It was a red and white affair that really glowed at St George’s Anglican Church Hall last Thursday (11) to close the 2014/15 PIN programme that was attended by Cayman Islands Premier Alden McLaughlin who has supported PIN almost since its inception 14 years ago.

PIN stands for Positive Intervention Now and is an afterschool intervention programme for Year 6 students from George Town Primary, which is in the catchment area of St George’s Anglican Church that spearheads the initiative. Students are identified for the programme by the school’s principal and counsellor for intervention. Students receive attention, instruction, guidance and positive reinforcement to help them gain the skills, knowledge and motivation they need to fulfil their potential.

The programme runs three afternoons per week at St. George’s. During the sessions, volunteers from the church, businesses and community work with students in areas ranging from academics to the arts, etiquette and spiritual and character development.

Mistress of Ceremonies was Sharon Marshall who introduced the various speakers and presenters of awards that included the Premier, Anita Cornish (Senior Policy Advisor & Manager of Education, Employment & Gender Affairs, Marie Martin (Principal George Town Primary School), Keynote Speaker Jacqueline Haynes (Board of Directors, Big Brothers Big Sisters CI) Pat Bynoe-Clark, Rev. Mary Graham Desmond Graham and representatives from the various sponsors. One sponsor, PricewaterhouseCoopers also provided 15 volunteer support staff.

The students performed with song, dance and recitation.

PIN relies on the business community for its support and the students receive a full meal before the work study begins. Various church groups supply most of this but one day a week it is the premier’s turn and in the early days he used to be the chief cook. Although he still provides one meal a week someone else does the cooking.

It was noted by one of the speakers that out of 250 churches on Grand Cayman only ten provide an after schools programme similar to PIN.

Speaking to me during the after event reception Ms Martin, who announced her retirement as GT Primary School’s Principal, said the biggest problem we have is not with the children but with the parents. She said there were many examples of out of work fathers who sit watching the television all day and still own a car but rely on the school to pick up their children.

The aim of Pin is to help the children discover new interests by exposing them to a variety of areas including social, cultural, historical, environmental and technical.

Parents also commit to participate in parenting sessions aimed at further enhancing parental skills and support.

The goal is to help children successfully transition from primary to middle school.

Congratulations to all the students who performed well throughout the year.

The next PIN programme begins in October. Those who would like to volunteer or make donations can call 926-1511 or 916-8522 or email [email protected]