The last inspection of the Cayman Prep and High School (March 2019), although in my day, when I was fifteen, it was The C-H-S, received a good report.

In fact, the statement “Overall, I am satisfied with the quality of education provided at this school”, received a 93% agreement from the parents, 100% from the staff and 88% from the pupils.

Considering a lot of pupils automatically don’t like going to school, the 88% mark is very good.

In my day, and at first I hated it, schooling was very different. My first education was Miss Una Bush’s school to learn my ABC”s. She got me going with my spellings. I would come home with my ABC book, get onto the floor on my back, my feet up in the air against the door frame where I could keep cool and I would start to read!

There were many mosquitoes to annoy us at school, almost ‘eating us alive’. Pupils – you have it much easier now!! Air conditioning? Ha. Ha.

After Miss Una, I was enrolled as one of the first pupils of Triple C School in 1941. Then, when C-H-S opened eight years later, I attended there as one of its first pupils!

As the new school terms have just started, I thought I would share this poem I wrote about the C-H-S and the class reunions I later enjoyed. I hope you enjoy the poem.

C-H-S REUNION

By Joan (Watler) Wilson

The C-H-S as it was known in 1949

Came about at a very crucial time

When the Island was full of children galore

Yearning for knowledge and ways to explore.

The world out there in all its glory

Was waiting to tell us another story.

*

There were schools already on the Island I’m sure you’d agree

Doing a great job for all to see,

But the time was ripe for further learning

Not only for 3-Rs were we all yearning.

We wanted to become a new generation

Of business men and women of great dedication.

*

We needed to learn algebra/geometry and biology

Science/Accountancy/typing and of course, geography,

To equip us all for what was to come

In sharing the wealth in this place we call home.

You must all agree folks we’ve come a long way

And never forget to thank God for what we have today.

*

Thanks also to our teachers who come from far and near

Not only did they teach us but became our friends so dear.

Their names are too many for us to say – except

Of course for the Rev. John R Gray,

Who was teacher and headmaster for many, many years

And whom we’d like to give three great big cheers.

*

And Rev. George Hicks, God bless his soul

Our preacher and teacher, he played a double role.

In moulding young scholars to do their best

When faced with adversities of life and put to a test.

Rev. George Ricketts was our Latin teacher

He too, played two roles for he was a preacher.

*

In Bodden Town, North Side and East End too

We loved him lots for he was true.

We’ve come a long way since 1949

An island time forgot so peaceful and sublime.

Our Christian heritage should be given all the credit

For without our faith in God we couldn’t have made it.

*

These are my thoughts folks in remembering my school days

And we know moments differ in so many ways

So welcome all to past students of C-H-S

God bless you – enjoy our reunion and our togetherness.

END

From “Buried Treasures of Cayman – My Memories”

There you have it, as it was, “In My Day”.