Celebrating Our 2024 Apprentice Program: A Journey of Growth and Leadership

At The Island School, we believe in fostering the growth and development of young minds through comprehensive educational programs that extend beyond traditional classroom settings. Our Apprentice Program is a shining example of this commitment, and this year, we are proud to welcome eight outstanding apprentices to our team. These young individuals embody the depth and reach of The Island School’s programming, having been nurtured through various stages of their educational journey with us.

New beginnings, big smiles, and a team ready to learn and grow! Apprentice Cohort Summer 2024. Pictured left to right (back row)- Coefield Sweeting, Roshawn Thompson and Jacob Carey, left to right (front row)- Carleeyah Young, J. Olivia Rolle, Chaela Dupuch, Heaven Thompson and Tyreka Smith. Photo © The Island School

A Journey Through The Island School

Our apprentices hail from South Eleuthera and have been a part of the The Island School family for many years, starting from their early education at Deep Creek Primary School (DCPS) and continuing through Deep Creek Middle School (DCMS). The journey does not stop there; many of our apprentices have also participated in our After School Program in partnership with DCPS, as well as our Young Leadership Program (YLP) and Young Men’s Leadership Program (YMLP). This year, we are proud to announce that:

5 apprentices are alumni of Deep Creek Primary School (DCPS) where they participated in our collaborative After School Program with DCPS
5 apprentices continued their education at Deep Creek Middle School (DCMS)
5 apprentices participated in our collaborative After School Program with DCPS
6 apprentices are alumni of our Young Leadership Program
1 apprentice is a graduate of our flagship Young Men’s Leadership Program (YMLP)

Highlighting Our 2024 Apprentices

Our 2024 cohort of apprentices brings a diverse range of interests and aspirations, each contributing uniquely to the The Island School community:

Heaven Thompson from Wemyss Bight, will be working in the Wellness Center, bringing her passion for psychology and a desire to learn from experienced counselors. Photo © The Island School

Tyreka Smith from Deep Creek, joins the Wellness Center to deepen her understanding of the medical field and explore her interests in teaching and culinary arts. Photo © The Island School

Chaela Dupuch from Deep Creek, a homeschooler, is excited to improve her photography and videography skills in the Communications Department. Photo © The Island School

J. Olivia Rolle from Deep Creek, will be an apprentice in the Woodshed Department, looking forward to new experiences and challenges. Photo © The Island School

Roshawn Thompson from Deep Creek, is eager to enhance his skills in mechanics, aiming for a successful future career. Photo © The Island School

Carleeyah Young from Tarpum Bay, an 11th-grade student, will gain valuable work experience in the Facilities Department. Photo © The Island School

Cofield Sweeting from Deep Creek, is enthusiastic about learning boat mechanics and SCUBA in the Boathouse. Photo © The Island School

The Apprentice Program: Building on a Strong Foundation

The Apprentice Program is designed to provide hands-on experience and mentorship to young Bahamian adults, preparing them for future careers and leadership roles. Our apprentices work closely with experienced professionals, gaining invaluable insights and practical skills in various fields. This year, we are excited to see how our apprentices will leverage the strong foundation they have built through their years at The Island School.

Martino Francis demonstrates how to use a Skilsaw. Pictured left to right Roshawn Thompson (apprentice), J. Olivia Rolle (apprentice), Martino Francis (Senior Carpenter), Clinto Rolle (Waste Technician). Photo © The Island School

Looking ahead

As we celebrate the achievements of our apprentices, we are reminded of the importance of nurturing talent from a young age. The success stories of our apprentices reflect the effectiveness of The Island School’s holistic approach to place-based education, which emphasises environmental excellence, personal growth, and leadership development.

We are incredibly proud of our apprentices and look forward to seeing the remarkable impact they will undoubtedly make in their communities and beyond. Their journey is just beginning, and we are honoured to be a part of it.

Join us in celebrating our apprentices

We invite you to join us in celebrating the accomplishments of our apprentices and the transformative power of education at The Island School. Together, we are shaping the leaders of tomorrow, one student at a time.

For more information about our programs and how you can get involved or support, please visit our website or contact us directly. Let’s continue to support and inspire the next generation of Bahamian leaders.