IHS Alumni stage reunion as school celebrates 99th anniversary

The Intermediate High School (IHS) founded by the late John Parmenos Eustace in 1925, is this year celebrating 99 years of service in the field of secondary education, and it is also the first time that IHS past students have staged a reunion under the theme “Reuniting the past, Embracing the future”.
The IHS fondly referred to as “Timmy School”, got that sobriquet from its longest serving headmaster Bertram “Timmy” Richards, who served as principal from 1941 to 1989, a total of 48 years, with several generations of students ‘passing through his hands’.

The reunion activities began with a march through the streets of Kingstown from the former IHS premises now occupied by Swiftpak to the current school location at Mc. Kies Hill. The procession included both past and present students of IHS. At the School, the students were given lectures on areas including but not limited to conflict resolution, agriculture, decorum, etiquette & ethics, information technology, life purpose, music, sports, education, wellness and mental health. All these topics were delivered by mentors all of whom are past students. The highlight of that visit by the alumni was the presentation of gifts in the form of several running shoes for the athletes, as well as a full sized keyboard for the school band.

On Thursday evening a “Meet and greet” was held at Paradise Inn where alumni from the diaspora were able to reconnect with friends. On Friday, October 24, several past students journeyed to Bequia for a day of relaxation on the beach. The following day, a Family Fun and Sports day was held at Mt. Wynne. Among the fun events completed was a tug-o war, sack race, hula hoop, with a raffle for multiple items being conducted every half hour with a least 10 persons winning prizes.

On Sunday, October 26,2025 the IHS alumni worshipped at the Kingstown Methodist Church, with alumnus Tyrone Creese, reading one of the scripture passages. Later that evening the grand finale was held in the form of a gala and dinner at Spring Garden Estate. Just before dinner, alumnus Julian “Junior” Jack, now a legal counsel was invited to address the gathering. He encouraged past students to continue assisting the school in tangible ways. Also addressing the audience was chair of the alumni planning committee Wayne Williams, who urged the group to assist with the school feeding programme for at least 10 under privileged students. He also presented the Principal of the IHS, Mona Greene, with a plaque in appreciation for her service to the school.

The signature event of the evening was a surprise performance by past IHS student and winner of the first Independence calypso contest, Kenneth ‘Vibrating Scakes’ Alleyne. He had the audience on their feet signing along lustily to what has now become the “Independence Anthem”, Our Nation is born, colonialism is gone’.

Next year, 2026, IHS will celebrate 100 years of service in education to SVG and it is expected to be a grand ceremony to the longevity of an institution that has trained several hundreds of Vincentians who have excelled in all fields of work. The IHS alumni planning committee wishes to thank all past students, teachers and business community who assisted with the preparation and planning for this first reunion and looks forward to their support as they plan for the school’s centenary in 2026.

Contributed by: Donald DeRiggs