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Posted: Thursday 15 January, 2015 at 10:17 AM

A nostalgic founder’s day service

Chairperson Greta Foreman
By: Lorna Callender, Press Release

    January 15th, 2015  --  BETWEEN 80 to 100 past students of the former Girls’ High School gathered at the Wesley Methodist Church, Basseterre on the evening of Tuesday 23rd December 2014 to commemorate the 85th anniversary of the founding of their School.

     

    As this was a significant anniversary (85th), some commemorative events were held in December instead of October to embrace those past students who were returning home for Christmas family reunions.

    This was a vintage GHS Service and it reeked with nostalgia; there was the symbolic lamp – the High School emblem – which was ‘lit’ by five past students to recapture the values all students were expected practice...this took place every morning at Assembly in times past; classic GHS hymns were interspersed between the lamplighting ceremonies and there was the singing of the School Song which never needs to be rehearsed. 

    The past students taking part in the lamplighting recollections were: Irma Ottley – reminding us to be ready to serve; Dorothy Martin... reminding that our work is to scatter light; Irene Halliday...that we are lighted to lighten others; Doris Isles... reminding us to make ourselves ready to give of our best; and Marcella Byron-Baker...to let our light shine.

    Down memory lane students again went with the singing of the classic GHS hymns not regularly heard elsewhere but which reminded all of the School’s strong legacy of music. The hymns chosen were: “Lift Up Your Hearts”, “The Heaven’s Declare the Creator’s Glory”, “Who Would True Valour See”, “And Did Those Feet in Ancient Times”, “Hills of the North, Rejoice”, “Glorious Things of Thee Are Spoken”, “Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory” and those two familiar songs sung at the beginning and end of each term respectively – “Lord, Behold Us with Thy Blessing” and “Lord, Dismiss Us with Thy Blessing”.

    The hymns were all well remembered and some students lustily joined in with the descant as was done in those long past school days. Mrs. Lorna Shepherd-Richards, herself a past student, accompanied on the organ and was later thanked for being always ‘ready to serve’.  Mrs. Ruth Adams who was Secretary at the School for many many years was also singled out for honourable mention. 

    The Order of Service was warmly guided along by Chairperson Greta Seaton-Foreman who spiced her introductions with mini recollections of school history.

    Also included in the order of service were readings of the Old and New Testaments done by Dr. Eileen MacLachlan and Mrs. Viola Nisbett-Jacobs. Prayers of Thanksgiving and Help were led by Jillian Musgrave-Archibald.  A poetic tribute to Miss Pickard, Founder of the School was read by Lorna Nisbett-Callender.  She also read the first chapter of the book on Memories of the Girls’ High School that she is presently collating.  The first chapter was fittingly called “The Lamp – The High School Emblem”.
     
    Rev. Barbara Lake, also a past student, brought the message, reminding all how important it was to honour the School’s Motto – “Ready to Serve”.  Closing Prayers were rendered by Pastor Naomi Rawlings.
     
    After the Service refreshments were served at the Old Boys School now referred to as the Methodist School Hall and old school friends reminisced and laughed heartily  at ‘those good old times’.
     
    It was heart-warming to note that love and loyalty to the Girls’ High School are still held by past pupils of every generation.  The age of participating students at the Service ranged from over eighty to over 40. Forty seven years ago the Girls’ High School merged with the St. Kitts Nevis Grammar School to become the Basseterre High School but past students remain bonded, sharing a common School culture which is cherished to this day.
     
    The School is now referred to as ‘The School that refuses to die’ and to this end, an attempt is being made to ensure that there is a lasting legacy after the present students are no more. Contributions to this end are being solicited.

     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
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