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Barracuda Bulletin: Week of October 2, 2026
Student Spotlight
This is kindergartener Matthew Robertson’s first year at GHS. He says he likes his teacher, Ms. G., and he enjoys show and tell.
“Matthew has easily made friends in his new school,” says Ms. G. “He’s kind and inclusive during recess games and makes sure everyone gets a chance to play.”
Matthew is also a thoughtful and helpful friend in the classroom, always willing to lend a hand. He loves science and observing the class’s tadpoles as they grow and change. He also enjoys working on handwriting and math.
Matthew has a great sense of humor and a positive attitude.
“Matthew’s classmates look at him as a good friend,” says Ms. G. “He displays leadership qualities when leading the games he and his classmates play, and he likes to play fairly.”
Matthew says PE is his favorite special. He particularly enjoys navigating the obstacle course. Outside of school, Matthew plays soccer with Castaways. In his free time, he enjoys going to the beach with his family, playing with friends, and playing with his cat Nacho.
Upcoming Events
COMING UP NEXT
Oct. 6: Barracuda Boosters Parent Association meeting
Oct. 7: In-school PSAT (11th grade) and
SAT (12th grade)
Oct. 12: Parent conferences; school closed to students
Oct. 19-23: STEAM Week
Oct. 21: Lower Campus October birthday assembly
Oct. 23: Farm to Table dinner / Upper Campus theater production
Oct. 30: Lower Campus Halloween parade & craft fair
Nov. 6: Middle school fall dance
BARRACUDA BOOSTERS PARENT ASSOCIATION MEETING OCTOBER 6
All GHS parents and guardians are invited to the first Barracuda Boosters Parent Association meeting of the 2026-2027 school year on Tuesday, October 6, from 8:30-9:30 a.m. at the Upper Campus. Please contact barracudaboosters@giffthillschool.org with questions.
TRICK OR TROT RACE OCTOBER 25
Children ages 3-13 are invited to participate in GHS's second annual Trick or Trot event on October 25 at 7:00 a.m. in Fish Bay. Click here to see more details and to register.
GHS Highlights
NHS INDUCTION
Congratulations to our NHS inductees, who have each earned a cumulative GPA of 3.4, and have met or exceeded the requirement of contributing 25 hours of community service for each year of high school. We celebrated these students with an induction ceremony Thursday morning. Thank you to the family, friends, and supporters who joined us!
ST. JOHN RESCUE T-SHIRT DESIGN WINNERS
Kudos to Jahmal Clendinen, '33, and Catalina Kinsella, '32, for their winning designs in the St. John Rescue t-shirt design contest! The winners were announced during an assembly on Thursday afternoon, when Jahmal and Catalina were presented with shirts featuring their winning designs.
Sports Central
KUDOS TO OUR VOLLEYBALL TEAMS!
Congratulations to our varsity boys and middle school girls volleyball teams for great games this week! Our middle school girls displayed great teamwork against VIMSPGIA, as well as great leadership from team captain Tianna Jn. Baptiste, and our varsity boys won after four sets against Antilles with strong jump serves by Jayson Richards and strong defense by Armani Pickering. Go, 'Cudas!
KUDOS TO OUR FLAG FOOTBALL TEAM!
Congratulations to our flag football team for playing hard against Antilles this week! Kudos to Aliaune Samuel and Nevawn Brathwaite for scoring touchdowns.
CROSS COUNTRY MEET THIS WEEK
Our cross country team has a regular season meet in the coming week. Everyone is welcome to come out and cheer on our student athletes. Go, Barracudas!
Thursday, October 8, 3:30 p.m. - IEKHS track
FLAG FOOTBALL GAMES THIS WEEK
Our flag football team has a regular season meet in the coming week. Home games are denoted with asterisks. Everyone is welcome to come out and cheer on our student athletes. Go, Barracudas!
Saturday, October 3, 12:30 p.m. - GHS vs. BCB at TBD
Wednesday, October 7, 4:00 p.m. - GHS vs. BCB at IEKHS
Thursday, October 8, 4:00 p.m. - GHS vs. JESS at Trayser Field
VOLLEYBALL GAMES THIS WEEK
Our varsity volleyball teams have regular season games in the coming week. Everyone is welcome to come out and cheer on our student athletes. Go, Barracudas!
Varsity Girls
Friday, October 2, 4:00 p.m. - GHS vs. VIMSPGIA at Antilles
Friday, October 2, 7:00 p.m. - GHS vs. CAHS at Antilles
Saturday, October 3, 2:00 p.m. - GHS vs. GHCD at Antilles
Varsity Boys
Friday, October 2, 5:00 p.m. - GHS vs. Central at Antilles
Friday, October 2, 7:00 p.m. - GHS vs. Antilles White at Antilles
Saturday, October 3, 2:00 p.m. - GHS vs. CAHS at Antilles
Dates to Remember
See below for important dates to remember over the next two months. View the full school year calendar by clicking here.
Community Corner: News You Can Use
FREE YOGA SESSIONS AT JOHNNY LIME THIS SATURDAY
Coral Bay Community Council will host a free yoga session this Saturday at Johnny Lime. There will be two sessions: one for adults with Monika Aranha from 9:00-10:00 a.m. and one for kids and teens with Corey Thomas of Love City Yoga from 10:15-11:00 a.m. See flyer below for more details.
SENATOR AT LARGE DEBATE WATCH PARTY OCTOBER 15
The St. John Social Action Team, an affiliate of the Unitaritan Universalist Fellowship, will host a watch party for the Senator at Large Debate on October 15 at 8:00 p.m. in the GHS Lower Campus Great Room.
KATS TO BEGIN OCTOBER 17
KATS St. John, a nonprofit organization that teaches sailing, marine safety, and seamanship skills to St. John children between the ages of 8 to 18, will begin its first session of the 2026-2027 season on October 17. Those participating should meet to the right of the Coral Bay dinghy dock on Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Tuition is $150 with sponsorships available. Click here to enroll. Contact info@katsvi.com for more information.
TRUNK OR TREAT OCTOBER 30
Trunk or Treat will take place at the Cruz Bay gravel lot on October 30 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Children must be accompanied by an adult and should bring their own treat bag. To add your car to the lineup, contact dana.neil@yahoo.com.
FALL FESTIVAL OCTOBER 31
The Family Readiness Group will present a fall festival on October 31 from 4:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the Leonard B. Francis Armory on St. Thomas. There will be candy stations, treats, games, music, and more. There is a $5 entry fee.
PATHWAY TO PURPOSE YOUTH FINANCE SUMMIT NOVEMBER 7
Students in grades 8-12 are invited to take part in the Aliyah Boston Foundation and Parach Resource Management's Pathway to Purpose Youth Finance Summit on November 7 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. at the University of the Virgin Islands Sports & Fitness Center on St. Thomas.
This free, one-day event is designed to help students build real-world money skills through games, activities, and hands-on simulations. Students will also enjoy an interactive lunch with Aliyah Boston, St. Thomas native and forward for the Indiana Fever. See flyer below for more details. Registration closes October 16.
FALL FEST NOVEMBER 14
The Pelican Post will host a fall fest on November 14 from noon to 7:00 p.m. at the Cruz Bay courtyard on St. John. For more information, contact 340-693-4535 or thepelicanpostvi@gmail.com.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY WITH ACC
The Animal Care Center of St. John is looking for volunteers for its spay/neuter event November 7 and 8 at Our Place in Coral Bay. Tasks would include carrying trapped cats from the staging area to the surgery prep area and monitoring cats as they wake up from anesthesia. The ACC is seeking three volunteers for each day. To indicate your interest, contact 340-774-1625 or info@stjacc.org.
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