Calliaqua pupils visit with seniors

Two senior citizens in the Calliaqua community, 87-year-old Aleatha Goodluck and 80-year-old Esterlita Bruce were visited recently by pupils of the Calliaqua Anglican School as part of a project to provide the students with the opportunity to learn of the way of life and schooldays of yester year and compare them with that of today’s.{{more}}

On Friday 29th May, 2009, pupils of Grade 5, accompanied by their teacher Bernadette Searles, first visited Aleatha Goodluck’s residence. “She was eagerly awaiting our arrival. She was so elated and expressed how much she enjoys sharing of her childhood and womanhood experiences with anyone, especially the younger ones. She ably detailed the journey of her school days from Pre-school at the Parish Hall in the early thirties. She then moved on to the Calliaqua Anglican School, which was affectionately called ‘Big School’. She vividly recalled that during her primary school life, Arithmetic, now called Mathematics, was her challenge. However, she hastened to say that she worked hard and did her best because one had to pass Arithmetic and English to enter the Glen Community School, which now houses the Louis Punnett Home.

Goodluck said that during her days at school, the classes were called ‘Stage’ or ‘Standard’. She then asked, “What are they called now?” She was told that they are called ‘Grades’ from 1 to 6”.

While she described her youth, students posed questions, which she answered with pride, alertness and a feeling of satisfaction. One student asked, “Can you remember the names of some of your teachers and Headteachers?”

With a broad smile, Goodluck said, “Yes, Mrs. Valerie Gresham, Mr. Reynold Charles and Miss Viva Boson were some of my teachers, and the Headteachers at that time were Mr. Paynter then Mr. Cato, the late Milton Cato’s father.”

Another student asked, “What were some of your special moments at school?” She sighed and then gleefully remarked, “Oh, Red Flounder’s Day (Poppy Day) and going aboard the ship ‘Speedy Queen’ when it made its visits at the Kingstown wharf, playing ring games and singing Sankies and jingles. Yet another question, “What community activities were you involved in?” She proudly answered, “I was a Guide, then a Guider, a choir member and also a member of the Mothers’ Union of the St. Paul’s Anglican church.”

Amusingly she prompted the students to ask more questions. Another came. “What was/were your hobby (ies)” She said Reading, was her hobby and still is. Then the final one was asked, “Was there any advice that you received from your teachers that stayed with you?” She answered in the affirmative and said that Headteacher Paynter always told them ‘Being late was a bad habit’ and her favourite class teacher Mrs. Leitha Pemberton used to tell her “Always stick with someone who knows more than you.”

At the end of the visit, Goodluck taught them one of the Sankies which students of her day enjoyed and then advised them that they should love and respect their teachers, study hard and be obedient to their parents and teachers at all times.

The pupils’ next stop was at Mrs. Bruce who was elated about having the students come and visit. She spoke of attending the Glen Community School and said she was a very good Rounders player. She enjoyed playing ring games on moonlit nights in the road. She said she loves to dance and gladly offered to do a ‘piece’ for the pupils, who sang one of her favourite Folk songs – ‘Moonlight, Poor man’s Lantern’ which was indeed a treat. Before leaving, the students gave thank you speeches and presented bouquets to both ladies.