Holy Cross Anglican Primary School

A team of specialists from the United States, part of the Belize Mission Project (BMP), provided free medical services in San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye, from January 20th to 24th. They were joined by local volunteers and specialists offering medical, audiology, and dental clinics.

What began as a pilot project at Holy Cross Anglican Primary School in the San Mateo subdivision of San Pedro Town has successfully culminated in the graduation of ten students from the San Pedro Institute of Culinary Education (SPICE). Graduation celebrations were held on Friday, December 14, and Saturday, December 15. This successful fifteen-week culinary program, developed in collaboration with the primary school and Gaynor's School, provided participants with professional culinary techniques.

After three years of growth and pandemic recovery, the San Pedro Christmas Collection changed its focus in 2023. It raised funds to provide sustainable resources to local children to enhance their education and livelihood. We aimed to raise $40,000 BZD by holding eight fundraisers at local venues from August to December. Funds were raised at these events through prize raffles, auctions, and participant entry fees.

On Thursday, February 22nd, the annual Bowen and Bowen Spelling Bee Belize District Zone Eliminations occurred at the Sagebrush Church Auditorium. The event saw the participation of several schools, including The Island Academy, Ambergris Caye Elementary School, Caye Caulker Roman Catholic, Holy Cross Anglican Primary School, Isla Bonita Elementary School, New Horizon Seventh Day Adventist, and San Pedro Roman Catholic Primary School. Out of all the participating students, three emerged as the top spellers. Valentina Caliz from Holy Cross Anglican School took the third position, followed by Ryan Sanchez from Isla Bonita Elementary School in the second place. Yadier Carillo secured the first position from the Caye Caulker Roman Catholic School.

On Monday, October 31st, over a dozen Holy Cross Anglican Primary School teachers in the San Mateo Subdivision walked out of their classes because the school’s management owes them salaries and hardship allowances.

Several school principals on the islands of Caye Caulker and Ambergris Caye received brand new school bags courtesy of the Area Representative Honourable Andre Perez. The announcement was made on Tuesday, September 6th, and the school bags will be distributed to students of low-income families.

On Wednesday, August 24th, an American couple and long-time visitors, Karen Eckenfels-Ferdinandi and Tommy Ferdinandi visited the Holy Cross Anglican Primary School in the San Mateo Subdivision where they presented a donation. Their assistance will benefit two students (male and female) with school bags, supplies, and financial support to pay their tuition for one year.

San Pedro's motorcade was part of a BNTU national movement, and teachers feel that their hard work in educating Belizeans is sometimes not recognized by the relevant authorities. They claim that the campaign's success will benefit them and all public officers in Belize, who could see a 10% cut in their salaries when GOB presents the upcoming budget for the fiscal year 2021-2022 on March 26th.