Mrs. Islay Conolly MBE receives Lifetime Achievement Award in Education

Mrs. Islay Conolly, MBE - First recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award in Education

Many individuals have made significant accomplishments in the field of education in the Cayman Islands. As part of the Golden Apple Awards programme, the Chamber of Commerce and the Partners in Education introduced an annual award at the 2nd Annual Golden Apple Awards for Excellence in Teaching, which acknowledged an individual who’s influence has steered the course of education in the Cayman Islands.

Mrs. Islay Conolly, MBE was the first recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award for Education. The Chamber of Commerce, Partners in Education and award sponsor Maples and Calder selected Mrs. Conolly for the first award for many reasons, including the quality of her contributions to the improvement of education in the Cayman Islands, the significant and lasting impact she has made on the learning environment and the raised standards and improved educational environment that have resulted from her efforts.

Mrs. Conolly began her teaching career as headmistress at the Creek school in Cayman Brac in 1947. She then moved to become head of East End school in Grand Cayman, before being appointed Chief Education Officer in 1970. She led the department of education until her retirement in 1982. Her Majesty the Queen recognised her accomplishments in 1975 with an MBE. Amongst her many achievements, Mrs. Conolly is responsible for ground breaking developments in Cayman’s education, from a school for the deaf through to the introduction of the community college.

Maples and Calder the proud sponsor of this prestigious award, the Partners in Education and the Chamber of Commerce congratulate Mrs. Islay Conolly on receiving her award.