The Tribune

By FAY SIMMONS

Tribune Education Reporter

jsimmons@tribunemedia.net

ST ANNE’S School students are being encouraged to take a more active role in keeping their communities safe, with a proposed club set to introduce them to disaster preparedness, weather monitoring and hazard awareness.

The initiative was presented during the school’s Social Club Development Symposium for the 2026–2027 school year, where students explored extracurricular opportunities and learned about organisations they could join.

Cahya Smith, a Disaster Risk Management Authority-supported contestant in the Disaster Risk Reduction Youth Ambassador programme, used the event to launch her initiative for the proposed Disaster Risk Reduction Club.

The club would introduce students to weather monitoring, hazard identification and mitigation, extreme weather safety, fire and forest fire awareness, and disaster preparedness.

Through these activities, students would gain practical knowledge to help them recognise risks and make informed decisions during emergencies, while learning how they can promote safety in their homes, school and wider communities.

The symposium also featured the DRM Authority’s Disaster Risk Reduction Youth Ambassador, Gabryel Saunders, and members of the authority’s team, who joined students as they explored opportunities for involvement in school clubs and organisations.

Other options showcased at the event included entrepreneurship, medicine, culinary arts, environmental stewardship, community service, leadership, languages, public speaking and debate.

Among the organisations represented were the Student Christian Movement, Key Club, Eco School Club, Business Club, Chess Club, Royal Bahamas Defence Force Rangers, Medical Society, Culinary Club, Girl Guides, Economics Club and Speech and Debate Club.

The proposed Disaster Risk Reduction Club would give students another avenue to develop leadership skills while learning how preparedness and prevention can help protect lives and property.