellwood Middle School
10. Deborah Richardson Swan – Dellwood Middle School
11. Francene Ferguson-Johnson – Elliot Primary
12. Perry Trott – Elliot Primary
13. Deon Scott – Francis Patton Primary
14. Tracey Raynor – Lagoon Park Preschool
15. Troy Douglas – Lyceum Preschool
16. Keith Smith – Northlands Primary
17. Sherine Altenor – Paget Primary
18. Craig Evans – Port Royal Primary
19. Ricky Pimental – Prospect Preschool
20. Vagunel Smith – Purvis Primary
21. Juliette Stevens – Purvis Primary
22. Randolph Joynes – Somersfield Academy
23. Menu Shrestha, Somersfield Academy
24. Frank Smith – Somerset Primary
25. Ammuaakhu Sahnera – Somerset Primary
26. Wallace Wellman – Southampton Preschool
27. Robert Pitcher – St. George’s Preparatory
28. Zeno Warner – St. George’s Preschool
29. Darick Desilva – St. David’s Primary
30. Danyon Trott – St. David’s Preschool
31. Paradise Cleaning – St. Paul’s Preschool
32. Preston Dowling – Success Academy
33. Jarazhino Bassett – The Berkeley Institute
34. Sherman Darrell – The Berkeley Institute
35. Tamika Hassell – The Berkeley Institute
36. George Mensah – The Berkeley Institute
37. Dorothy Seaman - The Berkeley Institute (Island Cleaning Company)
38. Rudolph Stroble – The Berkeley Institute
39. Anthony Raynor – Victor School Primary & Victor Scott Preschool
40. Clinton Simmons – Victor Scott Primary
41. Edwin Bashir – Warwick Preschool
42. Aaron Lewis – West End Primary
43. Edward Swan – West End Primary
44. Gregory Albuoy – West Pembroke Primary
45. Kevin Burgess – West Pembroke Primary
46. Jevon Easton-Vanderpool – West Pembroke Primary
47. Dennico Hollis – Whitney Institute Middle School
Category 2: Reviewed Preschools and Schools:
Government Preschools:
• Lagoon Park Preschool
• Lyceum Preschool
• Southampton Preschool
• St. Paul’s Preschool
Schools:
1. Bermuda High School for Girls
2. CedarBridge Academy
3. Elliot Primary
4. Francis Patton Primary
5. Northlands Primary
6. Port Royal Primary
7. Somersfield Academy
8. St. David’s Primary
9. St. George’s Preparatory School
10. The Berkeley Institute
11. Victor Scott Primary
Category 3: Outstanding Health-Promoting Public Service Officers:
Department of Education Officers who supported Healthy Schools:
• Mr. Dwayne Caisey, Facilities Manager
• Mr. Arnold Manders, Curriculum Officer for P.E. & Health
• Ms. Sakina Steede, Quality Assurance Officer and Child Development Coordinator
Department of Health:
• Environmental Health Officers who supported schools and participated in health/career fairs:
- Natalie Blake
- Jiana Caldwell
• School Nurses who promoted healthy eating habits:
- Tina Martin-James
- Channa McGowan
- Lucy Smith
• School nurses who promoted school health policies:
- Abigael Baker
- Debbie Barboza
- Allison Maycock
- Erinn Smith
• School nurses who participated in health/career fairs:
- Kelli Trott
- Lucy Smith
- Daedre-Ann Wilson-Walters
Category 4: Preschool and School Health Champions in Alphabetical Order:
Outstanding Category: Preparing and submitting Healthy Schools data for 15+ years:
• Melanie Burrows – CedarBridge Academy as School Safety and Health
Officer
• Suzette Cheeseman – Gilbert Institute & St. David’s Primary as Deputy Principal of both schools
• Kalmar Richards – as CedarBridge Academy Principal
Preschools:
• Lagoon Park Preschool: Kim DeSilva and Kari White
• Lyceum Preschool: Sarah Brown
• Southampton Preschool: Lugenia Payne
• St. Paul’s Preschool: Chrystal Bean
Schools:
• CedarBridge Academy: Operations Team: Jodi Ming, Kenni Maybury, and Reva Minors; Maintenance Team: Kevin Basden and Jamel Belboda; Custodial Staff: Teayona Gilbert, Omar Jones, Jamel Symonds, and Edward Williams; and Safety and Health Team: Melanie Burrows and Theslyn Catlyn Martin
• Elliot Primary: Daltonell Minors
• Francis Patton Primary: Quincey Aberdeen, Andrea Isaac, Wanda Maxwell, and Stacia Ming
• Northlands Primary: Kim Raymond
• Port Royal Primary: Marsha Rollins
• Sandys Secondary Middle School: Danielle DeShield, Chelsea Hamilton, Scott Simmons, and Reginald Tucker
• Somerset Primary: Lisa Siese and Winsome Wilson-Place
• Somersfield Academy: Tanisha Edwards and Randolph Joynes
• St. David’s Primary: Suzette Cheeseman
• St. George’s Preparatory School: David Campbell and Sophie Godden-Joseph
• St. Paul’s Preschool: Crystal Bean
• The Berkeley Institute: Brandi Bassett, Kia Burchall, Jaget Gordon, Alshia Lugo, Yashieka Samuda-Grant, Kerryann Wynter, and Tiannia Symonds
• The Bermuda High School for Girls: Fiona Lines
• Victor Scott Primary: Dana Bean, Keitha Hodgson, Aaron Lugo, and Tracy Wilson
Category 5: Community Health Partners:
• Bermuda Diabetes Association
• La Trattoria
• Open Airways
Category 6: Visionary Award (includes the Commissioner of Education and Former Departmental Chiefs and School Leaders):
• Dr. John Cann – Chief Medical Officer, who implemented Health for Success (1996 – 2003) and the Healthy Schools Program in 2004
• Dr. Joseph Christopher (posthumous) – Chief Education Officer, who implemented Health for Success (1996 – 2003) and the Healthy Schools Program in 2004
• Mrs. Cathy Bassett (posthumous)
• Dr. Melvin Bassett (posthumous)
• Mrs. Idonia Beckles
• Ms. Garita Coddington
• Mrs. Terry Cox
• Mr. Freddie Evans
• Mrs. Carol Figureido
• Ms. Tina Harris
• Dr. Timothy Jackson
• Mrs. Eunice Jones (posthumous)
• Mr. Charles Joynes (posthumous)
• Mrs. Mary Lodge
• Ms. Gloria Martin
• Mrs. Francine McMahon
• Mr. O’Brien Osborne
• Mrs. Linda Parker
• Dr. Dena Butterfield-Phipps
• Mrs. Kalmar Richards (as CedarBridge Academy Principal and Commissioner of Education
• Mrs. Evereth Richardson
• Mrs. Levyette Robinson
• Mrs. Michelle Simmons (posthumous)
• Mr. Stanfield Smith
• Mrs. Sandra Smith
• Mr. Wendell Smith
• Mrs. Lisa Swan
• Mrs. Tajauna Swan
• Mr. Carlos Symonds
• Dr. Lois Tucker
• Mr. Livingston Tuzo (posthumous)
• Mrs. Valerie Williams
Previous Heathy School Winners