I can’t remember how many sessions I have attended at my university’s Center for Teaching and Learning. I have benefitted tremendously, no doubt, and realize my limits when, sometimes I compare my exposure to these facilities with what some of our teachers back home had. And when I think of the stalwarts…one can only say that they were truly gifted. Rishi calls me the Huck Finn of the time, and Ingrid Merai calls me Tom Sawyer.  They are both correct in some way I guess…because while I was smart, I was really difficult to teach. It had to be a really good teacher that would grab my attention. And I remember those teachers with great respect and awe. Appalsamy, Samad, Jadunath, Naidu, (sadly I can’t remember the name of the diminutive math genius who taught me in fifth form)–were it not for these people, I would not have passed my exams….and I seriously mean that. (more…)

Legends do not die …

Rishi Singh
Brooklyn, NY

We are happy to announce that the two photos by our daughter Mrs. Devika Seecharran Levy will be on exhibit  at the OAS General Secretariat Building, 1889 F Street, NW, Washington, DC Terrace Level. The display will be on for the next three months and consists of 50 works of art.

Devika was employed by National Geography Magazine for over 13 years. She recently joined the staff of the World Bank. Photography is one of her hobbies.

 Jasmatty & Jai Seecharran

(more…)

Hmm … as I teach now, and get self-righteously angry when I see students bugging each other, playing pranks etc, I remember when I was a student at CHS, there was one particular urchin who would do the most improbable things. I wish those days could return so I could really punish him. I remember one time he put a dead water snake under a girl’s panama hat–and her screams were heard all the way up on Mt. Olympus. JC came to investigate and even though the teacher’s (Miss Ramoo, I believe)  eyes were focused on the culprit, he got away with it. Then another time, he stole one of Chandi’s library books. McKenzie caught him. Then he would sit behind Farida Haroon and tug her hair, kick her chair–when he was on time out from bugging Yvette Boston and Cheryl Noel. Or bugging Goberdhan Singh.  Ah yes..the memories. Oopss…I just realized… I was that culprit. (more…)

“It’s only when you grow up, and step back from him, or leave him for your own career and your own home – it’s only then that you can measure his greatness and fully appreciate it.”

The Minister of Education, Hon. Shaik Baksh, was updated on the activities of the CHS-JCCSS Alumni and has promised to meet with our members at his office in Brickdam, Georgetown when we visit Guyana later this year.  He, along with Ms. Bhajan, the Regional Educational Director (REDO) for East Berbice (Region 6), will also be present when we meet with the CHS-JCCSS administration in Rose Hall.  In preparation for this meeting Mr. Baksh will direct Ms. Bhajan to revive the Parent Teachers Association as its participation is seen as pivotal to any project implementation, evaluation and feed-forward.

 We informed the Minister of a benefactor in New York who stands ready to provide twenty new desk top computers, a fax/printer, high speed internet connection, and adequate air conditioning for the computer lab at CHS-JCCSS.  Mr. Baksh mentioned that computer literacy in all high schools is becoming a high priority and that a special IT unit has been set up within his Ministry to monitor gifts of computers to the various schools in Guyana.  This unit also helps in clearing the equipment through the Guyana Customs. The matter of  security of equipment on the school premises was discussed. 

The Minister will instruct that the subscript “Formerly Corentyne High School”  be included on official letter-heads and documents so that current and future students and teachers become aware that Corentyne High School and JC Chandisingh High School are one and the same institution.

Minister Baksh was pleased to speak with us and asked that his gratitude be conveyed to every CHS-JCCSS alumnus for keeping the faith.  He was clearly impressed by our activism and looks forward to continued engagement with our group.

Our thanks to Peter Jaikarran (Class of 1971) for facilitating our discussion with Mr. Shaik Baksh who is currently in Toronto.

Estel and I have just returned from a few days with Kumari Jaisri (CHS grad. from about ‘65, formerly known as Ramjisingh) at her home in Kent. Whilst there we met up with Shireen Sankar (CHS teacher from the 60’s) who is now retired and also living in Kent. She sends her warmest regards to all her former colleagues and students, most of whom she remembers fondly. 

One photo is of Kumari, Shireen (centre) and Estel at Kumari’s home. We were also privileged that Kumari took us to visit the home of Winston Churchill at Chartwell (Estel is photographed with the house in the background) which is nowadays a National Trust property preserved for the Nation.

Also I have attached a photo of Estel and Kumari in the garden of General James Wolfe’s home (called Quebec House) in the same area. His name might be familiar to CHS grads who know their Canadian colonial history.

Best wishes,

David Ambler

Here is the most amazing rainbow I have ever seen, and boy, I have seen quite a few amazing ones out here, but this one takes the prize. I don’t know what it is about this particular spot in front of the house, but we get these complete rainbows all the time. This afternoon must be the ideal because the rain fell, then the sun peaked through, then it rained again, then the sun peaked through again, and after each rain and sun, a new rainbow came out, but this one was the best.

Natasha Melton

Mist of Time: Albion School Teachers (1964)

In this two-part mini-series, I will attempt to provide crisp biographic information on as many of the teachers as possible.  The first part will focus on the front row, and the second part will be on the back row.

·          Khemraj Persaud “Sham”  Ramkumar: Sham is the son of Mr.Ramkumar who owned a grocery store first in Plantation Albion Estate andlater in Belvedere Settlement.Sham later studied to be an accountant. He is the brother the late Dr. Bhoj Ramkumar, Chandra, and Shree. His Mom and Dad were very nurturing.His uncle, Seecomar, used to ask me general questions which made a visit to the grocery store an education. Sham has a wonderful personality.

·          Ivan Potiah is the son of Uncle Thomas. Ivan’s smile was captivating.He was an avid cricketer whose leg-breaks were fearsome to batsmen.Think about Ivan and you think about cricket.He lived behind my Bhowgie’s parents’ house in Chesney Road.

·          Indramattie Srinarain lived next to Mr.J.R. Latchmansingh in Nigg by Albion Bridge. I remember her as being quiet but charming.I think that she lives in England.

·          Kunti Mangru (deceased) is the sister of my classmate at CHS, Irene Mangru. She taught at that school for a long time since I was in preparatory class and she was already a teacher. She had captivating smile and was always well dressed. I eulogized her in absentia.

·          Olive Seepersaud was the daughter of  JR Lachmansingh and the sister of Irma, David, and Stanley (QC grad/CHS Master). She formerly taught me at JB Cropper Primary School before I transferred back to Albion School. I won one shilling in an oral spelling test she gave. I taught her son, Winston, at CHS. I met her in Port of Spain in the early 1980s.I think her daughter resides in Trinidad. She lived opposite the Police Station in a beautiful house.

·          Felicia Ramsammy: I REALLY DO NOT KNOW THIS CHARMING  YOUNG LADY.BUT KG TELLS ME THAT SHE WAS A PUPIL TEACHER WHO HAILS FROM BATH SETTLEMENT.

·          Glycis Budhoo had a perpetual smile and she was a freewheeling lady. She was exhuberantly pleasant. I never knew her surname since the name Glycis matched her amenable personality. I met her at a musical concert in Montreal at the site of the former Expo ’67. She asked me,”Are you still manish?”.

·          Irma LaRose was the Domestic Science teacher. She taught my late sister,Juliet, to make those beautiful cakes. Her two nephews, Roger Farrier and Keith Farrier also attended the school. Keith was a gentleman friend of mine But little Roger was the real Tom Sawyer of the school. JR used to twist his ears.

·          David R.O. Nehru Jaipaul was a cavalier gentleman of the school. His appearance and well groomed moustache gave him an aristocratic look.He lived in Hampshire opposite Kistama’s Furniture Store. His children David and Eileen attended CHS. David is a carbon copy of his father. Mr. Jaipaul was so proud that I was teaching at CHS that I would stop by for educated discussion at his house.

·          Harold  Appadoo (“DUX”) was one person responsible for my leaving the school at Standard Five to go to CHS.He later became my friend in Montreal when he attended Loyola College. He would visit us every weekend at McKay Street. He liked my cooking.  

               Professor Paul J. Erriah

Our Dinner and Dance event held on May 17, 2009 in Toronto, Canada was an overwhelming success. A profit of $1,121.00 was realized net of expenses. 

Our thanks to Team Canada members Syd Latchana, Rajin Balkisson, Dee Baldeo and Sher Goordat for a job well done.

Accumulated Fund:

Rishi Singh

Minneapolis, MN