The Remington Group commenced our 2022 On-the-Job Training Programme (OJT) last week. Each year, in partnership with a technical institute, we take students into our businesses for on-the-job training to help them improve their skills and gain experience in the workforce. The first batch of nine students for 2022 came to us from the Port Moresby Technical College, who we have partnered with to assist mentor their students throughout their training. The Remington Group, in partnership with Port Moresby Technical School, is providing this opportunity to students to assist them practice what they learn in class, and to enhance their skills with appropriate hands-on experience in the workplace. Our OJT Programme is designed to equip students with the necessary skills, knowledge and attitude required to help them apply their field of study in a working environment. “The Remington Group is well known as being committed to helping Papua New Guineans learn real working skills, the kind of skills that will assist them find jobs when they leave their school or technical college. This is how we give back to the communities in which we operate. One hundred percent PNG owned, Remington is a household name in Papua New Guinea, we’ve been around in one form or another since 1948, and we’re here to stay”, Peter Goodwin, Remington Group CEO. The nine students have been assigned to work in the several different business units under the Remington Group umbrella, over the next eight weeks. The four Printing & Graphic Arts students; Manasseh Kupa, Annette Naime, Clifford Luiya and Rebecca Luswa will be assigned to work at BizPrint & Scan. Three Maintenance Fitting & Machining students; Hapia Diwi, Gavin Gandari and Skate Apamumu will be working closely with our Facilities Team, while the two Electronics students; Chervis Hau and McNeil Clivson will be working alongside Remington Technology Service Technicians. The Remington Group is fully committed to training young Papua New Guineans and to developing a knowledgeable national workforce. W e challenge our first OJT batch for 2022 to learn as much as they can, and ask as many questions as they can in the next eight weeks.

346 Grade 12 students from Gordons Secondary school in NCD joined thousands nationwide who are currently sitting for their Written Expression Exam. The Exam started late due to traffic issues around the Waigani Area that forced some students around the Waigani/Morata area to walk to school this morning. Deputy Principal-Academic, Mr Saju Francis said the Students had 3 weeks to read their booklets and prepare for the Exam so he is confident they will do well. He added that the Education Department made the right call to defer the Written Expression Exam and give time for the election related unrests to settle down so students can feel free to come to school for the exam today.

Uruguay men and Japan women earned core status on the HSBS World Rugby Sevens Series 2023 after they each emerged triumphant from the World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series 2022. Following three days of energy-sapping action in Santiago, Chile, Japan dug deep to turn in an impressive performance in the women’s final, beating European champions Poland 17-0. “Finally, we’ve done it! It’s been a really long time,” Sakura Sevens forward Chiharu Nakamura, who scored her side’s opening try against Poland, said after the final whistle. In the men’s final, Georgia ultimately paid the price for first-half indiscipline as Uruguay scored three tries to win 19-5, securing the 2022 Challenger Series title and with it, their place on the 2023 Series. WOMEN’S RECAP In the opening women’s semi-final in Santiago, Poland found themselves 10-0 down at half-time as China twice crossed the whitewash through Hong Ting Ruan and Xu Xiaoyan. Malgorzata Koldej started the comeback within a minute of the restart, however, before tries from Katarzyna Paszczyk and Anna Klichowska gave the Rugby Europe Women’s Sevens Championship 2022 winners a seven-point lead. Koldej then added her second try of the match, and 11th of the tournament, to give Poland a two-score advantage. Zhou Yan crossed for China before the end, but it came too late to prevent a 22-15 defeat. Japan made sure of their place in the women’s final by beating Kenya by the same score, but the Lionesses ensured the Sakura Sevens had to work hard for victory. The Sakura Sevens led 17-5 at half-time before Kenya narrowed the deficit to just two points as Laurine Otieno and Janet Okello, for the second time in the match, crossed the whitewash. It set up a tense finish in Santiago, however, Wakaba Hara had the final say, touching down her hat-trick try to send Japan to set up a final showdown with Poland. Japan again started quickly in the final as Nakamura went over in the second minute, after Koldej had done brilliantly to haul Hara down before the line. The Sakura Sevens were then forced to soak up a period of Polish pressure before a stunning Mei Otani break led to a try for Yume Hirano on the stroke of half-time. Poland had been here before, in the semi-final, of course but in the final Japan stood firm and another brilliant try, this time scored by Michiyo Suda, put the stamp on a 17-0 win, the title and their place on the 2023 Series. Meanwhile, China recovered from their semi-final disappointment to exact revenge on Kenya, who beat them on Friday, defeating the Lionesses 31-5 in the bronze final. Tries from Yan Melling, Sun Yue and Gu Yaoyao put the Chinese 19-0 up at the break and they wrapped up third place with second-half scores from Wang Xiao and another for Yue. Earlier on Sunday, Kazakhstan beat Belgium 17-5 to take fifth place, Argentina edged Colombia 17-12 for seventh, South Africa ended the weekend with a 29-10 defeat of Chile in the ninth-place play-off and Papua New Guinea won 29-12 against Mexico to claim 11th. MEN’S RECAP Hosts Chile could not have hoped for a better start to their men’s semi-final against Georgia, as Joaquin Huici touched down within two minutes of kick-off, and Vicente Tredinick converted. Georgia, though, hit back through Teimuraz Kokhodze and after Alfonso Escobar was shown a yellow card, Miriani Modebadze went over twice in quick succession for the Lelos. Tredinick converted Lucas Westcott’s 10th-minute try to cut Chile’s arrears to five points with four minutes left but that was as close as it got. Kokhodze scored his second try of the match before a late Lasha Lomidze score confirmed a 31-14 win for Georgia. Uruguay at least ensured there would be South American representation in the men’s final at Estadio Santa Laura, though, as they held off a second-half comeback to beat Germany 19-15. When Diego Ardao crossed the whitewash in the first minute of the second half, Uruguay held a 19-5 lead and looked to be comfortable. Germany had beaten Uruguay in the pool stage and responded through Ben Ellermann and Chris Umeh but neither try was converted, which enabled the South Americans hold on for the win that put them within 14 minutes of core status. Neither of the men’s finalists had previously been a core Series team but it was Uruguay who appeared to cope better with the pressure of the showpiece match. Georgia were twice reduced to six players in the first half, both for not retreating 10, and Los Teros took advantage on each occasion, scoring through Felipe Etcheverry and Bautista Basso. Basso was himself shown a yellow card on the stroke of half-time and Georgia found a way back into the contest at the start of the second as Giorgi Tchuadze touched down within a minute of the restart. However, that was as close as they got to Uruguay, who only made it out of Pool C as one of the best third-placed finishers and confirmed their place on the 2023 Series when Valentin Grille scored late on. Despite defeat in the men’s semi-finals, the home crowd had something to celebrate on Sunday night when Chile overcame Germany 14-12 in the bronze final. In what was a tight and bruising encounter, the Chilean defence held off some late pressure to finish the tournament on a high, converted tries in either half from Ernesto Tchimino and Diego Warnken ultimately enough to seal third place. Earlier on Sunday, Hong Kong wrapped up fifth place with a 12-7 defeat of Uganda, Tonga edged Zimbabwe 28-26 for seventh, Lithuania beat Jamaica 34-15 to take ninth and Papua New Guinea finished 11th following a 40-19 win against Korea.   Source: www.world.rugby

Prime Minister Hon. James Marape says he is not in a rush to make ministerial appointments after he was elected by an overwhelming 97-0 in Parliament last Tuesday (August 9 2022). He said this yesterday (Sunday, August 14, 2022) when giving an update on ministerial appointments. “We are not in a rush to make Cabinet appointments,” PM Marape said. “I want to first see who in our current Coalition are able persons to be entrusted with portfolios. “We want to ensure that whilst we satisfy our political obligations to all Coalition partners, the best persons must be appointed to various portfolios. “ Also, as we review individual department and agency performances of the last three years, we want to also look at heads of departments and agencies so that we appoint experienced and capable people. “This is so that we hit the ground running so that we achieve the outcomes we desire.” PM Marape said one of the most-striking things about Papua New Guinea was that the Human Development Index (HDI) had not improved over the last 10 years. “We want to arrest this decline and post a good HDI,” he said. “Vision 2025 talks about us being in the mid income-earning nations at the earliest, and in fact, at the end of the Vision 2050 timeline it talks about us being in the Top 50 nations. “That’s a good goal and aspiration, consistent with my view on becoming the ‘Richest Black Christian Nation’ – a statement which equates to not just money, but about our people being happy and satisfied with life in their own country, blessed with an abundance of God-given resources." Christianity is about all our national character, which must be refined towards Christian values and beliefs, tolerance, love, care, forgiveness, no hatred, to name a few.”

For the past nine years the NRL has been working alongside some of Australia’s top mental health experts to provide a range of workshops and resources, and using some of the game’s biggest stars to help deliver them to rugby league communities across the country, through the NRL State of Mind program. Mental illness is Australia’s single biggest health issue, impacting almost one in two people, and through the mantra of “In footy and in life, be there for an offload”, the program promotes the fact that, just like an offload can change a game of rugby league, a conversation change a day or even a life when it comes to mental health. The organisations have formed two key programs aimed at achieving positive outcomes in the area, with the State of Mind Grassroots program (18+), which is facilitated by current and retired NRL and NRLW players, using rugby league language to convey positive mental health and wellbeing messages. The four-step process is targeted towards senior players, club administrators, coaches and managers of grassroots rugby league clubs and includes a 90-minute workshop involving on and off field activities to provide the participant with the knowledge and confidence to provide support to a person experiencing mental health problems. State of Mind Get in the GAAME (13-17) are youth focused 90-minute standalone workshops, again delivered using rugby league language, with on and off field activities designed to help participants understand the importance of good mental health and recognize it is an area they can have an impact on. With the support of the NSW Government, the NRL State of Mind program reaches out into regional NSW, while the Australian Government provides assistance in supporting Indigenous mental health, connected with the annual NRL All Stars. Among the stars behind the campaign are Indigenous legend Preston Campbell, Rabbitohs winger Josh Mansour and former NRL players Joel Thompson and Clinton Toopi. Source: NRL.com

Prime Minister James Marape hits the ground running in the frontier-breaking clean green energy projects he has been championing over the last two years when he met with leaders of Fortescue Future Industries (FFI) in Singapore yesterday to progress the talks further. He said from Singapore FFI has voiced its intention to partner Papua New Guinea in a big way to harvest clean green energy from both hydro and geothermal sources as well as move later down the line into solar and wind energy production. Currently, FFI has identified and set up project sites in Gulf Province for hydro and West New Britain Province for geothermal work and has been working in these areas since the signing of two important agreements since 2021. Prime Minister said from Singapore today: “With global consciousness of fossil fuel-induced global warming, clean green energy is the way to move into the future and this meeting follows on the Head Agreement PNG has signed with FFI to progress investment in this energy sector.” The Prime Minister flew into Singapore to continue these important trade & investment conversations including those on Papua LNG, Pasca LNG, Pn’yang LNG and also to get Porgera and Wafi-Golpu sanctioned. The Prime Minister also visited the PNG High Commission in Singapore with a view to strengthen it further as a trade and investment office while getting the PNG government to increase trade and investment with the ASEAN and APEC countries. He said: “The Singapore office will be given more support in that context in partnership with Investment Promotion Authority, the Kumul companies, National Fisheries and Forestry authorities, and our Agriculture & Livestock departments so that it coordinates export and trade into the lucrative Asian market of over 2 billion people who need food and energy, and products PNG can mass produce into the future as we are planning under my government.”

Secretary for the Department of Prime Minister and National Executive Council has called a meeting today for Bureaucracy Heads to align their work together to meet the goals of the the Government. More than 60 people, consisting of Heads of Departments, Statutory Bodies, Constitutional Offices and State-owned Enterprises showed up to attend the meeting held at the APEC Haus, Port Moresby. Mr. Pomaleu told everyone present that in his inaugural speech, the Prime Minister has challenged the Public Service to do better and warned that staff who do not perform maybe asked to leave the public service. "I would like to take the time given to me to sensitize everyone of us as to the expectations that is before us," Secretary Pomaleu said. “The government takes its mandate seriously especially if it came from the people. And to have had overwhelming support from the floor means that the government wants to make sure that its actions from hereon has significant impact for its people.” He said everyone would have seen those expectations that were put out in a press statement by the Prime Minister. Mr. Pomaleu said for the meeting, there are several areas that will be looked at and that is the performance of all government organizations, which the Prime Minister made some strong remarks about in his recent press statement. He added that the Prime Minister has also made a request for a progress report from each organization that he wants submitted to his office by Tuesday next week. Mr. Pomaleu also proposed for the Central Agencies Coordination Committee (CACC) to take up their role to plan and truly coordinate sectoral approaches for all Agencies to work together in achieving the goals of the current Government.

Prime Minister Hon. James Marape says his Government will do its “utmost best” for the people of Papua New Guinea. He said this today (Sunday, August 14, 2022) as he goes through the process of selecting ministers and laying the groundwork for the next five years. “On August 30, 2022, when Parliament resumes, the Governor-General will be addressing MPs,” PM Marape said. “Our full Cabinet will be in place by then and I will make a response to the Governor-General and the country as to what exactly we will be doing and some Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) that will hold the Government accountable.” PM Marape said his Inaugural Statement to Parliament on Tuesday, August 9, was a general one that covered the thoughts and intentions of Government. “When I make a response to the Governor-General’s statement on August 30, 2022, it will be more detailed and will indicate what we will do in different sectors like Health, Education, Law-and-Order, Infrastructure and Economy,” he said. "These were the bases on which Pangu Pati received overwhelming support nationwide, since we reclaimed Government in 2019. "We will not let our people down since they shared these aspirations when they voted for Pangu. “We have committed to a better Papua New Guinea through strategic interventions in these key sectors, which are vital for our country to grow. “We want to better our Law-and-Order environment, Infrastructure, Economy, Health and Education. “We will expand on these five focus areas into an exact plan on what we will do.” PM Marape urged all Papua New Guineans to be positive about the future of the country. “We are a continuing Government and know exactly what to do for our country over the next five years,” he said. “The next five years are fundamentally important as we work towards our 50 years of nationhood in 2025. “We want to steer our country in a better direction guided by our core principles and values like ‘Take Back PNG’, ‘Richest Black Christian Nation’, and ‘Leaving No Place and No-one Behind’. "These are very much congruent to the Vision 2050 intentions and clarity on what these mean, and our national outcomes will be augmented in the next sitting of Parliament. “The country can rest assured that we know exactly what we are doing, and that we want our country to be a better place. “By the time we hop out of this decade, into the 2030s, we must be well on our way to the better destination that we have created in the 2020s.”

Fourteen government officers and one research officer will travel to Japan in September to pursue their post graduate studies at seven Japanese universities. JICA Papua New Guinea office will conduct a pre departure briefing at JICA PNG Office on Tuesday, 16th August to prepare these scholars for their travel. These 15 Papua New Guineans successfully passed all JICA and university screening processes to be selected for a JICA scholarship. Amongst the 15 scholars, 3 participants from the Mineral Resources Authority were successful for their Masters and PhD studies under the Human Resources Development in the Mining sector (KIZUNA) scholarship program while twelve participants from various government agencies will pursue their Masters and PhD studies respectively under the SDGs Global Leader scholarship program. This batch has seen a gradual increase in the number of successful applicants for JICA’s scholarship programs. Hence, when applications for these scholarship programs re-open in September this year, JICA PNG office will work closely with respective training officials from all government agencies at the national and the sub national level, higher education and research institutions to ensure that applications from all eligible entities are received in an appropriate and timely manner. JICA also continues to encourage eligible female applicants to apply for the available scholarship programs that are provided every year. These programs include the SDGs Global Leader, KIZUNA and Agriculture and Food Securities Network (AGRI-NET) program. JICA is keen to enhance PNG’s human resource who will contribute to the sustainable development of the country

Social media model Courtney Clenney has been charged with second-degree murder over the April death of the boyfriend, Christian Toby Obumseli, Miami State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle said Thursday. Clenney, 26, was arrested in Hawaii on Wednesday 10th August 2022  on a charge of second-degree murder with a deadly weapon. At a press conference Tuesday, 9th August 2022, Rundle described an "extremely tempestuous and combative relationship" between the couple that began in November 2020. According to Clenney's arrest warrant, there had been "multiple incidents of domestic violence from both sides" during the relationship. She said that security staff at the building documented "many instances" of loud arguments between the pair after they moved into the apartment in January 2022, adding that tenants as far as two floors above the apartment had complained to the building about the noise. Rundle also showed a video from a building elevator in February 2022 that appeared to show Clenney shoving and hitting Obumseli. According to the arrest warrant, she had also been charged with domestic battery against Obumseli in a hotel in Las Vegas in July 2021. Rundle said that the couple briefly separated when Clenney kicked Obumseli out of her apartment in late March, but he returned on April 1. Police were called to the apartment later that day, and Clenney appeared "intoxicated" at the time, Rundle said. On the day of Obumseli's death, he left the apartment at 1:15 p.m. and returned at 4:33 p.m. with sandwiches for the pair, Rundle said. Clenney called her mother at 4:43 and spoke for six minutes, and called her again at 4:49 and spoke for seven minutes, Rundle said. At 4:57, she called 911 to report that Obumseli had been stabbed. During that time, neighbors called the building about a disturbance and security also called 911, Rundle said. Rundle said Obumseli can be heard saying that he was dying and losing feeling in his arm on her 911 call, and that Clenney was heard saying "I'm so sorry." When police arrived, Clenney was cradling Obumseli's body, according to her arrest warrant. He later died of his injuries at the hospital. Clenney later told police she had stabbed Obumseli after he grabbed her by the throat and shoved her against the wall, Rundle said. She allegedly said she ran to the kitchen, grabbed a knife, and threw it at him from about 10 feet away. But Rundle said police did not find any evidence that Clenney had been harmed and said the medical examiner disputed her account of the incident, noting that Obumseli's injury was much more consistent with a "downward strike" with the knife than with a throw from such a far distance. Rundle said the chief medical examiner for Miami-Dade County determined that Obumseli was killed by a three-inch deep stab wound to the chest. "The violent and toxic two-year relationship of Christian Obumseli and Courtney Clenney did not have to end in tragedy with Christian's murder as a victim of domestic violence," Rundle said. In a recorded telephone statement to police documented in the arrest warrant, Clenney's mother allegedly told authorities that she heard Clenney telling Obumseli to leave and Clenney saying that Obumseli was "lying." Her mother did not say anything about her daughter being attacked, the warrant said, and while she allegedly told investigators that she had not discussed Obumseli's death with her daughter, the warrant cited a 5:25 p.m. text message from "mom" on the defendant's phone that mentioned "self-defense" and told her not to speak with investigators without an attorney. An attorney for Obumseli's family said at the press conference the family "always believed that with a thorough and fair investigation, this day would come to reality." When asked why it took so long to press charges over the April incident, Miami police chief Manuel Morales said it was critical to ensure the charge would stand up in court. "You only get one shot," he told reporters. "You want to get it right." Hawaii County police said in a prior statement they assisted the U.S. Marshals Service as they arrested Clenney in Laupahoehoe, which is on the Big Island. Officers used an arrest warrant issued by Miami-Dade County, Florida. Clenney waived extradition during her initial court appearance Thursday in Hilo District Court, paving the way for her to return to Florida. She is being held at the East Hawaii Detention Center while she awaits that extradition, police said. Clenney uses the name Courtney Tailor on Instagram and OnlyFans, where she has more than 2 million followers. Her Miami defense lawyer, Frank Prieto, told CBS Miami that she was in Hawaii while in rehabilitation for substance abuse and post-traumatic stress disorder. "I'm completely shocked, especially since we were cooperating with the investigation and offered to voluntarily surrender her if she were charged," Prieto said before the Thursday press conference. "We look forward to clearing her name in court." Prieto said the two were together for about two years and their relationship was complicated. "It was clearly a toxic relationship, (they) had their ups and downs and, unfortunately, it culminated with his death," he said. Prieto said Clenney was actively seeking professional help to process the trauma experienced on the night of the stabbing. Obumseli's family said that he was a soft-spoken man and the idea that this was warranted is unthinkable, CBS Miami reported. "We have no cause to believe that this was a case of self-defense. Toby was raised with a, by a very strong family with strong morals, strong values, he does not come from that," said Karen Egbuna, a cousin of Obumseli who also appeared at the press conference. Source: CBS News

The SP PNG Hunters and Townsville Blackhawks have fought out a highly entertaining wet weather contest in Round 18 of the QRL Hostplus Cup, with both sides settling for a 23-23 draw at Bycroft Oval, Runaway Bay. It was the visitors who would adapt quickest to the dreary conditions, getting through their opening sets and slowly winning the territory battle thanks to their fifth tackle options and the Hunters’ own ill-discipline. The Blackhawks persisted with shifting it right through Robert Lui in good ball but the Hunters defence held up to repeatedly turn them away in the opening stages. It was only a clever short pass from dummy-half on the Hunters’ line that would eventually crack the home side when Kulikefu Finefeuiaki crashed over 10 minutes into the contest. Townsville would go back-to-back when Tom Chester crossed not long afterwards, latching onto a pinpoint attacking kick that came down right next to the posts. Hunters and Blackhawks players both went up for the ball but it was Chester who came down with it, crashing into the uprights and bouncing to the ground to score. The Hunters would answer back quickly, marching upfield on the back of a Blackhawks penalty and into position for their first shot at Townsville’s line. A slick left side shift ended with centre Benji Kot who punished the sliding defence with a big left foot step to score PNG’s first points. Townsville’s lead was quickly restored to 10 when Chester crossed for his second just minutes later. A clever shift late in the count caught out the Hunters’ edge defence who had dropped back for the kick, and Chester was the beneficiary with some nice support play netting him an early double. Desperate to drag themselves back into the game, some kick pressure applied by the Hunters earned some much needed attacking field position shortly afterwards and they built on that pressure when Judah Rimbu smartly forced a drop-out with his left boot. Thevisitors would defend their line convincingly though, holding up Keven Appo in the in-goal and then forcing an error on the last with their line speed. The Hunters would not be denied for long though. Embracing the grind and improving their discipline, the PNG side clawed their way back upfield to earn themselves another shot at Townsville’s line and this time they made it pay. A long shift to the left through Rimbu and Kitron Laka again found Benji Kot in some space and again he took his opportunity. Sizing up his opposite man, Kot put on some footwork to draw in the opposing winger before a superb offload found Solo Wane untouched in the corner. As a result the Blackhawks would take a 16-12 lead into the break. Both sides came out with intent in the second half but it was the smarts and execution of the Hunters that lead to next points points. An excellent yardage kick from Kingstimer Paraia pinned the Blackhawks in their own corner and the defensive pressure PNG applied quickly forced an error. With their next possession, the Hunters compressed the middle thanks to Wesser Tenza’s work from dummy-half before setting up for another shift to the left. Strike centre Kot again appeared to be the target but Rimbu played with nice variation to drop Laka back underneath, who crashed through the defence to score. Not to be undone by his halves partner, Rimbu was the next Hunter to set things up with his boot when he launched a spiralling bomb skyward and then lead the chase to tackleTownsville in their own in-goal and earn a repeat set. Riding the momentum and having found a winning formula, the Hunters again searched left in good ball with a smooth backline shift this time that ended with Kot sliding over for his second. As the game settled into a grind the points dried up and field position became key. The Hunters and Blackhawks both traded sets and kicked to corners with neither side looking like breaking until a penalty awarded Townsville a fresh set on PNG’s line. The visitors searched left with some nice shape through five-eighth Jake Burke and Chester that threatened to break the line, only for some desperate cover defence to drag the Blackhawks fullback down. The damage had been done to PNG’s defensive system though and Jaymon Moore capitalised on this to crash over from dummy-half on the very next tackle. With the scores locked at 22-22, the stakes were high as the game entered the final ten minutes. Both sides scrapped and fought for yardage as the clock wound down and with less than three minutes left it was Townsville five-eighth Jake Bourke who found himself in position for a shot at field goal. Bourke hit it sweetly to give Townsville the lead but the visitors’ celebrations were short lived when Hunters’ five-eighth Kingstimer Paraia responded in PNG’s very next set, slotting an attempt from right in front to tie things up as the siren sounded. The draw result is a positive one for the Hunters who impressed with their intent and execution in key moments, while the Blackhawks while bemoan a chance to threaten the top eight and push for a finals appearance. Head Coach Matt Church was delighted with his side's response after a disappointing showing against the Sunshine Coast. "It was really pleasing to see us respond after last week and improve in key areas," said Church. "Our kicking game was much better today and it allowed us to build pressure and create scoring opportunities." Church also paid tribute to the Hunters' resilience and execution under pressure. "To execute that set at the end there and draw the game with our only attempt was really pleasing," said Church.  "Although we haven't been as consistent as we'd like this season, that field goal is a good example of how far we've come as a playing group this year. If we stick to our systems and execute our game plans, we can compete with anyone on our day." Result SP PNG Hunters 23. draw Townsville Blackhawks 23

The Written Expression Examination for Grade 12 will go ahead next week Monday, 15 August as per Secretary’s Circular Instruction. The original date 1st August had been re-scheduled to 15th August due to the disturbances caused by the National General Elections polling and counting in various parts of the country including the National Capital District. “I am confident that our students and teachers have prepared well for this exam. I am now calling on all the Provincial Divisions of Education, school administrations and parents to support our students give their best. I am also calling on the general public to respect our students and support them in every way possible to sit the exam next week Monday. These are our future leaders and we must play our part to ensure that they feel safe to travel to school especially with the election-related disturbances in the last couple of weeks.” This year, 32,206 students from 212 Secondary Schools including private & permitted schools and 6 Schools of Excellence in the country have nominated to sit for the grade 12 Written Expression Examination which is re-scheduled for Monday, 15th August, 2022. “I confirm that the Department through the Measurement Services Division has already dispatched all the materials for the Grade 12 Written Expression Examination on time to all Provinces. All Grade 12 students should have received their Written Expression Resource Booklet at 8am on Monday 25th July 2022 from their Schools of Nomination and read and prepare for the actual Written Expression Examination which has been re-scheduled for Monday 15th August. All students are given more than 2 weeks to prepare themselves well for the Written Expression Examination. All the Provincial Education Advisors (PEAs), Provincial Examination Supervisors, Senior Secondary Inspectors, Guidance Officers, Principals and Governing Councils are asked to be vigilant and security conscious with the security of the Examination Materials and through to the actual administration by following the rules enforced by the Measurement Services Division. Everyone involved in the examination process are advised to prevent all tendencies towards any mal-practices that may compromise the results. They are also reminded that the penalty for cheating or assisting to cheat in national examinations is non-certification and requested all citizens to support fair examinations to all which is in our national interest. “The covid-19 safe-guards such as washing hands, wearing masks, the reasonable social distancing guidelines and vaccinations still apply. I would like to wish every student in Grade 12, all the very best in their examination”.