BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – OVER forty past pupils of the former Girls’ High School (GHS) gathered at the St. George’s Anglican Church on Sunday 20th October, 2013 for an Anniversary Service, commemorating the 84th year since the founding of the School
Though it is some forty seven years ago since the Girls’ High School merged with the Grammar School to become the Basseterre High School, yet past pupils of GHS look forward to these mini-reunions to meet and greet their former schoolmates and to give thanks for an educational experience they still treasure.
The school song ‘Forty Years On’ with its “Follow up” chorus is still sung with the same gusto as was done in the school hall fifty and sixty years ago, and many past pupils nowadays remark that they only now understand the particular final verse which reads:
“Forty years on, getting older and older
Shorter in wind as in memory long;
Feeble of foot and rheumatic of shoulder
What will it help you that once you were strong?” etc
However, since age has nothing to do with the spirit of camaraderie that the School engendered, there were many hugs and smiles and “good to see you’s” when, after the Service, the ‘old girls’ gathered for a celebratory Brunch at Manhattan Gardens in Lime Kiln.
Peals of laughter could be heard coming from the individual tables as doctors, lawyers, retired principals, retired executives, business owners and revered pastors were all reduced in conversation to the mischief they created in the presence of their long suffering teachers.
But, still mindful of their teaching, of the awareness that School and community must always be interwoven, and of their School motto ‘Ready to Serve’, the students also set about airing plans to create a Foundation to keep the School’s name alive and also to give back to the community some of what they had been so privileged to receive.
Plans were also aired to have “home gatherings” during the Christmas season when many past pupils return home and initial preparations were discussed for the School’s 85th anniversary which takes place next year.
The spirit of the School was further resurrected with the singing of ‘Lord, dismiss us with thy blessing’ (as was done at the end of each term) to close the enjoyable Brunch session. Good fellowship, good conversation and a tasty Brunch enabled all to return home satiated and satisfied.
Past pupils abroad are also strengthening their ties of friendship and school culture with the formation of a Facebook Group (www.facebook.com/GHS). The group was created “to share experiences, network, keep in touch, have fun and reminisce”. It presently consists of 81 members. All former students are invited and welcome to join.
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