Support Public Schools Bermuda Kicks off its 6th Year Gifting $55,000 worth of School Supplies to Public Primary Schools
Hamilton, Bermuda – January 23rd , 2024
Support Public Schools, Bermuda (SPS.bm) is kicking off its 6th year facilitating the gifting of
over $55,000 worth of school supplies for all public primary schools to help enhance learning in
the classroom. Delivery days this year will be on January 23 rd and 24 th and again in June 2024.
This year SPS will be delivering to P3 and P6 classrooms at all 17 public primary schools in
addition to their art and PE teachers and librarians.
Since SPS was founded in 2018, more than $520,000 in new school supplies have been
purchased by SPS supporters for public school classrooms. In addition, hundreds of thousands of
dollars’ worth of second-hand office and school supplies, including computers and furniture,
have been donated to all public schools.
Generous repeat supporters this year include Butterfield, the Green Family, Butterfield & Vallis,
Deloitte, MS Reinsurance, Chubb, Enstar Ltd., KPMG, Mosaic, ABS, as well as other corporate
and individual contributions.
Additional good quality second-hand office and school supplies, including 50 PCs and monitors,
50 desks and cubicles, binders and paper, have generously been donated by various companies
including Fidelity, Appleby, Kennedy’s and the Freisenbruch Group.
This school year brings a slew of new supporters as the word about SPS.bm spreads, including
The Meritus Foundation who made an incredibly generous first-time purchase of $10,000. SPS
is elated to have been selected as a Meritus Foundation Fellow Award Winner for 2024. This
award recognizes community leaders who are helping People and Planet and demonstrating the
Foundation’s promoted values of passion, courage, humility, and empathy.
Michelle Wolfe, Chair & Family Counsel representing the Meritus Foundation said:
“As advocates for education and champions of Bermuda’s future, The Meritus
Foundation is delighted to contribute our purchase of $10,000 worth of school supplies
to benefit Support Public Schools. We firmly believe that by supporting education, we are
shaping a future where every child in Bermuda can thrive. This contribution is a
reflection of our dedication to making a positive impact on the lives of our next
generation.”
Butterfield has been SPS’ most avid supporter since inception, giving every year for 6 years. Mr.
Jody Feldman, Managing Director said:
“Butterfield has worked with the Support Public Schools team since its inception, and we
are proud to have done so once again this year. Investing in the future of our community,
and ensuring it thrives, is important to Butterfield. Our support and purchasing of
supplies is aimed at ensuring our teachers have everything they need to enrich the
learning experience of their students, and to empower Bermuda’s students to achieve
their aspirations. We encourage others – whether they are corporates or individuals – to
get involved if they are able to.”
SPS founder and main organizer Juliana Snelling said:
“Studies show that students who are equipped with good quality school supplies are
motivated and excited to learn, leading to improved grades, creativity, attitudes towards
learning, and positive behaviour. Having a creative classroom experience also promotes
greater confidence and the development of essential social skills. In short, having good
school supplies positively impacts the life of the student from the ground up, and directly
impacts their success. SPS wants to foster this success by giving our students the
instructional resources they need to reach their full learning potential.
On behalf of SPS and the public schools we benefit, I wish to express our huge
appreciation, first and foremost to our two biggest supporters this term, namely
Butterfield, who has given so generously every year since our inception (including
$10,000 this term), and The Meritus Foundation with their awesome purchase of $10,000
worth of supplies. We are also incredibly grateful for the participation of our past and
new supporters, whether you are a company renewing your pledge of $5,000 or one of
our individual supporters who took the time and initiative to spend $100 on glue sticks.
Without your belief and support in the importance of a quality education for our public
school students, this project would not get off the ground each year. Your support gives
us the spring in our step to continue on with our quest to enhance public school
education.”
The goal of SPS is to equip Bermuda’s public school students with the instructional resources
that they need to enhance learning in the classroom. Each year public school teachers provide
SPS with “wish lists” of what will improve their classroom experience. This year the items
included fidget chair bands, electric sharpeners, board games, STEM Kits, CDs for Listening
Centers, wobble cushions, noise cancelling headphones, geometry sets, laminators, sand timers
and more. Supporters can respond to the specific classroom need that inspires them. These items
are then made available for purchase at discounted prices by SPS’ two retail suppliers, AF Smith
Ltd. and Phoenix Group Ltd. The stores then deliver the supplies directly to the classrooms free
of charge on designated delivery days overseen by SPS.bm volunteers at least twice per year.
Principals, teachers, and students then send thank-you letters describing how the supplies are
helping to improve the classroom experience. Supporters can visit the website SPS.bm to read
moving letters from principals, teachers and pupils who attest to how the SPS supplies are being
put into amazing use. Harrington Sound Primary Principal Ms. Cindy Weeks expressed thanks
during SPS’ last round of deliveries, stating:
“The Harrington Sound Primacy School was absolutely delighted to once again have
received amazing supplies and additional donations. The teachers were also very grateful
and surprised. All will be put to great use in the classrooms and the students will have
great fun with the supplies and games that were provided. We always appreciate the
generosity of our community partners, and we are forever thankful for the vision of SPS.
From the HSPS family, we send a heartfelt ‘thank you’ for the kindness.”
Donations are welcomed throughout the year. Supporters can make online purchases on the
SPS.bm website with a credit card or make a bank transfer to AF Smith Ltd: BNTB A/C
20006060173876 100 (Memo ref: SPS SUP003). Alternatively, they can purchase supplies
themselves and drop them off to SPS at the address below. Second hand good quality office and
school supplies including computer equipment and furniture are also welcomed.
SPS.bm is proud to have been selected by The Bermudian Magazine as the 2019 winner of the
Public and Service Award in the category of Company Community Project.
To learn more, visit the website SPS.bm or email SPSteam@sps.bm or tel. 296-8444 at
Canterbury Law, a proud supporter of SPS.bm.\
Facebook.com/sps.bm
Instagram: @SPS.bm
Tel: (441) 296-8444
Email: SPSteam@sps.bm
Address: c/o Canterbury Law Limited, Third Floor, Swan Building, 26 Victoria Street, Hamilton
HM 12
SPS.bm is not a registered charity and does not solicit funds from the Government or
public sources. Supporters of the programme make direct purchases of supplies. SPS does
not receive or handle funds, enabling 100% of purchases to be spent on school supplies.