Latest news with #PSBP
Borneo Post
10-08-2025
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Puncak Borneo MP urges Sarawak cultural associations to unite
(From second right) Snowdan and Willie toast with a local band while mingling with attendees during the dinner event in Kuching. — Photo by Kentigern Minggu KUCHING (Aug 10): Puncak Borneo MP Datuk Willie Mongin has called on Sarawak's cultural associations to work together and support one another. Willie said such cooperation would strengthen unity among the state's diverse communities. 'All cultural associations in Sarawak must work together and help each other. There is no room for conflict, because ultimately, we will be the ones to suffer the consequences. 'Far-sighted individuals who share information and accept the need to collaborate are the hallmarks of successful communities and people,' he said when speaking at the Ngarom Bisamah 2025 dinner at the Dayak Bidayuh National Association (DBNA) multi-purpose hall here last night, organised by Persatuan Segu Bunuk Penrissen (PSBP). Willie emphasised the importance of sustaining association activities beyond their formative years. In that spirit, he urged associations like PSBP to assist smaller or less active cultural-based associations to ensure their objectives and continuity are preserved. 'I don't want to see our association display the 'hangat-hangat tahi ayam' spirit, where we are enthusiastic at the start, but that fades and eventually sinks over time. 'We must keep moving forward together and helping each other,' he said. Willie also reminded that various forms of assistance and facilities are available from both the Sarawak and federal governments for cultural associations such as PSBP. He cited the Sejati Madani programme, an initiative aimed at stimulating economic activities at the community level and increasing income by providing funds ranging from RM50,000 to RM100,000 to deserving communities. 'Don't just watch from the sidelines. Seize the opportunities available to help your community,' he added. Also present were Sarawak Deputy Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts, Datuk Snowdan Lawan, DBNA president Datu Ik Pahon Joyik, and other distinguished guests. cultural associations Willie Mongin
Borneo Post
10-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Borneo Post
Bidayuh elders urged to instil cultural identity in youth
Snowdan (third right) and Willie blow out the candles to mark PSBP's seventh anniversary in Kuching, joined by other guests. — Photo by Kentigern Minggu KUCHING (Aug 10): State Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Deputy Minister Datuk Snowdan Lawan has called on the Bidayuh community to instil their cultural identity in the younger generation to ensure its preservation. He stressed that it is the community elders' responsibility to safeguard and pass down their customs and traditions to future generations. 'Make sure that everything you do related to your customs, your tribe, and your history is preserved, and that these are shared with the younger generation. 'Sometimes the younger generation is too occupied with technology, mobile phones and the like, to the point they forget the diversity of ethnic groups we have,' he said. He was speaking during the Ngarom Bisamah 2025 dinner at the Dayak Bidayuh National Association (DBNA) multi-purpose hall here last night, organised by Persatuan Segu Bunuk Penrissen (PSBP). In line with this, he encouraged PSBP to apply for funding from his ministry to organise workshops, classes or programmes that promote the preservation of Bidayuh heritage and culture. 'Our ministry has several funds that you can apply for under my creative industry portfolio. 'If the association wishes to organise workshops or classes on traditional dances, handicrafts and the like, you can apply through the facilitation fund,' he said. Additionally, he encouraged the association to apply for event grants for any festival or celebration they wish to hold, adding that if the event is sustainable and held annually, it could be proposed for inclusion in the Sarawak tourism calendar. 'Once it is listed in the tourism calendar, it will automatically receive an annual allocation,' he said. In a show of support, he also pledged RM20,000 for the association's activities. Held in conjunction with PSBP's seventh anniversary, the event also saw three prominent individuals receiving the 'Bisegu Icon Award'. The recipients were Sarawak Skills senior manager (strategic engagement and consultancy) John Rizal Biki; Joeyees Trading Sdn Bhd founder Awaeang Kwasin; and local singer Roziena Ixzy Halix (Roxy Ixzy), who was also the 2024 Bintang RTM champion. Among those present were Puncak Borneo MP Datuk Willie Mongin and DBNA president Datu Ik Pahon Joyik.
BBC News
13-06-2025
- General
- BBC News
Prudhoe Community High School may reopen in September
A school which was closed due to safety concerns will reopen in the autumn term, its academy trust has Community High School in Northumberland was shut in February after cracks were found in the first floor of the building, which is less than 10 years then, pupils have been taught at Sunderland College's Washington Campus - 16 miles (25.7km) away from their Learning Trust's CEO Alice Witherow said "the best case scenario" could see pupils return by September, but warned parents the situation could drag out until Christmas. "The precise time frame is still emerging so we are planning for both possibilities," Ms Witherow said."As a relatively new school, the building is under warranty and the original builders, as part of their contract, have the right to repair the building under that warranty."Following investigations by different parties, the builders have given assurance that they have the capacity and workforce to undertake any remediations required. This means that the building can be reopened in the autumn term." 'Stress for families' The school was built in 2016 at a cost of £14.6m under the previous Conservative government's priority school building programme (PSBP).An investigation is under way into the damage but an exact cause has yet to be Witherow said the building's concrete and steel frame had "performed in a way that was not expected", which caused cracks to appear on the first school will only be reopened once Department for Education technical advisors deem the building safe, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Hexham MP Joe Morris said he had been inspired by school staff who had "worked at pace to minimise disruption to learning". "I also want to recognise the stress this has caused the families and carers of those studying at Prudhoe Community High School and, most of all, the hard work of the students," he said."Relocation while studying has caused immense stress to those students, and we should all recognise and celebrate their accomplishments." Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
BBC News
14-03-2025
- General
- BBC News
Prudhoe High school Pupils given new site 16 miles away
Pupils at a school which had to be shut due to cracks will now be taught about 16 miles (26km) away for the "foreseeable future", bosses have Community High School in Northumberland was shut on 17 February and pupils were initially told they would not be able to return until 3 the Cheviot Learning Trust then told parents the school would be closed for "six to nine months as a minimum" after the building - built nine years ago - was found to be has now said pupils will be taught at Sunderland College's Washington Campus, meaning pupils will have to take a 32-mile (52km) round trip each day. Trust chief executive Alice Witherow said the team was grateful to the college for "their collaboration and support in making this solution possible".She said the team had received "many messages of support" from parents and the wider community in recent weeks."[It] has been a real lift for all of us," she said, adding: "It is a real team effort and we are really grateful." The trust said the building in Washington would only be used by its school pupils and it would be for the "foreseeable future", the Local Democracy Reporting Service said the children would be bussed from Prudhoe to the college and back again each day, and that everyone would be "entitled to a space".Education Partnership North East, which Sunderland College is a part of, said it was committed to serving communities in the region. Neither body said when exactly pupils would start learning at the site. Students are currently being taught online. Prudhoe Community High School was built in 2016 at a cost of £14.6m under the previous Conservative government's priority school building programme (PSBP). Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
BBC News
10-03-2025
- General
- BBC News
Prudhoe High school: New site found for pupils of 'unsafe' school
A temporary site has been found for a school which had to be closed when cracks appeared on its upper floor. Prudhoe Community High School in Northumberland was shut on Monday 17 February, and pupils were told they would not be able to return until 3 the Cheviot Learning Trust then told parents the school would be closed for "six to nine months as a minimum" after the building - built nine years ago - was found to be unsafe. The trust said it would reveal the new site once the deal with its owners was complete. Trust chief executive Alice Witherow said: "I know that this is frustrating but the other party has asked us not to release information at this point."I am very hopeful, however, that this is a good interim solution."The school was built in 2016 at a cost of £14.6m under the previous Conservative government's priority school building programme (PSBP).The building has been deemed "unsafe" by engineers and "stringent" safety measures are in place to prevent are currently learning online from Tracey Gilmour said she was worried about the impact on her daughter, who is about to take her GCSEs. "Now they're home-schooling and not in front of the teachers so they're missing that crucial stage of the year when they really need to prepare for their exams," she said. In a statement, the trust said it continued to "explore the possibility of installing portable classrooms onsite as a longer-term option".But, it said, that was dependent on "ongoing structural investigations and advice from surveyors regarding land movement beneath the school building".Ms Witherow added: "Staff have told me they are really impressed with the resilience of the students and it is great to hear these positive stories."I would also like to express my heartfelt thanks to everyone who is making this possible."The support from parents, the local community, the Department for Education and Northumberland County Council has been invaluable." Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
