1966 – Golden Jubilee

in 1966 - Golden Jubilee

Red, that is the house colour and that signifies danger. Here is a report of the activities of Scrimgeour House for the last year.   In table-tennis, the senior boys won their match, three sets to two, against Mackay House, but lost to them in cricket by a narrow margin (3 runs).   In rounders the senior girls lost both matches despite the sterling performance of vice—captain D. Chow-Wah, who made 115 runs in the match against Puglsey.   Scrimgeour House placed second on both occasions at the Annual School Sports meeting run off at the Mental Hospital Grounds. Our best athletes were B. Welch, F. Harris and S. Smith, and they must be commended for their performances. The excellent house spirit shown, and the resulting co—operation led to a successful party at the end of the Christmas term.   These qualities portrayed by members give an indication of great achievements from Scrimgeour House, and it is believed that this house will indeed be a true danger in every sphere of activity.   Those who held responsible positions in the house for 1965 – 1966 are:   Housemaster: Mr. L. C. Thompson Deputy Housemaster: Mr. T. LaFleur House Mistress: Miss P. Britton House Captain (Boy): S. Rohoman House Captain (Girl): E. Lachman   Those holding positions for 1966 – 1967:   Housemaster: Mr. T. LaFleur Deputy Housemaster: Mr. C. Lachman House Mistress: Miss K. Gajraj House Captain (Girl): E....

in 1966 - Golden Jubilee

House Master: Mr. P. Blunt Asst. House Teachers: Mrs. S. ReidMr. B. Mathoo House Captains: G. RajkumarMiss S. Beharri Vice-Captains: T. SinghMiss J. Fowler   It is with much pleasure that I submit this report on the activities of Beharry House. The house was formed at the beginning of the Christmas Term 1966, and so its achievements to date are few. A meeting was held at the beginning of the Christmas Term to elect officers for 1966-1967. House captains and vice-captains were elected, and also captains and vice-captains for sports activities. Apart from athletics, the sports captains have not had the opportunity to use their offices, as these sports have not yet been played. At the annual athletic sports meeting held at the Mental Hospital Grounds, Beharry House gave keen competition and was able to gain fourth place. This achievement could not have been possible had it not been for the athletes who gave of their best. Special mention should be made of Miss R. Khan (V C) and Miss A. Elgin (III A) who were champions in their particular age groups. In common with the other houses, we held a house party at Christmas time. Our party was held in the auditorium on December 16th. We provided various refreshments for the students, who ate their fill; and had a joyful time. The highlight of the evening’s proceedings were games which were introduced by the Housemaster, Mr. Blunt. The balloon game in particular made everyone shake with laughter. His other games, ‘making the mummy’ and others, were equally interesting and enjoyable. The party was a success. This was due to the combined efforts of the houseteachers and the prefects of the house. G. D. Rajkumar,House Captain...

in 1966 - Golden Jubilee

KEY TO PASSES F – French C – Chemistry L – Latin B – Biology E – English Language A – Art E. Lit. – English Literature H – History M – Elementary Mathematics Br. C – Bristish Constitution G – Geography S – Spanish Scr. – Scripture ( ) Number of subjects already passed P – Physics [ ] Number of subjects this time   VA: Girls Annief, B. S. (2) B, C, E, L, M Autin, F. (4) E, S Baksh, K. (3) B, C, E, L, M Behari, S. (3) B, C, E Cameron, H.   B, C, E, M, P Choo-Son, D. (4) B, C, E, M Craigwell, J. (4) B, C, E, L, M Crandon, M. (3) B, C, E, M, P Gajraj, I. (4) B, C, M, P Khatoon, S. (4) B, C Lachman, E. (3) B, C, E, L Latchana, Y. (4) B, C, E Mooksang, S. (5) B, C, E, M, P Noel, P. (3) B, C, E, L Ramlall, A.   C, E, M, P   VA: Boys Bahadur, R. (2) B, C, E, H Beharry, S. (3) B, C, E, M, P Bishop, R. (4) B, C, E, M, P Hookumchand, R. (3) B, C, H Lowe, R. (4) B, C, E, M, P Rohoman, S. (3) B, C, E, M, P Walrond, G. (4) B, C, E, L, M, P Singh, D. (5) B, C, L, P   VA II Girls Benons. C.   Scr. Khan, K. (3) E, L, H, M, A Kanhai, S. (1) E, G Martin, F.   E. Lit., Scr Mursaline, Z.   M Sookram, C.   E, H, G Thomas, A.   B, E, L, H Tiwari, A. (2) E, H Taylor, B.   Scr.   VA II Boys Mathura, T.   B, H, M, Scr. Persaud, K.   M, Scr. Poonai, A.   L, Scr. Roopansingh. L.   M, Scr. Somersell, G.   B, E, E. Lit., H, Scr. Tullah, N.   B, E, M, Scr. Jadoo, L.   H, Scr., Br. C Sookraj, N.   B, H, G, Scr., Br. C   V Girls Anniei, B. F.   B, Scr. Bacchus, S.   Scr. Khan, K.   E, E. Lit., H...

in 1966 - Golden Jubilee

On September 5th, 1916, the Berbice High School for Boys was established in a modest way on the ground floor of the residence occupied by Rev. J. A. Scrimgeour, BA. Mr. C. A. Pugsley was the first Headmaster who laid the foundation of the instructional programme of the school. The first pupils enrolled on this historic day were nine in number, and on this day of the Handing over of the School to the Government, the enrollment is 741 pupils. Its aim was to prepare boys for the important tasks of life, to seek after truth and righteousness and to build a character worthy of emulation by others. In a report of the Daily Argosy of September 8th 1916, there appeared the following statement: "The courageous venture upon which the British Guiana Mission of the Canadian Presbyterian Church has embarked in New Amsterdam will be watched with greatest interest and sympathy by all whom have paid any attention to the educational problems of this colony. The High School which has been opened, although interested primarily for East Indians, makes no stipulation as to race or creed. Its purpose is to provide in the county of Berbice a public Secondary School." Only time was necessary to realise these high ideals of the School and prove true the prophecy as contained in the last sentence of the statement that appeared in the column of the Daily Argosy.   From this humble beginning in an enrollment of 9 pupils, the number of students grew until there was need for a separate building. This project was embarked upon with high hopes. These hopes were not in vain, for, with the generosity of the public and the Government, the first section of this building was opened in February 1918. Work continued on this project and in 1920 the building, known as the 'Boys Building', was completed.   So encouraging was this venture that the Canadian Mission Council of the Presbyterian Church of Canada established a School for Girls. It was housed in the lower flat of the Missionary's Residence and was under the charge of Mrs. McLeod, wife of the Minister. It was not until the Church acquired the "Brick Building" that Miss McKay...

in 1966 - Golden Jubilee

January 16, 1967, was a very important day for Berbice High School. On that day the school passed over to the complete control of the Government after fifty years of ownership by the Canadian Presbyterian Church. At the golden-jubilee and formal handing over ceremony the Minister of Education announced that Berbice High School will now have a status similar to that of Queens College and Bishops' High School.   In accepting the school on behalf of the Government, Mrs. Winifred Gaskin, Education Minister, said, "Entry in this school will be achieved by performance and Free place winners who are placed highest on the list at the Common Entrance Examination and by Berbice secondary school students who qualify well at the first sitting of the G.C.E Ordinary Level." After announcing the higher standards, Mrs. Gaskin added, "I wish to make it unequivocally clear that these and only these qualifications will be accepted for entry in the Berbice High School from now on."   The ceremony, attended by prominent people from Guyana and overseas, as well as parents and students, was held at the Town Hall, New Amsterdam. There was standing room only as hundreds came to witness the important event and hear a long list of imposing speakers.   That morning B.H.S. students and staff had worked feverishly preparing the campus grounds for the upcoming celebration. Unfortunately, heavy rains cancelled all their efforts and the venue had to be changed at the last moment to the Town Hall.   The opening of the historical occasion at the Town Hall was marked by devotions conducted by Rev. W. L. Jagnandan, Minister of the Guyana Presbyterian Church at Port Mourant, and an old boy of the Berbice High School. He was followed by another old-boy, Mr. S. F. Carew, now Chairman of the Board of Governors of B.H.S.  Mr. Carew extended a very hearty welcome to the dignitaries on the stage, as well as to parents and friends in the audience.   The Hon. W. O. R. Kendall, Minister of Health and Housing. was the next to come to the podium. The Minister has always been interested in the welfare of the school, and on many occasions has urged Government to provide...

in 1966 - Golden Jubilee

A lot has happened to Berbice High School in fifty years. In 1916, at few Canadian misisonary teachers gathered a small band of students in a modest building and bravely called it Berbice High School. These teachers had a vision and a purpose. The vision was a top rate educational institute for the young people of Berbice, and the purpose was to educate young people for life as well as for academic excellence.   Now see what has happened fifty years later! Instead of a few missionary teachers there is a large Guyanese staff. The small band of students has been replaced by hundreds of young people representing all the races in the Berbice area.  The modest building has given way to modern schoolrooms, fine equipment, an up-to-date laboratory and all the teaching aids necessary for a sound education.   Those fifty years represent a triumph for the founders and teachers, the well—wishers and students who wrote the history of the school.  We know the names which leap into our minds as we review the Old Boys and Girls who have passed through here during the past half century. Names which represent the best in Guyana’s life and culture; people who have carved the shape of this society, some of whom still live to pay tribute to the basic moulding of character and mind their old school gave them.   Yes, the past fifty years have been glorious. But need the next fifty be less than that? Not at all! As Berbice High School enters its second half century the prospects are unlimited. Government has promised that B.H.S. will receive its aid to become the "Queens" of Berbice. The future will surely see an expansion of facilities in terms of buildings and equipment. And added to this we are living in the most exciting age of history, in the midst of amazing social, scientific and technological development. It can be a great second half century for B.H.S.   We of the Presbyterian Church in Canada who represent the founders of this school rejoice in the past fifty years of your history.  We are thankful to God for what He allowed us to do, and for all that He did...