SLICE OF LIFE – Back to school at Ellerslie
Former teacher Stanton Jordan (centre) chatting with former students Jeanette Forde (left) and Kathryn Chatawan.
Tue, July 27, 2010 - 12:05 AM
It had all the marks of school. The “students” looked very much like youngsters too. This was the scene at the Ellerslie Secondary School reunion last Saturday after sundown.
The operations at the entrance were much like it would be on a normal school day. As we entered, the presence of disciplinary slips caught our attention. One slip read: “Detention for lateness. Write 1 000 lines ‘I must be punctual for school at all times’”; another read: “Late slip. Report to the headteacher’s office”.
The ringing of the school bell to announce the start of school; the procession of students to the school hall; the singing of the National Anthem and the school song all created the right ambience as the uniformed students demonstrated reverence and love for their school.
The most touching aspect of this re-enactment was the passionate singing of the school song, particularly the second verse which made this proclamation:
O Ellerslie! O Ellerslie!
Generous alma mater benign
O Ellerslie! O Ellerslie!
You nurture and imbue the mind.
Sons and daughters in their station
Will find deep pride in this our nation
And torches be diffusing light
Beacons fair for those pursuing right.
Former teachers were part of the nostalgia. Stanton Jordan, recently retired head of the foreign languages department, was among those present. Judging by the accolades heaped upon him, it was obvious that he was a popular teacher in his time.
His adoring students marvelled at the absence of grey hair and his still youthful appearance.
37 years in teaching
Jordan told us he had been a teacher at the school for 37 years.
“This is the only place I have worked since leaving Harrison College,” he quipped.
The boldly displayed tags exposed the year the students graduated from school.
Pastor John Yarde of the Westmoreland Nazarene Church proudly pointed to his tag with the year 1972. He was open to discussion, informing us that he was among the first students who entered the Black Rock educational institution in 1966.
Doreen Prescod, a teacher at Lester Vaughn School, was also one of the first students to enter the school and she reminisced with Yarde about life under the leadership of the first principal, the late Cuthbert Brathwaite.
Among their peers was Professor Eudine Barriteau, the current deputy principal of the Cave Hill Campus of the University of the West Indies.
President of the Alumni Association, Wayne Collymore-Taylor, who is now an engineer assistant at the Barbados Water Authority, was also among the early students, having entered Ellerslie in 1967.
He, along with Vilma Scantlebury Bradshaw, whom he praised for the initiative, was the driving force behind the reunion.
Groundsman for the last 36 years, St Clair Cadogan, was exuberant as he spoke of the successes of the school, especially in cricket.
He commented on his nurturing role with the students and proudly noted the achievements of alumni who represented the West Indies cricket team, including Carlisle Best, Philo Wallace, Sherwin Campbell, Otis Gibson and Suleiman Benn.
He was also quick to point out that the school had also produced outstanding national hockey and volleyball players.
One of the outstanding hockey players to whom Cadogan referred was Tyrone Walkes, present at the reunion and who informed us that he started playing hockey at age 11 and worked his way up to the Barbados senior team. He is now a member of the Maple hockey team.
Some aspect of Crop-Over was bound to emerge and this happened when Makeda Hart, a tutor at the Barbados Community College’s hotel school, spoke glowingly of her sister, Pic-O-De Crop semi-finalist Malika Hart.
“I was proud of her. This was her first time and she will get seasoned,” Makeda said.
Meanwhile, the old scholars kept coming, keeping the gatekeepers busy at the grand reunion.
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It was excellent, I had a BALL…........fantastic, and I must say to look at all those “school children”, made the memories even better…..JUST FANTASTIC
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Comment LinkExcellent article. Ellerslie is the same age as Barbados; therefore, our history is a symbol of the pride Barbados has. We have risen from the simple status of “Brown Cows” and we have a lot to live up to as Ellerslie LEGENDS.
I am proud to be an Ellerslie LEGEND. Go ELLERSLIE!!!!!
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Comment LinkSorry I missed it. Mr. Jordan does look the same!! Ellerslie was a great educational experience!!
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Comment LinkDon’t let the Minister of Education see wunna.
Ya know how he feels about adults in the “sacred” school uniforms.
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Comment LinkWe salute you Ellerslie my school, I am proud to be old scholar of Ellerslie, i will like to take the opportunity to thank all my former Teachers for your teachings and to my former classmates a big hello and may god bless you all and to Ellerslie keep up producing the best as you always do.
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Comment LinkI am proud to be an Ellerslie Legend,Ellerslie mold and shape us and made us who we are,today i stand tall and greatful for what Ellerslie have done for me,three cheers for Ellerslie,Ellerslie,Ellerslie.
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Comment LinkThe reunion was a wonderful idea. How often is it held?
I was among the original group of students that entered Ellerslie back in the late sixties. and I have always wondered if there would ever be such an occasion. I left Ellerslie at the ripe old age of 17 and immigrated to the US where I’ve been living for the past 40 years.
My only suggestion is that the next time, the organizers reach out to all Ellerslians, Even those that do not live in Barbados. Suggestion u might want to put an ad in the NATION, I do read the Nation online. As one of the first students I would have loved to be there. May God continue to bless Barbados and all Bajans.
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Comment LinkREADING THIS ARTICLE BRING SUCH SMILES .FORMER STUDENT FROM THE LATE 70s LIVING IN NY.IF ONLY I CAN BE A KID AGAIN ELLERSLIE WILL BE MY FIST CHOICE.CHEERS FOR MR JORDAN PASS AND PRESENT HEADMASTER AND TEACHERS,BECAUSE OF YOUR GUIDANCE VALUES YOU"ll ALWAYS HAVE SPECIAL PLACE IN MY HEART.GOD BLESS.
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Comment Linkiam with you on that suggestion jeffrey,i attented Ellerslie from 71 to 76 and i must say that it was a wonderful learning experience. that leather strap mr brathwaite kept in his office kept alot of us in line. up the good work Ellerslie.
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Comment LinkFirst i want to thank vilma for allowing me to help out,and second it was just so nice to see everyone turn out and looking sharp in their uniforms it was a wonderful night meeting old friends i truly enjoyed myself,THANKS ELLERSLIE LEGENDS THANKS.
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Comment Linkwhat a time we had i really felt like i was back in school fa real, meeting my friends i haven’t seen 4 over 28 yrs was something else, especially lavonne roberts, she still look the same nothing about her has change she bought back memories of those running days, god bless and keep u sweety, and as 4 the feelin of seeing my favourite teachers like miss boyce as i know her (don’t know her marry name but respect due), mr. jordan (senor bones) oh oh,miss porte, man i tell u that was somethin else, but i hope it wont be long b 4 we meet again, kudos the planning committee
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Comment LinkSaturday’s event was SPECTACULAR!!!!!! It was really great seeing everyone.
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Comment LinkExcellent article; it captures the magic and pride I felt as I walked through those hallowed gates. I must thank the organizers tremendously for giving me the opportunity to connect with some persons I had not seen for years, as well as to meet some I met later in life and had no idea they were also Ellerslians.
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Comment LinkI always refer to Ellerslie as Ellerslie College. I proudly graduated from Ellerslie with high morals and virtues. Sadly Mr.Brathwaite’s lectures on tardiness did not sink in. I don’ be early fuh nutten. I am happy to see the old scholars getting back together. I am sorry I missed it, and will try to make the next big event. Keep up the good work old scholars, and make wise use of you time. Hello to all my old friends.
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Comment LinkKudos to the organizers of this event. Sorry I wasn’t aware of it beforehand. Please keep it going and take advantage of the many social networks available to spread the word. When is the next event?
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Comment LinkELLERSLIE IS THE BEST SCHOOL IN BIM. although i no longer go to school there i am still proud to be a past student at the school.
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Comment LinkIt was superrrrrrrrrr….... Vilma et al…..CONGRATS!!!!!! That was awesome planning…..
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Comment LinkI taught at Ellerslie when it was still being built in 2006 right out of Queens College.I remember there was no proper road so if it rained it was almost impossible to get to the school.I remember when Celeste another teacher who started the same time I did fell in the mud from head to toe and had to be cleaned up.
Hopefully the present students are as proud of the school as those who were at the school at that time.
Fond memories of Mr. Brathwaite,Mr. Isaacs,Mrs. Millington and many others.
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Comment LinkLooked like everyone had a great time seeing each other. Wish I was there, but maybe next time!
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Comment LinkI am blessed to been part of the reunion. It was a blast from the past. I am from the class of ‘84 of the college under the hill as they are two colleges in BARBADOS on on top the hill while the other in under. Am looking foward to the next meeting can’t wait.
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