by Caciques Marco and Caroline V.

As we entered the water at current cut, a beautiful red sun peeked over the horizon in the distance.  The sun watched us, rising higher in the sky as we swam with the current twice, and against the current once.  The sun probably thought we were crazy; it was 6:45 am and we were not only swimming, but practically swimming in place because of the powerful water rushing against us.  As we struggled, we looked across to see someone swimming with no problem at all, passing us all with ease.  Of course, it was Chris Maxey. Continue reading →

by Caciques Emma and Nathan

Today was a Wednesday; everyone enjoyed their break from run/swim track and their sleep-in until eight. After breakfast both caciques went to Human Ecology class, where we saw a film that expressed the lives and struggles of an Eleutheran farmer. After we were debriefed and assigned certain areas to evaluate and investigate, we headed to meet Farmer Symonette and his livestock and plants.  Our first stop was to the goatherds, many of which had just been born a few weeks prior. As we gathered in the goat house we asked questions pertaining to everyday life on the farm and the struggles Symonette faces with the soil, rainfall and financial hardships. Continue reading →

by Caciques Eliza and Nic E.

By the time exploration time rolled around I was exhausted.  After research class, although it was interesting, I was pooped (pun intended… I’m in the biodigestion research group).  It was very tempting to crawl into my top bunk, and even though it would have been a hike I could have slept for almost 2 hours and there was nothing more I wanted to do.  I entered our dorm and along with the usual music being blasted, there were of course a few girls lounging and resting but also a group preparing for some kind of expedition.  I was invited along to explore the Inner Loop; just simply explore maybe get lost or find something new.  Our only intention was to leave campus and take advantage of this free time.  The duty faculty were impressed that we weren’t just heading to the Marina store.  As we started off towards the tamarind tree on our bikes, Continue reading →

By Caciques Emily and Adam

Exactly one month ago, a group of friendly strangers sat on the thick wood benches of the boat house, their shoulders touching each other’s in an awkward fashion. The sky was almost black and the only sound was of a pen on paper. The sound of uncomfortable thoughts, pouring into an open book.

Once again, we met in the boathouse 4 weeks later, our pens moving slowly across the thin white paper of our place-books. But this time, we weren’t writing about how awkward we felt around each other. We were writing about why we were there.  We were writing about the new friends we’d made. The 4 and 1/2 mile runs we unwilling completed. The sense of place we were seeking to find. The people on the benches were the same, but their was one thing that was different. We had formed a community. Continue reading →

“Ah The Sleep-In” – A Cacique Update Poem by Evan and Ami

Long anticipated

We lift up our heads and roll over

Far from our minds is harkness

Waking instead from dreams of our Island School dog, Rover. (Sorry Lucky, it rhymed better)

Instead of darkness

We arise to sun, less caution to use as we walk down the stairs

Those who have forgotten to turn off their 6 am alarms are shunned…

(Sleep-ins are no joking matter)

For a few hours at least

Until we must all face each other

Standing hands at our sides

We proudly sing with one another (Slightly off key) Continue reading →

By Caciques Jessica and Brett

At the beginning of the first academic week we all ran two miles to high rock and symbolically jumped into the semester.  It was a difficult run for many, and also a challenge jumping off the cliff.  Today we ran there for the second time.  After only two weeks a lot of improvement has been made.  We could see that it wasn’t as difficult to run two miles as it had been for some when we did it before.  As we made it to high rock the sun was just rising.  We lined up to jump in.  Those who were nervous the first time, were confident today.  The people here for the education conference did morning exercise with us.  Some of them were nervous about jumping, like we had been just weeks ago, but the students modeled that our fears can be overcome. Continue reading →

“How to Affect Positive Change”

By Caciques Aldis and Katie J.

This afternoon, we all had the opportunity to lean from the wide variety of guests assembled on our campus. Island School students mingled with university professors, while Deep Creek Middle School conversed casually with the United States Ambassador to The Bahamas. Our campus became a slightly chaotic home to an Leadership in Education Conference. Directly after lunch, we all met in the boathouse where Chris Maxey set the tone for the next few days. Each and every one of us had made a conscious effort to be here in order to learn from advocates, teachers, and students of all kinds reaching towards the common goal of sustainability and student empowerment. Continue reading →

Editor’s note: My apologies.  Occasionally blogs slip through the radar and a missing blog update goes unnoticed, for days, maybe even weeks.  So, I bring you this better-late-than-never Cacique Update from March 11th. Enjoy.

by Caciques Austin and Izza

The Island School Community was reunited again today after a three day separation while half the students were on their Kayak trip.   Their return to campus was full of excitement and anticipation, as their three day absence seemed to last a week.  Many came back calling Island School home, while the students that remained on campus welcomed them back as family. Continue reading →

“Our Potential”

By Caciques Nick M and Hannah J

The ability to accept others can truly test just how well a community has grown together. As our small population grows into a larger foundation, we understand how to accept people into our way of life. Our horizons have been widened as we experience the dedication to The Island School cause that exists outside our small community. Talking to Kearney, an Island School alumnae from Lawrenceville (S.10), about how she has translated her Island School education into her daily and academic life at home, our perspective of the numerous applications of our ideas from The Island School made us realize our potential. With the arrival of new faces and ideas for the Educational Leadership Conference this weekend, Continue reading →

“Above and Below Water”

by Cacques Ellie Cutchin and Jack Kempner

With Peter leading the way, my Marine Ecology class cautiously entered a tunnel that lead from one side of the large patch reef, Cathedral Rock, to the other. I was amazed at all of the unique organisms that were tucked away within the cracks. There were red squirrelfish with their gaping eyes, delicate purple and yellow fairy basslets, and dark, living coral all around. I loved seeing how, around the outside of the tunnel, there were fish swimming freely everywhere, while the ones in the tunnel were tucked away in little pockets of the coral. The immense beauty of where I entered caused me to forget about the claustrophobic thoughts of the encompassing rock, and explore the new perspective. As I flipped over face-up, I was astonished to see the bubbles from my own air float up and form into silvery film, trapped above me on the rock. Continue reading →