St Vincent Grammar School celebrates 100 years

The St. Vincent Grammar School has given 100 years of “Undeniably solid, incomparable, outstanding contribution to the development of St. Vincent and the Grenadines”. So said Deputy Chief Education Officer Luis deShong.{{more}}

In a powerful address to declare the 86th Inter-house Athletic Sports Meet of the St. Vincent Grammar School open, deShong said that the school “must indeed be considered as the Oxford University, the Cambridge University, the Yale University, the Harvard University of this land.”

The school’s sports meet, staged on Wednesday, was the first event in the calendar of activities being held to commemorate the school’s centenary. deShong, himself a past student and former Deputy Headmaster of the school, gave thanks on behalf of all alumni of the school to all the school’s teachers and headmasters.

deShong reminded the present students of the school that they are a part of a family, a prestigious circle of gentlemen. He urged them to turn on their light bulbs and let the world see them shine. “Let the world pause, observe and admire, because the St. Vincent Grammar School is indeed a cut above the rest,” he said.

A special feature of the sports meet, the 86th since the school was established, was the honouring of past Victores Ludorum, past House Masters and Mistresses and other persons who contributed significantly to the school’s sports meets over the years.

Former Headmaster and past student Lennox John, the Victor Ludorum in 1959, addressed the opening ceremony on behalf of all former Victores Ludorum. In his address, John compared the sporting facilities of today with those that existed during the earlier years. He traced the development of the house system, and highlighted those athletes whose performances had been outstanding.

Remarks were also made by acting Headmaster Nigel Scott and the Minister of Sport, the Hon Glen Beache, himself a past student and former sprint champion.

The 100th anniversary celebrations will continue on April 16th when there will be a career showcase at the Peace Memorial Hall. Other activities include a cocktail hosted by the Governor General on June 28th, the school’s graduation ceremony on July 2nd, a boat ride on August 1, a thanksgiving service at the Victoria Park on September 21st, a concert on October 26 and the grand finale on December 20th at the school grounds.