The Bethel Methodist Church, South Hill, was the most fitting venue for the 50th Anniversary Thanksgiving Service of the Road Primary/Adrian T. Hazell Primary held on Sunday 25th September 2016. Mrs. Chanelle Petty-Barret alluded to this in her congratulatory remarks on behalf of the Ministry of Education. After all, the history of the school began there until the church hall which housed the school was destroyed by Hurricane Donna in 1960. After experiencing some displacement, the school was relocated to its present location, where it opened its doors on 9th September 1966 with a roll of 492 pupils under the headship of the late Mr. Adrian T. Hazell.
Both past students, the Honourable Deputy Governor, Mr. Perin Bradley, and Honourable Minister of MICUH, Mr. Curtis Richardson, reflected on their formative years at the school. They reflected on the bonds of friendships forged at the school, and identified some key teachers who played significant roles in their development. They included Mr. Adrian T. Hazell, Mrs. Eudora Hughes, Mrs. Dorothy Hughes (deceased), Mrs. Rona Proctor, to name a few.
Past student, teacher and currently the Chief Education Officer, Mrs. Rhonda Connor, expressed gratitude to her past teachers who contributed to her success, as a student and then young teacher, namely, Rev. Dr. Wycherly Gumbs, Mr. Caryl Connor (Dormie), Mr. Darwin Hazell, Mrs. Dorothy Hazell, Mrs. Yolande Richardson and Mrs. Hyacinth Hughes. She shared some history of the past Chief Education Officers who were students of the Road Primary School: Mr. Edison Hughes, Mr. Elvet Hughes, Mrs. Yolande Richardson and Mrs. Verna Fahie.
Mrs. Connor also took the time to announce the establishment of the school’s Alumni which will be officially launched on Saturday 29th October 2016 (the first primary school to do so). Registration is continuing every Saturday at the school’s main entrance, and will continue via the school’s official website (www.athps.com ).
Reverend Dr. Wycherly Gumbs, past teacher and current chaplain at the school, reflected on the fond memories and invaluable lessons learnt at the school as a student and then as a young teacher. His reflections bore out the theme, “Celebrating 50 years: building on past achievements, honouring our legacy”. He referred to some senior teachers whom he termed as “real role models’ who were inspirational. Those stalwarts included Teachers Ben, Albert, Ruth, Franklin, Glossie and Adrian.
Past students, Mrs. Oralyn Reid, Mrs. Wanda Brooks and Ms. Wilda Hughes blessed the audience with a rendition, “We’ve come this far by faith”, while the present staff and students rendered “Thank you Lord for 50 years”.
The present principal, Mrs. Tracelyn Hamilton, launched what is dubbed “50 Anyhow”. This initiative allows persons to give back to their alma mater 50 dollars in any currency. This initiative is ongoing as the 50th celebrations run until July 2017.
The service was ably chaired by Mrs. Janice Connor, past teacher. Teachers Electra Carty-Buddle and Wenonah Lawrence, past students and teachers at the school, participated in the service by offering the welcome remarks and expressions of thanks respectively.
Special thanks to all who took the time to join in giving God thanks for the accomplishments of the Road Primary/Adrian T. Hazell Primary school.
– Contributed
