St. Stanislaus College

140th Anniversary Magazine

CONTENTS Part 2 Part 3

Significant Dates in Saints History Tribute to Fr. Bernard Darke S.J.

Marching on in the new millennium College Thoughts From Abroad

Current Classes at Saints Teaching Art (Among Other Things)

Ken Corsbie's Reflections Cecil Francis DeCaires

Mark McWatt College Poetry – Rhyaan Persaud

‘Boyhood Days’ – Dave Martins Too Soon It Was Over…

Scouting At The College

Presidents of The S.S.C.A

Cricket is no 'Girlie' Business

Sports Day 2006

Prospectus Click for Part 2

This is a personal tribute to Fr. Bernard Darke with whom I shared a roof in U.K. (1958-1960) and in (1964-1966, 1970-1971, and 1972-1979). Over this period, I came to know him as a Teacher, Senior Master, Photographer, Scout Master and, first and foremost, as a very likable and hard working Jesuit priest who strived to do all for the greater glory of God. The motto, AD MAIOREM DEI GLORIAM (TO THE GREATER GLORY OF GOD), sums up his life.

Glowing tributes have been paid to Fr. Darke (affectionately known as Bernard to his colleagues), and the book, "Justice, the Struggle for Democracy in Guyana 1952-1992" by Fr. Andrew Morrison S.J., as well as many

articles in past issues of the St. Stanislaus College Magazine College Annual, attest to his life and achievements. The cover photo shows him "being chased across the road before being beaten and stabbed by members of the House of Israel...... He died the same day". A Google internet search, giving his name only, yields abundant information of his assassination which received world-wide publicity. In some ways, it ushered in the end of the doctrine of Paramountcy of the Party and, eventually, the restoration of Democracy to our troubled county when free and fair elections were held eventually in 1992.

The day of 14th July, 1979, is a day that will live in infamy.

1958-1960

Fr. Darke read Theology at Heythrop College, Oxon, the Jesuit house of studies in Philosophy and Theology, from 1956 to 1960, prior to his Ordination in 1959. During the period 1958-1961, I was a Philosophy student, and our groups did not have any shared classes. We would sit opposite each other at meals, and listen to the words of Scripture before the time to chat. We met at games, Scout and other shared activities. I cannot remember meeting him, but we knew that he was someone who liked to puff on his pipe, was quiet, spent some time in his photographic dark room, and was helpful to any who asked for his assistance.

1964-1966

Fr. Darke arrived in Guyana in 1961, and I joined him in July 1964 on the staff of St. Stanislaus College, my Alma Mater (1948- 1955), when Fr. John Hopkinson was our Headmaster. This was the Regency part of our training. It was still an all-male school (it became co-ed in 1976, when I was Headmaster), and our activities reflected the composition of the school. A new wing was added (the Scannell Wing) during this period. I assisted Fr. Darke with Scouts, since I had obtained my Gilwell Scout Badge while in U.K. I was also Games Master and class room teacher.

Fr. Darke taught Scripture, and later branched off to Mathematics and General Science. However, Scouting was his forte and, as Scout Leader and Photographer, he left an indelible mark on all those who crossed his path. I learned the rudiments of Photography from Fr. Darke who was a patient teacher and very helpful to neophytes like myself.

An inveterate pipe-smoker with a stern appearance, he was both liked and disliked by the students, albeit he was always fair in his administration of punishment. As SeniorMaster,hewasincharge of discipline, and students feared when their names were read out for the ferula, the Jesuit method of corporal punishment. This was in stern contrast to Fr. Sydney Boase whom we nicknamed "the Saint" and who was upset whenever he had to administer the ferula. There would be long lines whenever Fr. Boase's turn came up.

I well remember the Summer Camp of 1965 when I joined the Scout Troop for the camp at Sand Creek Village in the Rupununi. We sat opposite each other in a converted cattle plane with no air conditioner, and flew on a wing and a prayer.

This was my first and only trip, and we held our breath as we flew over the mountains and jungle until we saw the flat Rupununi savannah below. Dr. Mark McWatt was the Troop Leader at the time. We had to contend with mosquitoes and sought refuge in mosquito nets, while we all either learned some scout craft or taught others, joined always by Fr. Darke. It was an unforgettable experience.

1970-1971

I returned to Guyana after my ordination in 1969, with my status slightly enhanced as a Jesuit Priest. The Hopkinson Wing was completed, and the College shared science facilities with the senior students of St. Rose's and St. Joseph's High Schools.

Needless to say, this was welcomed by the boys, and led to a number of life-long relationships. This year was considered part of the Jesuit training with evaluation as to my fitness to take final vows as a Jesuit. My work was not much different, and the Staff included some whom I remember as colleagues and former students. I assisted Fr. Darke with the Scouts and with Games, and it was soon time to return to UK for the Tertianship or final year of spiritual formation. My photography skills were by now somewhat enhanced, and I enjoyed the scouting sessions, although I could not find the time for scout outings during the year.

1972-1979

I returned to Guyana as a young man at the age of 36, and was appointed Headmaster to replace Fr. Hopkinson, with Mr. Clement Derrell as Deputy Headmaster and Fr. Darke as Senior Master.

My responsibilities did not allow me to assist with the Scout Troop but I gave Bernard a lot of moral support. The political situation, following the rigged Referendum of 1970 and the installation of the President for life, followed by the take-over of the leading Secondary schools by the Burnham regime in 1976, ushered in a time of considerable turmoil and uncertainty, which are well chronicled in Fr. Morrison's book, cited earlier.

I well remember that fateful day of 14th July, 1979. I had just stepped out for a few minutes and, on my return, discovered that Fr. Darke had been assassinated by the House of Israel. School had just closed, and Fr. Darke was in the staff room, marking examination papers, when he observed a crowd of demonstrators marching with their pickets along Brickdam in the wake of a Police van. Bernard left his pipe and came out with his camera to take pictures.

The House of Israel thugs, carrying staves, cutlasses, and knives, attacked the demonstrators, and one of them targeted Fr. Darke. The rest is history, as described so graphically by Fr. Morrison. It was a brutal murder and sent shock waves worldwide. It seems that they had intended to murder Fr. Andrew Morrison, but Fr. Darke paid the ultimate penalty for being in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Scouts, students, and staff joined with many others in the funeral procession held on 25th July, 1979. I was among the thirty priests who joined Fr. Robert Barrow, the Jesuit Superior, as well as Bishop Benedict Singh and many other members of the Clergy, in a concelebrated Mass in paying tribute to a fallen hero. More than six thousand people crowded into Brickdam Cathedral, and those who could not get in remained outside in mute testimony to Fr. Darke. Like his Master 2,000 years ago, he gave his life so that truth could ultimately prevail and the message of the Gospel be preached worldwide.

The above personal recollections are offered as a tribute to Fr. Bernard Darke who helped shape the history of what is now a struggling Democracy where human rights are respected and a dictatorship no longer controls every facet of national life. He died so that we could be free, and his memory will inspire others to walk in his footsteps and be prepared to make sacrifices, even though they may not be called upon to make the ultimate sacrifice. Many chose to leave Guyana and join the Guyanese Diaspora scattered worldwide, but some decided to remain in Guyana, and others are now returning to assist in the rebuilding of their country.

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It is now over thirty years since I came from England to Guyana to teach at the then-Jesuit college of St. Stanislaus. Fr. John Hopkinson was the Headmaster in 1969, to be followed by Fr Kenneth Khan soon afterwards. Several Jesuits were still on the Staff: Fr. Feeny, Fr. Earle, Fr. Lynch, Fr. Darke and others.

I was asked to teach French and Religious Knowledge - and later, Spanish -, and itwas a most happy time. The students - all boys then - were generally attentive and well-behaved and there was little or no problem with homework. It was a great help for me to visit the homes of those in my Form; parents were usually pleased to discuss their boys' progress, and it enabled me to see, among other matters, if there were facilities for quiet study. The College playing field was much used at the time, so there were sessions of football and to supervise. Not being particularly expert at either, my role was generally just to keep an eye on the smooth running of the game.

When I was Form Master of one of the Lower School classes, there was a system of 'sides' in each class. Half were Arawaks, half were Caribs, and paints were obtained for good attendance, punctuality, school work, tidiness, good behaviour. At the end of each half-term, the winning side was given a day off, so I borrowed the College minibus and drove my winners to to spend a day at the seaside with a picnic lunch. On the return trip, there was much singing of the French songs we had learned at school. It was a wonderful way of strengthening the bonds between students and teacher.

The early 1970s passed peacefully; students continued to do well in G.C.E. 'O' Levels and 'A' Levels, but changes were coming. Co-education was introduced into the educational system in 1975. We began by admitting a percentage of girls into the First Forms, gradually increasing the number each year. The first girls to come must have found it rather daunting, but they bore up bravely and survived.

President Forbes Burnham was now in 'nationalisation mood', gradually taking over everything in the country. The 'exodus' had begun; spaces began to appear on the school benches. In 1976, Burnham took over all the schools and forbade the teaching of Religion in school-time. It was the beginning of the deterioration of educational standards in Guyana.

Many good teachers emigrated and their place was often taken by 'Party' teachers, more interestetl in politics than in teaching. It was a great pity to see the crumbling of a long tradition at Saints, going back. to its foundation by the .Jesuifs in 1866.

In 1979 came the tragedy ,of the murder of Fr Bernard Darke, bayoneted to death on Brickdam outside the Ministry of Home Affairs on a busy Saturday morning, July 14. I had been with him in the Staff Room shortly before, writing end-of-term reports. On finishing, I cycled back to-29- Brickdam and it was there I heard the shattering news. His funeral at Brickdam Cathedral filled every bench and the College Scout Troop, led so ably by Fr. Darke for many years, turned out in force. By July 1980, I was the last Jesuit on the Staff, so my Superiors reluctantly decided to end their teaching commitment to Saints, and I was posted to the Pakaraima Mountains to do pastoral work among the Patamona Indians. What a difference from the strict timetable.at Saints! I much regretted leaving the College after so many enjoyable years of teaching and school friendships but that is life. Change all around.

I now thought that my connections with Saints were over, but in the last few months, I have been pleasantly surprised. In January of this year, I was diagnosed with terminal cancer and had to return to England for treatment. Somehow, word spread among the and Toronto chapters of Saints former students, as well as in Guyana, and e-mail began to arrive by the dozens. It was wonderful to hear again from so many of my former students, some of whom I had not seen or communicated with for twenty to thirty years. It was fascinating to read their memories of classroom incidents which I had forgotten, and to appreciate their complimentary comments about the teaching they had received at Saints, to hear that many of them were now trying to inculcate those standards of honesty, integrity, loyalty, hard work and reliability that they had learned during their years at Saints.

So, looking back over the past thirty years, I have much for which to be grateful, both during my time teaching at Saints and in recent months. My greetings go out to all former students who may read this article and remember me, and to the present Staff and students now at the school. May the situation at Saints steadily improve and, with the assistance of the Guyana, Barbados and Toronto chapters, may Saints once more become a school of excellence.

Father Fred died very peacefully on Trinity Sun 10th June 2001 at 1:30 p.m. British Summer Time (Contributed by Thomas Singh)

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It was one of those things that happen from time to time - a few words that change the direction of your life. It was a Friday afternoon and I had just escorted my Standard 4 class at Sacred Heart School across the road into Main Street Avenue. Returning to the schoolyard to get my cycle, I saw Fr Brian Scannell, S.J., my former Headmaster at Saints. With his customary smile, Panama hat with upturned brim and grey suit, he dismounted the large frame cycle beloved by all the priests and spoke to me. After saying that he was glad to see me, he explained the difficulty he had had trying. to affect my release from the school and was now speaking to me directly.

He then offered me the post as Art Master at Saints. An additional incentive was the offer to help me complete my 'A' Level studies in English Literature. I was at the time studying privately to obtain that subject along with Art and Ancient History. I could not believe my ears but after a slight pause accepted. It was the first step in realizing my dream to become a qualified art teacher.

At the time, Saints had no art room and I had to conduct lessons in the individual form room. The plan was to introduce art from Form Two and use the remaining time to teach History and Maths in the lower school. I was told many years later by what happened in my opening lesson with the class. It was the first period in an afternoon and I had taken a length of “baby pumpkin" vine with its five sided leaves and pinned it to the blackboard on a sheet of white paper. My announcement "Draw that" was followed by my sitting down and looking at them. There was a deadly silence followed by a faint murmur around the class. I had created immediate consternation; they had never before had such an encounter but did make a brave start. My tactic proved successful in finding out from the outset who were the "'naturals". I had used that method before at Sacred Heart.

To help students over this shock and to encourage further participation in art, I used other themes such as scribble patterns, lettering and imaginative compositions. In this way everyone found something he could excel in and real talent did reveal itself.

Two years later and working with Forms One and Two, we were able to show their work at the School's Open Day. We obtained screens and mounted a variety of work on them for the display in the assembly space on the ground floor in the old wing. Students were proud to show off their efforts

In 1962 I left Saints to study Art at the University of Newcastle in the north of England. I did not remain at the school long enough to present the first candidates for Art at GCE 'O' Level. It was my first regret, the other being posted to Berbice High School on my return in 1968 because I had taken a loan from the Government. It was a pleasure however to learn years later that several boys from my first class did become involved in Art related professions. Christopher Menezes in Graphic arts, Amerally in Architecture, George Morrison in Fashion Design and Cosmetology, Michael Lowe and Billy Newman Interior Design. I could not ask for more. It was also the only class I ever knew that formed their own Art Club that met on weekends. I was never invited to meetings and felt that they need to conduct their activities without interference. This was something I respected and would only ask from time to time about their projects. Puppetry was one of them.

Fr. Scannell had one other surprise in store for me. He told me one day that I had to take the Fifth Form doing Geography at 'O' Level. I could not believe what he had just said, trying to justify his decision. Geography had been one of my favourite subjects but only the 'O' Level gods can say why I did not succeed in obtaining a pass. I suggested to him that I was surely not qualified for such a responsibility but he dismissed this saying that "You will make out all right". The reason for the offer was that Leslie Cummings the Geography Master was leaving on a Saints Association Scholarship to study Geography at Aberdeen University in Scotland. Leslie and I were close friends; we had been in the class of 1951 and were involved in an exercise that he led and I continued after he had left. During the long holidays we used to take groups of boys camping in various places along the coast and in the interior. There was Redwater Creek near the airport, Belfield, Den Amstel, Kaieteur Falls, and the Essequibo Lakes. Younger boys were taken mainly to Redwater Creek, the older and more experienced went further afield. We always had a senior Scout or two on every trip.

My Geography class went better than I had expected. This was a small class of students Leslie had worked with and I had known from camping. My first lesson began: "I do not have Geography even at 'O' Level, I know that you have been well taught by Mr. Cummings, so my idea is to train you in the way to answer questions based on what you already know ... between the two of us we should succeed."

My lessons proceeded based on what I knew, supplemented with information I had gained from reading NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC magazines over the years. The plan worked so successfully that I was invited to take the exam with them. I declined, saying that I did not want to spoil the percentage passes. Of a class of six students, five passed ... no one was more proud than because I did not let down the school, Leslie Cummings and Fr. Scannell's faith in me.

Fr. Brian Scannell was a true visionary. He had seen that political developments in Guyana would eventually lead to Government's total control of education. A plan was devised to employ as many old boys as possible to become members of staff so that when the take over was effected (as it later was) there would be a core of Masters who would maintain the proud traditions of Saint Stanislaus College. These were Leslie Cummings, Pat Derrell, John Choy, Gerald Jekir, Ronnie Bacchus and myself. Over the years we also had other members of the lay staff including the respected Stanley Marques who seemed to have been there forever. The College Association also played a part by funding scholarships to send Masters abroad to acquire university degrees in their respective fields. The recipients included all of the above save the last two. Ronnie left for Canada to teach and I to the UK for further studies.

Stanley Greaves, & Jeremy Poynting, Petamber Persaud & Stanley Phillip Moore Greaves

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Cecil Francis de Caires was born in Georgetown, Guyana on November 25, 1917, the youngest of three children, to Francis and Josephlne de Caires. He attended St. Stanislaus College from the time he left preparatory school until the age of fifteen, when he left to work with his father at the latter's commission agency, Francis de Caires and Company Ltd, in due course taking over that business after his father's death.

He married Thelma Rosalind Elias in 1942 and at his death they had been happily married for 61 years. They had two sons, Geoffrey and Ian.

He contrinuted to the formation of the St. Stanislaus College Association, and served as President in 1952 and 1956. He was a founder member of the Barbados chapter, assisting Father Khan in its early days, when meetings were held at the Life of Barbados building in Wildey.

Cecil was a keen sportsman. He played cricket, billiards and hockey at club level, mainly for the Georgetown Cricket Club, and he represented his country in hockey from 1945 to 1953. He was also involved in West Indies cricket administration as West Indies board secretary, selector and manager of the 1957 West Indies team to England.

Through his involvement in hockey, he met D'Arcy Galt, a national hockey player from Trinidad, and the North American Life assurance company (NALACO) representative in that country. D'Arcy introduced the 30 year old de Caires to the insurance industry, and Cecil established and managed the Guyana NALACO office between 1947 and 1962, when he emigrated with his family to Barbados

When NALACO decided to cease doing business in Barbados, de Caires formed Life of Barbados Ltd., in 1971. This company grew steadily to become a respected player in the industry, along the way acquiring the Barbados portfolios of Confederation Life and Manufacturer's Life. In 2002 Life of Barbados was itself acquired by the Barbados Mutual Life Assurance Society, and subsequently merged with Sagicor Life, the successor to BMLAS. Cecil was a founder member and subsequently served as President of the Insurance Association of the .

Cecil was active in community service for most of his adult life. In 1960 he formed the first Lions club in Guyana, and in 1961 took 'Lionism' to Barbados, where he assisted a group of friends in the formation of the Lions Club of Bridgetown. In later years he became District Governor of Lions International District 60 - West Indies and the Guianas. However, his greatest efforts were directed to helping the handicapped. Inspired by the challenges faced by his son lan, born with cerebral palsy, he started a program for the handicapped in Guyana, which later became the David Rose School for the Handicapped.

In Barbados he played a pivotal role in the formation of the Barbados Association of Mentally Retarded Children, serving as its President from 1969 to 1973, and in the establishment of the Challenor School for such children. In 1973 he became the first President of the Thelma Vaughn Memorial Home for the physically challenged, and between 1981 and 1983 he was the chairman of the Finance, Development and Planning Committee for the National Children's Home.

Between 1987 and 1989, Cecil served as Chairman of the Richmond Fellowship of the Caribbean, a Ministry whose purpose was to help emotionally disturbed individuals back to a productive life in society.

In 1995, Cecil de Caires was awarded the Companion of Honour of Barbados, (CHB), for his services to the Insurance industry. He died peacefully in the company of his family on October 9th 2003.

Such is a brief biography of the life of my father, the Honourable Cecil Francis de Caires. His achievements in this life can be most readily attributed to his love for and trust in people. He became what is generally termed a successful man. A large part of his enjoyment of this success was that it allowed him to use his position to help many less fortunate than himself. He loved his wife and children, and was blessed with three wonderful grandchildren, who presented him with four great grandchildren by the time of his death. His opinion was frequently sought by his family and as frequently given. His eldest grand-daughter once gave him a plaque with the following inscription ....

'Diplomacy is the art of letting others have your way'!!! ....

This was undoubtedly one of the secrets to his happy life.

My first memory of my father was of him carrying me to an operating theatre in a Georgetown hospital, crying as he held a chloroform mask over my face before the surgeon could fix a congenital hernia, and later awaking in my bed to find him holding my hand. I thought he was the best man in the world then. I have never changed that opinion.

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It was 1995, my first year at Saints, coming from North Ruimveldt Multilateral School (Multi). I can't recall now why I entered the competition - the Guyana Commonwealth Young Poets Competition for Schools. But I think the decision was influenced by the fact my uncle, Sasenarine Persaud, and my father, Petamber Persaud, were already published writers and winners of poetry prizes.

So here was I deliberating, a person who never shared her poetry with the public or for that matter I have never showed my writing to anyone before; they were private thoughts and as such I supposed they ought to remain secret. All the same they were expression like writing essays and letters and short stories for school tests and examinations - subject matter taken from personal history. Why share that and not my poetry! Poetry was a purer form of writing, distillation of thoughts, thought processes. To show my poetry was to let the public into my head. And I wasn't ready for that, not yet…

The upshot, I took a shot and was pleasantly surprised when I was notified I was among the winners. Dressed in my school's uniform, dwarfed in the Savanah Suite at the Pegasus Hotel, I couldn’t help noticing winners in uniforms of other schools. And I was proud I was able to do something for my school. And I did my school proud again the following year winning the same competition.

I am even prouder to be part of the poetic tradition of the school now that a past student, Mark McWatt, and a past tutor, , have won the Guyana Prize for Literature for poetry.

(Rhyaan Persaud-Trotman is a registered nurse and qualified midwife pursing a degree in nursing at . She was recently confirmed 'sister' attached to Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation.)

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Reluctantly, she entered the St. Stanislaus College in 1976, one year after it was made a coeducational institution. And reluctantly, five years later, she left the school with which she fell in love. But not cutting ties; memories will not let her be.

It was a bittersweet affair for Camille Teekasingh, more sweet than sour however. After a few terms putting up with a male-oriented curriculum, this young girl child (along with other girls) asserted themselves by effecting changes in making the institution co-ed in reality.

In 1977, the girls formed a dancing group which in turned opened many doors, and slowly

they were integrated into the system. Some of Camille Teekasingh (deGroot), those pioneering girls included Marcelle Pollard, Jacqueline Moonsammy & Dawn Maison, Dawn Doria and Naudia Jacqueline Permaul Edwards. Their diligence was rewarded later (Picture taken by Old Boy Robert with the establishment of a Home Economic Young. Deceased,..) Department.

It was not that they did not like woodwork, farming, and technical drawing, but they wanted more, something more in character with female nature. The girls thought it unfair not accommodating them in scouting which happened eventually.

Camille Teekasingh's reluctance to attend a co-ed was due largely to the fact her elder sibling, Andrea, was at St. Rose's engaged in music, singing and dancing among other subjects offered.

That reluctance turned to enthusiasm. This was due mainly to a feeling of 'family' - the boys treated the girls with brotherly love and the adult male tutors were father figures. Soon the girls blossomed, adding greatly to once male-dominated school. They blossomed and the college prospered in every field.

Bits of memory that will stay with Camille Teekasingh for always:

The consummate diligence of Margerie Broganhagen and Fr. Darke as teacher, mentor and friend and acting lead in the school prize-wining play, 'The Miser', which was staged at the Theatre Guild.

Camille is married to past student of Saints, Peter De Groot, and she is now a proud full-time mother.

Lois Bascom, Clairmont Morrison, Lana George, Ian Valz, Alex (Troy) Back Row Graham, Roslyn Eastman, Shirab Sears, Jackqueline Moonsammy, Dawn Doria, Linden Branche & John Newton. Front Row Kim Vieira & Camille (Teekasingh) deGroot

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Scouting was started in 1908, in England, by Lord Robert Baden-Powell, and Guyana was among the first six countries to join the Movement. Sergeant Major Manly, who had come from England to serve in the local Police Force, and also used to train the Queen's College Cadets, started Troop 1.

After Bishop Galton had consented, the 4th Guiana Boy Scouts - St Stanislaus Own - was started by a Master, Fr. Alban Robinson S.J., one of the first Scouts of Guyana, on the 29th July, 1911. The Troop had daily meetings at the College, which at that time, was situated at the eastern end of the present site at Brickdam.

Fr. Robinson, who taught English and Latin, developed a very active Troop with the help of a keen group of lads. Rupert Craig, who was attached to Troop 1, switched his allegiance and became a Patrol Leader at Saints. Other members of the Troop included Orlando De Freitas, Joe Fernandes, George Craig, Tony De Freitas, Robert Wong, Jinks Jardim, Anselmo Marques, J.P. Santos, Caesar De Freitas, Clark Craig and Frank Mittelholzer, my maternal grandfather.

They wore broad-rimmed khaki felt hats, khaki long sleeved shirts, blue scarves, black trousers extending just below the knee, long black woollen socks, and boots or shoes. There were not many opportunities for camping outside of Georgetown, but they never-the-less participated in many Scouting activities, and gained several badges. They swam in the then 'Scout Pond' parallel to the Cummings Canal, in the vicinity of the Southern compound of the Government Technical Institute. It was in this pond that all Scouts were tested for swimming badges, and where they rowed their boats.

They also boxed, and wrestled on mats at the College, fenced with sabres and shot at the miniature Rifle Range at Eve Leary. They sailed their model yachts in the circular Park pond at the eastern end of the compound where Queen's College now stands, in what was then called Longden Park, and in Governor's Pond, then located in the area of the swimming pool of the Hotel Pegasus. They gained the Pathfinder Badge, the Signaller Badge by doing Morse and Semaphore signalling; the Cyclist Badge by stripping and fitting up a cycle; the First Aid Badge - Cook's Badge, the Interpreter's Badge by doing French at School and Spanish with Mrs. Reathlanna, wife of the then American Consul, and also gained the Marksmanship Badge.

A year later, the Troop grew to 21 strong, and won the Inter-Troop Sports Cup, competing with Troops 1, 2 and 3. Troops 2 and 3 were run by Mr. Herbert L. Rolleston and Mr. H. B. McConney, respectively. This competition took the form of boxing, shooting, wrestling and swimming.

There were three patrols by then: the Jaguar Patrol, whose colours were blue and white; the Otter Patrol who used blue and red as their colours, and the Alligator Patrol whose members were identified by blue and slate colours.

The Troop will best be remembered for the yeoman service its members rendered during the Cathedral fire which took place on Friday 7th March, 1913. The Scouts and Fr. Robinson were at the College when it started, and they rushed to the scene, along with thousands of other persons, including the touring M.C.C. cricketers. The boys did excellent work that day as could be gleaned from this extract of Fr. Robinson's account :-

"I am glad to be able to say that everyone praises the Boy Scouts. They worked like Trojans. No fewer than four loads of coal were dragged by the boys for the fire engine; they also rolled up the hose after the fire, as the fire police were so done up".

Robert Baden-Powell, Founder of the Movement, was informed of the part played by the Scouts of the three existing Troops, and he presented three Medals of Merit to be awarded to a Scout from each Troop. The award was for "Outstanding Achievement in scouting generally and for participation in the work done during the Cathedral fire". Frank Mittelholzer was the recipient from Troop IV.

In 1913, Fr. Robinson was transferred to , North West District and after 14 years in Guiana, left for Malta in 1924, where he died twenty years later. The running of the Troop was then taken over by Fr. Besant, Principal of the College who was then the Senior Honorary Member of the Local Scout Association.

Fr. Besant had scientific knowledge ofthe shape of hulls and sails, which he taught the boys as a very valuable hobby. Under his guidance, Frank Mittelholzer built and entered a yacht in the Boy Scouts Handicraft Exhibition held in Birmingham, England, in 1912, which was open to all Scouts in the British Empire. He won the first prize in his class of entry. Later, he also gained the King's Scout Award, the highest achievement at that time. In 1914, there were some rumblings in the local Movement, and Fr. Besant, in order not to get involved, disbanded Troop IV. Some of the boys, however, went over to Troop III and IV (combined).

Second Spring of Scouting at Saints

On the 29th June, 1959, under the leadership of Mr. Harold Wong, S.J., a Master and former Scout, the Troop as given a "second spring". Fr. John Hopkinson, S.J., the en Principal, succeeded in getting the Troop restarted, although the previous Headmaster, Fr. B. Scannell, had made an unsuccessful attempt to do so.

The six initial members - D. Abraham, A. Carr, R. Yip, L. Granger, N. Kum, and L. Texeira - formed the first patrol - the Ravens. They were invested on 18th September and St. Stanislaus Own - Troop 25 - became a reality.

The colours of the scarf were the Papal colours - white and gold. The uniform was khaki, and the Scouts wore short pants.

These boys provided a firm foundation for the Troop, which was later to camp throughout Guyana and in the Caribbean.

Stamps based on the Occasion of The Jamboree

This second phase of scouting at the College saw numerous developments including the formation of special troops and Fr. Darke becoming Scout Leader.

Editor's Note:

This is a modified version of two articles by Roger Seymour published the College Magazine in 1979 and 1980.

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The screaming, stamping, cacophonous roar of spectators at a cricket match; "Ooout," and "L.B.W.," and "How's Dat?!" Every on-looker slipping off his seat in anticipation as the bowler runs down the pitch, the ball rolls off the fingertips, sings and spirals towards the batter, the bat in rapid response swinging forward, the solid crack of contact between two opposing forces, the audience on their feet, their shouts shaking the stands beneath them. The commentators, the crowd, the cricketers, in one harmonious moment raise their voices to the sun-kissed skies, "SIX!"

The Saints Girls Cricket Team 2006 Back Row Bibi Shafrana Jaguarayan, Donnette Ritchie (capt), Rushelle Matthais, L-R Kezia Bess , Cashauna Samuels, Gaitrie Jagdeo, Marise Jordan Susan De Barres, Dipika Ramotar, Tzaddi Franklin, Phelicia Mohammed, Front Row Abigail Adams.

As Guyanese, as West Indians, many of us have shared in one of these adrenaline-pumping moments. Cricket is as much ours as it is any other cricket playing nations. From villages to our capital city, from road sides to school yards, almost every Guyanese boy, man or woman, has whiled a bat, bowled a ball or taken the field in some capacity.

However, a new era of cricket is being born to Guyana. Like boxing, like squash, like football and rugby and most recently like go-cart racing, we are finally succumbing to the reality of that famous schoolyard taunt, "I can do anything you can do better, I can do anything better than you!" It is the first National School-Girls Hardball Cricket Tournament organized by the Guyana Cricket Board in conjunction with the Ministry of Education, and it is being played by the first Girls Cricket Team to be formed for Saint Stanislaus College. While the college has had it's fare share of history with their male cricket team, having a school cricket legend like Stephen Comacho who made it into the West Indies Team, the Saint Stanislaus has never in all it's many sporting accomplishments, ventured to build an all-female team until now.

The National School-Girls Hardball Tournament is also a first of its kind and has brought to the forefront, a new chapter not only in inter-school cricket but perhaps also in the direction of cricket in general, since sports seems to be seeking new paths to venture down and new territories to claim.

This first tournament has been organized in a 'round-robin' fashion allowing each team within each district to play one another. The two highest scoring teams then battle it out for the victory. The tournament covers Berbice, Essequibo and Demerara, and the "Saints Girls" are cleaning the floor with the competition, one undefeated match at a time.

Willie Shoemaker said that desire is the most important factor in the success of any athlete and the Saint Stanislaus Girls Cricket Team has embodied that desire to excel. If winning each of their six matches against opposition such as Queen's College,

Campbellville Secondary School, Carmel Secondary School and Dolphin's Secondary is not testimony enough to their determination and ability, the individual records for the team's players are, by themselves, incredibly impressive.

Team Captain, Donnet Richie, picked up the only hat trick of the tournament in a four wicket haul against Carmel Secondary. For those of you who are not cricket fans and are not familiar with what a 'hat trick' is, it's the term used when a bowler takes three wickets with three consecutive balls; three wickets, three balls, three new batsmen - or in this case - 'bats-women' - all in a row. It's an incredibly difficult feat and even in the annals of professional cricket, only a handful of bowlers have earned that feather in their caps.

The girl's coach, Mr. Khan, indicated that if there's anything that sets their team apart and gives them that edge, it is that they are superb bowlers. Personalities like the diminutive Oepika Ramotar with her deceptive slow bowling (earning her the nick-name The Golden Arm) averaged just over three wickets per game, and Roshel Mathias, singled out as indisputably being the all-rounder of the tournament, with her aggressive batting, fiery fast bowling and nimble fielding, contribute to the teams unbeaten record thus far in the tournament. In fact, the teams' bowling is so impressive that it turned the girls batting up a notch as well. Their coach felt that had the other schools bowling been of a higher caliber, it would have opened more opportunities for his girls to score higher number of runs.

Opening batting opportunities for girls like Gaitrie Jagdeo, however, could have possibly been the last thing that any bowler would want to accomplish. Jagdeo, being described as one of the most vital elements of the team's success, has proven herself to be a batting sensation. Turning her batting into an art of elegant strokes and strategic swings, Gaitire hammered her way to a top score of forty-eight runs. Her crafty batsman-ship coupled with her accurate and medium paced bowling, earned her Player of the Finals Award.

Bats Women: Bowlers: Wicket Keeper: Phelicia Mohamed & Donnette Ritchie & Tzaddi Franklin Rushelle Matthais Dipika Ramotar As my photographer and I walked onto the field, meeting these girls for the first time, prepared only to take their photograph as a team at the request of their coach, we found ourselves drawn into that old school spirit and 'bowled for a six' by their willingness to gear up, get out there and do what was required of them. All smiles, all energy and all prepared to go all the way, these girls are the great characters that make high school what high school should be.

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For most Saints students, Sports Day is the most exciting day of the school calendar. The drudgery of school work is temporarily forgotten and athletic prowess rules the day. After an absence of many years "Saints Sports" returned to the hallowed grounds of the Georgetown Cricket Club. The members of the College Association went to great lengths to recreate the aura of days gone by and the teachers and students rose to the occasion.

Resplendent in their respective house colours the athletes began with a spectacular march past and kept up a high level of competitiveness and organization throughout the day.

Forty Field Events had been held a few days earlier at the YMCA Ground and from the points won in these events by the respective houses, it already seemed to be a two horse race between Butler and Etheridge Houses.

Sports Day at "Bourda" was an exciting program of forty six events which was enjoyed by the athletes and supporters alike. After a long day of intense competition the athletes of Butler House emerged the overall winners. Gold, Silver and Bronze Medals were awarded to all winners of individual events. These medals were sponsored by the Toronto Chapter of the Alumni Association and were much appreciated by all the athletes.

RESULTS

The Points Table for individual Houses was as follows -: BUTLER ETHERIDGE GALTON WELD 878 Points 829 Points 756 Points 590 Points Senior Champion Athletes BOYS C. Chapman (Etheridge) GIRLS T. Garnett (Galton) Junior Champion Athletes BOYS R. Deonarine (Butler) GIRLS E. Milner(Etheridge)

GIRLS UNDER 12 Event 1st Metric 2nd Metric 3rd Metric 100m E. Milner (E) 15.33 N. Cromwell (G) 15.69 E. Parris (E) 17.97 200m E. Milner (E) 33.3 N. Cromwell (G) 35.0 E. Parris (E) 41.6 400m N. Cromwell (G) 1:34.8 E. Milner (E) 1:38.7 E. Parris (E) 1:42.4 Discus K. Gopaul (B) 29.4m Z. Perterkin (G) 26.6m E. Milner (E) 21.6m High E. Parris (E) 80 cm E. Milner (E) 75 cm Jump Long E. Milner (E) 10’ 11” N. Cromwell (G) 8’ 11” E. Parris (E) 8’ 2” Jump BOYS UNDER 12 100m A. Burke (B) 14.63 R. Deonarine (B) 15.01 S. Noel (G) 15.31 200m R. Deonarine 31.9 A. Burke (B) 32.9 S. Noel (G) 33.3 (B) 400m R. Deonarine 1:34.3 S. Noel (G) 1:34.3 A. Hoosein (E) 1:48.3 (B) Discus K. Salaru (G) 40.5m A. Burke (B) 38.6m J. Barnes (G) 36.7m Shot K. Salaru (G) 14'0" R. Deonarine (B) 11'0" S. Noel (G) 10'4" Javelin K. Salaru (G) 14.30m A. Hoosein (E) 9.70m R. Deonarine (B) 9.60m Long R. Deonarine 12'1" S. Noel (G) 11'7" A. Burke (B) 11'4" Jump (B) High R. Deonarine 1.15m S. Noel (G) 1.10m A. Hoosein (E) 1.10m Jump (B)

Continued

GIRLS UNDER 14 Event 1st Metric 2nd Metric 3rd Metric 100m W. Stanford (B) 14.5 N. Logan (G) 15.2 S. Barton (W) 15.7 200m N. Logan (G) 32.0 C. Britton (G) 32.6 W. Stanford (B) 33.3 400m R. Seepaul (B) 1:20.5 L. Graham (W) 1:23.9 A. Peters (E) 1:24.1 800m A. Peters (E) 2:47.5 L. Graham (W) 2:50.5 S. John (E) 2:56.0 1500m A. Peters (E) 8:17.2 C. Britton (G) 8:32.3 S. John (E) 9:06.4 Long S. Phillips 11'11" M. Munroe 11'7" F. Mohamed 11'0" Jump Javelin W. Stanford (B) 16.70m T. Archer (B) 13.80m S. Bennette (W) 10.90m Shot B. Gordon (E) 16'8" T. Archer (B) 16'5" R.James (G) 15'0" Discus W. Stanford (B) 58'0" T. Archer (B) 47'3" R.James (G) 45'4" High N. Logan (G) 1.15m D. Chester (B) 1.15m A. Boodie (E) 1.15m Jump 800m (B) 2:27.0 (E) 2:32.1 (G) 2:40.0 Medley BOYS UNDER 14 100m K. Edwards (W) 14.5 T. Spencer (B) 15.1 A. Singh (W) 15.4 200m T. Spencer (B) 29.2 N. Gordon (W) 29.4 K. Edwards (W) 29.8 400m J. Hinds (B) 1:11.9 G. Handover (W) 1:12.7 D. Boyce (E) 1:14.3 800m N. Gordon (W) 3:08.4 L. Wilson (E) 3:13.1 O.Danram (B) 3:16.2 1500m D. Boyce (E) 6:12.3 J. Hinds (B) 6:14.6 O.Danram (B) 6.21.0 25.10 Javelin L. Wilson (B) R. Wilson (B) 24.60m L. Wilson (E) 24.50m m Shot A. Singh (W) 23'0" K. Higgins (E) 19'0" R. Wilson (B) 19'0" Discus T. Spencer (B) 59'0 S. Tamand (E) 53'9 K. Higgins (E) 53'6 4x400m (G) 5:31.6 (E) 5:46.7 (W) 6:60.2 Open Long T. Spencer (B) N. Gordon (W) 13’8”6 13'8"5 L. Wilson (E) 13'8" Jump D.Carter (E) High N. Gordon (W) 1.36m R. Wilson (B) 1.36m K. Lewis (E) 1.33m Jump 1500m (W) 4:52.4 (E) 5:09.1 (B) 5:25.3 Medley

Continued

GIRLS UNDER 16 Event 1st Metric 2nd Metric 3rd Metric 100m K. Bess (E) 12.0 R. Matthias (E) 12.3 S. Klass (W) 12.5 200m R. Matthias (E) 30.8 K. Bess (E) 31.1 T. Bowman (W) 32.1 400m R. Matthias (E) 1:12.3 T. Bowman (W) 1:16.5 K. Bess (E) 1:17.8 800m T.Bowman (W) 2:39.8 M. Edwards (W) 2:40.0 V. Gonny (G) 2:51.4 1500m T.Bowman (W) 7:38.7 M. Edwards (W) 7:40.2 V. Younge (G) 7:38.5 Shot M. Jordon (E) 16'7" S. Heyliger (W) 15'8" S. Britton (B) 13'7" Javelin N. Richards (E) 15.10m T.Bowman (W) 12.30m C. Samuels (G) 12.00m Discus R. James (G) 41'8" T. Hytmiah (B) 39'4" N. Richards (E) 39'2" Long K. Braithwaite A. Harris (W) 12'5" K. Bess (E) 12'4" 11'9" Jump (G) High A. Harris (W) 1.28m J. Rutherford (G) 1.21m O. Bess (G) 1.15m Jump BOYS UNDER 16 100m C. Chapman (E) 14.4 M. Harris (B) 15.0 R. Jordon (B) 15.4 200m M. Harris (B) 25.6 C. Chapman (E) 26.1 B. Pindar (E) 27.0 400m C. Chapman (E) 1:02.8 J. Scott (E) 1:04.1 R. St. Hill (W) 1:04.9 800m G. Simon (G) 3:02.6 E. Evans (B) 3:19.9 D. Moffel (B) 3:20.2 1500m E. Evans (B) 6:07.4 G. Simon (G) 6:08.7 R. Sawh (E) 6:19.4 Shot R. Jordan (B) 26'9" H. Moore (E) 23’10" R. DosSantos (B) 19'3" Discus E. Evans (B) 69'3" H. Moore (E) 60'2" R. St. Hill (W) 59'6" Javelin M. Harris (B) 32.93m M. Rasheed (G) 32.30m E. Evans (B) 28.17m Long C. Chapman (E) 17'2" J.Scott (E) 17'0" M. Pertab (B) 16'5" Jump High J.Scott (E) 1.60m B. Pinder (E) 1.60m K. Carter (B) 1.60m Jump

Continued

GIRLS UNDER 20 Event 1st Metric 2nd Metric 3rd Metric N. Thompson 100m 14.7 N. Joseph (G) 14.9 R. Boyer (G) 15.4 (B) 200m N. Joseph (G) 31.7 M. Washington (G) 31.8 M. Archer (B) 32.0 400m T. Garnett (G) 1:11.5 L. Pratt (G) 1:18.2 N. Thompson (B) 1:19.5 800m T. Garnett (G) 2:32.3 C. Hunte (E) 2:32.6 T. Sarabo (E) 2:33.0 1500m T. Garnett (G) 6:59.4 S.Jones (W) 7:15.8 L. Graham (W) 7:28.8 15.80 15.70 Javelin D. Ritchie (W) 18.70m A. Alii (G) C. Hunte (E) m m Shot A. Wright (B) 18'5" S. Braithwaite (G) 18'2" N. McKend (G) 16'5" Discus S. Braithwaite 67'9" N. McKend (G) 63'9" A. Wright (B) 55'5" (G) Long T. Garnett (G) 14'6" R. Boyer (G) 14'2" M. Archer (B) 13'4" Jump 4x100m (G) 1:01.8 (B) 1:03.5 (W) 1:04.2 Open BOYS UNDER 20 100m K. Brumell (E) 11.5 N. Wharton (E) 11.6 C. Macintosh (B) 11.9 200m S. Harris (B) 24.5 K. Brumell (E) 25.1 C. Macintosh (B) 25.4 400m S. Harris (B) 56.0 U. Anderson (B) 1:00.1 C. Harris (G) 1:03.7 800m M. Stevenson 2:32.21 C. Harris (G) 2:32.58 A. Bailey (G) 2:32.96 (B) 1500m D. Johnson (B) 5:45.7 A. Freduery (E) 5:49.9 D. Moffet (B) 6:26.0 Javelin T. George (G) 32.70m U. Anderson (B) 32.20m K. Belfield (B) 32.03m Shot C. McEwen (B) 27'8" R. Singh (E) 27'7" C. Macintosh (B) 27'2" Discus L. Williams (G) 62'0" K. Belfield (B) 58'0" S. Bell (E) 53'0" Long K. Brumell (E) 20'8" S. Harris (B) 19'7" J. Kendall (B) 18'9" Jump 4x100m (B) 49.4 (B) 50.6 (E) 54.9 Open 4x400m (B) 4:09.1 (E) 4:24.7 (G) 4:34.9 Open

Continued

Female Teacher Event 1st Metric 2nd Metric 3rd Metric 80m U. Branche (B) 9.78 A. Allicock (B) 10.2 A. Mohammad (B) 10.5 Male Teacher 100m B. Adonis (E) 12.2 C. Johnson (E) 12.4 R.Fleming (W) 12.8 Tug-O-War (E) (G) (W) March Past (E) 27.5Pts (B) 26.5Pts (W) / (G) 26.0Pts

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Photo Finish

Javelin Throw Long Jump

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St. Stanislaus College, one hundred and forty years old (1866-2007), is a Senior Secondary School owned and managed by the Government of Guyana through the Ministry of Education. In 2005, a Board of Governors was set up to manage the College in its entirety, viz. maintenance and repairs, day to day operations, including hiring and firing of staff (except for HM and OHM). It receives an annual subvention to cover budgeted expenses and the wages and salaries of staff, but must raise any additional' funds. The College aims at imparting to students intellectual, technical and social skills and forming citizens who are imbued with reverence of God, and a spirit of love for their country.

The philosophy of the school - "to ensure that staff and students work singularly and collectively towards the full social and academic upliftment of the College and the country as a whole" is linked to the school's Motto 'Aeterna Non Caduca' - 'Not for this life only but for Eternity'. The school offers an education that emphasises academic excellence and respect for all; it aims at fostering cooperation, a spirit of sharing, caring and working for the good of all.

The school year, divided into three terms, commences in September and ends in July of the following year. There are thirty nine school weeks in an academic year; each week has thirty five periods, that is, seven periods per day, with each period lasting forty minutes. School assembles at 8.50 a.m. and dismisses at 3 p.m. There is a morning break from 10.20 a.m. to 10.40 a.m. and lunch break from 12.00 to 12.50 p.m.

Admission to the school is normally throught the Secondary Schools Entrance Examination. The normal five years’ course of studies leads to the Secondary Education Certificate Examination (CXC Examinations) and the G.C.E. (London) Ordinary Level. There is a further two years for the G.C.E. Advanced level (London) and/or the Caribbean Examinations Proficiency Examination (C.A.P.E.).

Departments in the School: Home Economics, Ind strial Arts, Science, Languages, Social Studies, Mathematics, Business, Agricultural Science, Allied Arts. The school curriculum includes Mathematics, English Language, English Literature, Spanish, French, Social Studies, History, Geography, Agriculture Science, Principles of Accounts, Principles of Business, Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Integrated Science, Art, Physical education, Music, Food and Nutrition, Home Management, Clothing and Textiles, Technical Drawing, Mechanical Engineering Technology, Electricity, Electronics and Information Technoloqy.

Sports play an integral part in the lives of students. On the College premises in Brickdam, there are facilities for playing basketball, volleyball, badminton and table te nis. The College playground in Carifesta Avenue provides facilities for cricket, football, hockey, circle tennis and athletics. Both boys and girls participate actively in games. Scouting is also offered for boys and girls. There is a Bible Club, an Islamic Society and a Hindu Society, adding a touch of religious flavour to the lives of students.

Many of the sporting activities, elocution competitions and debates are conducted on a House basis; there are four Houses: Butler, Etheridge, Galton and Weld.

The school is ably assisted by parents, individuals, the St. Stanislaus College Association, and the Toronto, , Barbados and the Antigua and Barbuda Chapters of the College Association.

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