by Jeanette France

During the week of October 23 to 28, twenty Girls’ High School past students from Canada, USA, Barbados and St.Vincent and the Grenadines gathered in Kingstown to celebrate fifty years since their graduation in 1955. The reunion had as its theme “Revisiting the Potter’s Shed.”

The purpose of the reunion was two-fold. Firstly, it served as an opportunity to reconnect with our classmates and teachers. Secondly, as our theme would suggest, we wanted to revisit our Alma Mater to bond with the present student body and to undertake a project for the benefit of the school.{{more}}

The week-long celebration began with the Class of ’55, their partners and past teachers attending Church Service at the Church of the Ascension, Sion Lodge. It was a heart warming experience to meet and greet classmates and teachers whom many had not seen for years. One member of the group expressed this sentiment in her address when she explained that it was an extremely emotional time for all of us.

After the Church Service, the group moved on the Tropic Breeze Hotel. While enjoying a tasty Caribbean Brunch, the present members of the Class of ’55 were introduced and tributes were paid to the two members of staff, Norma Ince-Keizer and Elaine Gatherer Connell, who were present as well as those who were unavoidably absent, Monica Sheen Dacon, Irma Norris, Clara Prescod and Cynthia Hunte. Messages were read from members of the class who were unable to attend the reunion and finally a moment of silence was observed for the two classmates and all our teachers who have passed to the great beyond. It was a happy and memorable experience as the group members recalled, and often were reminded of, the many events that shaped their lives so many years ago.

On Monday, October 24, the group, now nicknamed the Golden Girls, visited the Girls’ High School and conducted an Assembly during which two members spoke about what life at our Alma Mater was like 50 years ago. This was well received by the present students and the bond was further strengthened as the Golden Girls identified with the various houses and sang the School Song with the present students and members of the Staff who are GHS graduates. The final verse of the School Song was being enacted here:

And when we leave her portals

We often will return

With love and eager longing

Our loyal hearts will burn.

As one member of Staff commented, at this moment, one felt proud to be a graduate of the Girls’ High School.

At the single fund raising event on Wednesday, October 26, tea was served to many supporters on the lawn of the Girls’ High School. The highlight of this event was the modeling of the 1950s School, Cookery and Games Uniforms against a backdrop of the present day school and games uniforms.

Other activities during the week included a Safari Dinner, a trip to Dark View Fall, with a stopover to visit one of our members in Chateaubelair who is ill and could not attend the Reunion, a Barbeque, a day trip to Bequia and a Shindig on Saturday to bring the curtain down on this wonderful week of activities.

It was an exciting week and fun was had by all. Many monetary pledges, to provide our Alma Mater with a comfortable and modern Sick Bay, were received from those in attendance and those who could not attend. We take this opportunity to thank all those who helped to make this reunion a success. The members of the Class of ’55 have returned to their various homes and activities but the memories shared during this week will keep us bonded together and to our Alma Mater, St.Vincent Girls’ High School.