President’s College celebrates 34 years of excellence

Sep 13, 2019 News

Wednesday, September 11, 2019 marked 34 years since President’s College (PC), located at Golden Grove on the East Coast of Demerara, opened its doors to accept some of the country’s top one percent of students who sat the Secondary Entrance examinations.

The entrance to the school’s compound

A section of the students at Wednesday’s activity

On Wednesday, last, the school hosted a commemoratory march and a programme to celebrate the auspicious event. The entire student population took part in the march, which commenced at the Golden Grove Primary School and proceeded past the first and second barriers, and concluding at the school’s basketball tarmac in front of the Admin Building.
The National Pledge was recited and the school’s prayer. Subsequently, there was the hoisting of the Golden Arrowhead as the first stanza of the National Anthem was sung. Following that the school’s flag was raised as the students sang the school’s song.
Teachers directed the flow of students as they made their way to the Dining/Multipurpose Hall fondly called D-Hall for the second half of the morning’s proceedings.

The dancers during their performance.

Awaiting the bell to go over to lunch at the dining hall.

There was a buzz of excitement not only because they were missing the first half day’s classes but also because they eagerly wanted to see what their colleagues has come up with.
Prayers from three religions – Christianity, Hinduism and Islam – were recited and things went on their merry way. The audience was introduced to a few past students that were present as well as past teachers who came back to celebrate.
There were a number of dances and musical renditions from the choir and the steel pan orchestra.
A group of dancers from different classes performed an inspirational dance to Conqueror by Jussie Smollett and Estelle. Half of the dancers were dressed in white and the other half in purple, two of the school colours, with transparent pink skirts over their clothing.
They displayed several disciplines of dance with their coordination, timely twists and turns, as they portrayed the lyrics of the song through their moves, maintained eye contact and wore bright smiles, keeping the audience fully engaged.
The performance was met with loud cheers and thunderous applause. There was a dramatic piece done by another group of students to give some amount of insight to the newcomers on the school’s rich history.
A number of scenarios were displayed including President Desmond Hoyte’s visit and commissioning, and a few government officials sitting down to discuss the site for the school and proposed plans.
Care was taken to keep the depictions as close to the events as possible even using direct quotes according to what records show. It was definitely a creative and one of a kind dramatic piece.
Teachers who stood out over the course of the years were given acknowledgement and tokens of appreciation from the students. It surely was a sweet gesture and an emotional presentation as it was obvious that such wasn’t expected.
After much and words of encouragement for their teachers, principal and vice principal (acting), the students sang the National Anthem and they were sent on a lunch break.
Interviews with a number of them boiled down to a few things, they were happy to not have class, they were lucky to be a part of such an outstanding institution, and they were thankful for all they had and would continue to have in the future.
Resident students were observed assembling on the walkway as they patiently awaited the sound of the bell to indicate that lunch was ready and they should make their way to the dining hall in orderly fashion.
President’s College indeed has a lot of history behind it. It was the brainchild of the late President Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham.
The idea was for a boarding school that would be self-sufficient and receive top performers at the Secondary School Entrance level. In addition, although he didn’t live to see his dream become a full reality, the institution was very dear to his heart.
The project to construct the school was launched in 1983 and it was officially opened to its first batch of students, a total of 42 – seven girls and 35 boys on September 11, 1985. It was commissioned by the then President, Desmond Hoyte.
President’s College has done exceptionally well over the years and continues to excel, as in every other institution there are hurdles but through perseverance and teamwork students and staff have seemingly managed to surpass them all living up to the last line in the school’s credo “WE CAN, WE MUST, WE WILL”. Happy 34th Anniversary President’s College.
(Anasa Williams)