School Magazine

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...

in 1968 - 1969

At the end of this term our Principal will be leaving.  His thirteenth year as Principal will terminate Mr. Beharry's career at Berbice High School – an outstanding career spanning twenty-three years.  During this time he has given dedicated service and has worked indefatiguably in the education of pupils.   He taught a wide variety of subjects including English Language, History, English Literature, Geography, Mathematics and Latin, and has been mainly responsible for the consistently good performances in English at the G.C.E 'O' Level Exam.   Not only has he done a remarkable job in the academic field; he has also encouraged genius in the field of sports and, particularly in recent times, in cultural activities.  It is indeed the end of an eventful period and in the following interview, I learnt how Mr. Beharry felt about it.   Myself: Sir, have you enjoyed your stay at B.H.S? Mr. Beharry: Most certainly.  It has been a pleasure to work with such students and teachers as I have been associated with.  This is due in large measure to the splendid co-operation I have recieved from my staff throughout the years.   Myself: How do you feel about leaving after such a long period of association with the school? Mr. Beharry: I am a bit grieved at leaving because I have become strongly attached to the school.  I don't know if I'll receive the same pleasure and satisfaction eleswhere.   Myself: Sir, you have been teaching for so many years.  Have you any special reason? Mr. Beharry: Well, I have a natural liking for teaching.  Long ago I had a strong desire for education and it is probably the vicarious feeling in later years that made me feel destined to teach.  I like to see my students acquire a good education and not to waste their time.  Consequently, I have been a strict disciplinarian and this policy has brought very good results.  My students have shown their appreciation in later years.   Myself: Do you think that the youngsters of today have changed much in their attitudes from those of fifteen years ago? Mr. Beharry: Yes. The youngsters of fifteen years ago showed more politeness and courtesy.  Now the youngsters come from...

in 1968 - 1969

House Master: Mr. Greaves Assistants: Mr. Cadawalladar   Miss. Dorsett   Mrs. Sandford House Captains: L. James   Miss Khan   Last year Scrimgeour House won the Athletic Cup due to the sterling efforts of the senior and junior members of the athletic team.  The margin by which Scrim geour won was not a wide one because we did not have entrants in some events.   Special mention must be made of the senior girls athlete Miss B. Welch and the senior boy J. Poonal who either won or placed in every event in which they took...