We have been here two weeks tonight and I really can’t believe what we have managed to achieve.

The Tour

As part of our induction the department took us on a cultural tour of the island. We started the day by heading up to the Turtle Farm.

https://www.caymancompass.com/2016/09/05/new-public-school-teachers-take-in-turtle-farm/

Sea Turtles play an important part in Cayman culture, history and heritage, when the islands were first discovered the sea around them was so thick them that they were initially mistaken for reefs. The name for the Islands was originally Las Tortougas, the turtles, only later did they get named the Caymans after their native alligators.

The Cayman Green Sea Turtle are big 50 year adults easily 4 to 5 feet long, the ony turtle bigger are the much rarer local leather backs which can grow to the size of a VW beetle.

The green turtle was a staple food source for the islanders and as a result was hunted and became endangered so the farm was set up to breed and release turtles and to provide turtle meat. As a result of the conservation and education work the farm does green turtle numbers are recovering. The farm has 350 adult turtles and any number of young.

From the farm we headed on to the National Museum. The islands were initially discovered by Christopher Columbus and fell under the Spanish sphere of influence but they gave them to the British as part of the Jamaica settlement.

Slaves were settled on the island to try to start-up plantations but it was not a success so the islands were pretty much left to themselves with the locals making a living from the sea through fishing and turtles, rope making and weaving and harvesting the island mahogany trees to make boats. The isolated nature of life bred a very independent minded population that blended free slaves and white settlers into the people now recognised as the Cayman.

In part because of the need to pull together to survive and in part from the deeply religious nature of the community Caymanian society is very warm and open. The people we have met so far have been amazing, open friendly and helpful.They are also serious-minded, highly ambitious and driven, determined to make something special of their islands.

One example of this is the education system here it may be small but it aims to be world-class and the caliber of people they are recruiting and developing is proof of this. The work being done here would put a lot of local authorities to shame! Having had a week working in the system I feel immensely privileged to have been invited out here to be part of the project.

We also visited Pedro St James the oldest building on the island and learnt about its place in the islands story.

All in all a really interesting day.

Moving in

On Saturday we moved into our house. As I said a few days ago we found it on the internet and just went for it. A great call from Victoria, the house is huge! The house is a short walk from James and Poppy’s school and nicely placed for Victoria and I to get to work. A short walk away is Smith’s Cove and our beach. It has only been a week but we feel quite at home really! We have begun making new friends and contacts.

Lucky and Marcel arrived this week and settled straight in, none the worse from their stay in the UK or journey here. Its lovely having them with us and really helps complete the family unit!

This week our wi-fi was installed so we feel connected with wider world once more and can Skype or Face time once again. Remember the UK is six hours ahead of us so about 2pm is good on a Saturday or Sunday to talk.

I put my bike back together and have been out for a ride, a little warm but a great way to explore locally.

Chickens

They are everywhere! I love chickens so I don’t mind, the island has a huge feral / wild chicken population to compete with the iguanas. Both thrive and both are as tame as anything allowing you to get right up to them.  No need for an alarm clock we are as James’s Godfather John would no doubt say ‘up with the cock‘, I believe this is what his jolly old song refers to…

Work

Victoria and I have been undergoing our induction and getting ready for the start of term. Victoria is supporting two schools on Grand Cayman (K-man) and two on Cayman Brac or The Brac, so once a month she will be flying out there on the government plane!

I got into my school for the first time yesterday and met Miss Kathy my Executive Officer (school admin, secretary, PA etc) she really knows her stuff and is a huge resource.

I met my new Vice Principal Kimberly Litrico (also new to Prospect), a local Caymanian who trained at Rohampton she is really great, hugely capable and we clicked. She popped in for a cup of tea with her 4 year old daughter Naomi (who loved the cats!) and met Victoria and the kids. I think we are going to be a good team.

I also met Miss Bravo my Curriculum Coordinator another real star who talked us through the staff, the school and helped us find where everything was.

With these three ladies and what I am told about the rest of my team (who I meet Monday) I feel we are in a really strong position to develop the school and deliver for the Prospect community.

The school itself is lovely a bright and airy building, a really child friendly place. It is well resourced and kitted out in a way that makes UK schools seems like poor relations. The system here really values schools and education and it shows in the way they prioritise it. Take note UK!