The Mighty Scatliffe Primary School Celebrates 25 Years

Students of the Althea Scatliffe Primary School rejoice and sing at the at the commemoration ceremony of the 25th anniversary of the Althea Scatliffe Primary School held at the Sir Rupert Briercliffe on October 31st. (Aldrin Rabsatt/GIS)

The ceremony was held last Friday at the Sir Rupert Briercliffe Hall.  Deputy Premier Honourable Dancia Penn Sallah, OBE, QC, told the gathering although it was only 25 years ago that the name Althea Scatliffe was given to a primary school, it was not the first time that there was a primary school in Road Town.  “Part of what we celebrate today is the 25th anniversary of the naming of one of our primary schools in honour of one of the finest daughters of our soil,” she said.

The Deputy Premier said she read from one of the primary schools’ Social Studies textbook that Ms. Althea Scatliffe was a teacher who devoted her time and talent to help create a better society.  

“Having the school named after Ms. Scatliffe and celebrating the 25th anniversary of that naming is a historic event,” she said, adding, “what is very clear is that whoever made the decision to begin to name schools and other public buildings and institutions in our country after individuals have done a great work of service.”

Deputy Premier, Hon. Dancia Penn Sallah, OBE, QC, and Minister of Education and Culture Hon. Andrew Fahie are joined by other officials and educators as they sing songs of praises at the commemoration of the 25th anniversary of the Althea Scatliffe Primary School held at the Sir Rupert Briercliffe on October 31st. (Aldrin Rabsatt/GIS)

Minister of Education and Culture Honourable Andrew Fahie said whenever there is an anniversary you have celebration, introspection and reflection.  “Students, today you are standing on the shoulders of other great leaders at the Althea Scatliffe Primary School building,” he said.

”The Althea Scatliffe Primary School is each one of you who are standing and teaching in it now and those who attended and taught there then. 

The school is not a building, it reflects a history of what each of you have done with your life and what each teacher has done in the school,” the Minister said.

Minister Fahie told the gathering the occasion is a celebration of all the principals who have contributed to the development of this institution: Mr. Obed McField Malone who was the first principal; Mrs. Eugenie Glasgow; Mrs. Kirlin Lettsome, and the present principal of the school Mr. Gordon Callender, respectively.  “Each of them in their own right was very successful because they kept the school moving from strength to strength so that today you have a Mighty Althea Scatliffe,” he said.

~~Adz:Right~~ Principal Callender thanked those persons who in one way or another have contributed to the development of the school.  “Twenty-five years have passed where many past principals, teachers, custodial workers, guardians and parents have worked hard and remained committed to bring the school from good to great and we plan to move on from great to excellent,” he said.

Acting Chief Education Officer Dr. Marcia Potter also congratulated the school for achieving this great milestone.  “Your school has made many strides and I know that you are all proud of your accomplishments and I encourage you to continue working hard and continue moving from good to great to excellent,” she said.

The late Althea Scatliffe commenced her teaching career in 1910.  She retired in 1954 after 44 years as an educator.  The Althea Scatliffe Primary school was named in her honour in October of 1983.