The Youth Development Division in collaboration with the Convent High School are near the end of a project which is aimed at beautifying the school while at the same time bringing its history to life.
The project is a mural which depicts the history of the Convent High School, from the arrival of nuns on boats to run the school to the building of the New Convent High School on Bath Road.
Youth officer and councillor of the Youth Development Division Valencia Webb told Dominica News Online that she decided to propose the project to her management since she felt that it would be good for the students during the summer.
According to her, she contacted Dr Lennox Honychurch to assist in gathering the school’s history and the project was born.
In explaining the mural Webb said it depicts when Catholic nuns arrived on Dominica and started an orphanage. It then continues on to show how the orphanage grew into a school with a population of six girls and developed into the school that it is today.
Amala Sorhaindo, a 2010 graduate of the school is one of the key artists on the project. She explained that the mural shows that Convent High School has various programmes which include sports, drama, dance and computer sciences. Sorhaindo and Eron Hamilton are the main artists on the projects.
Seventeen students of the CHS, along with a few students from other schools around Roseau are enrolled in the project.
Webb is encouraging students from other schools to embark on similar projects.
This is an excellent undertaking. Keep it beautiful. I love beautiful colors, not too bright, if you know what I mean; also coordinated.
They are self-explanatory.
I suppose in this era the Convent High School theme song is no longer sung, “…Ready to fight for God and country, honor, duty, purity…” The chorus: “Convent High School youth, we’re our island’s pride. We, the leaders of tomorrow…in the Cross of Christ…”
Those of us who had the golden opportunity as I regard it, that the Convent was then operated by the Nuns with Mother Superior and of being taught by the other Nuns with the CHS Principal and some other teachers, all disciplined and strict were fortunate, have fond memories of those days, non-to-compare.
We were impeccably dressed in our school uniform. We had to be neatly dressed. Otherwise, we would lose marks. My mother was a particular lady who ensured that her children were always neatly dressed. We learned this from youth.
We received weekly and monthly marks for diligence, conduct and for curriculum. During the month, a few who excelled were given a medal, sometimes two or three. I recall I once received the weekly medal, a red one; the monthly, diligence one, a green one and another monthly light blue color for conduct – all in one month. Did I ever wear them proudly?
It was also an interesting time. No regrets. We consider it an asset to us in our adulthood and for those of us who also reside abroad.
I recall how we would pray and then sing and marched to our classrooms (classical music) as the Nun who was the music teacher played the piano. We prayed before school, when going to lunch, returning from lunch and at the end of the day when going home.
Yes! We had religious instructions and also the Bible for children, interpreted with also pictures, making them interesting and that our little minds could comprehend the teachings. We studied them and wrote exams on them.
We had games and performed exercise. We recognized the feast days of the saints.
Our white games uniform was embroidered in different colors in honor of the saints.
We also recognized the feast day of the Bishop, Father Superior, Mother Superior. We practiced certain songs which we sang in their honor. We looked forward to going home after that and were happy to get the rest of the day off.
We entertained dignitaries who would visit the school and also sang to them.
We wore our school uniform and parade uniform with pride.
On special days of the year in the Catholic Calendar, we were encouraged to go to Church prior to coming to class. I happily got up early to go to Church. Those were not wasted years including the Holy Masses we attended and prayers we said.
At the end of term when going on school holidays, we would also pray. We would also sing to Our Lord Jesus Christ and His Blessed Mother…
“Mother of all that is pure…all that is bright and blest, as we have taken our toil to thee, so we will take our rest. Take thou and bless our holiday… Be with us Mother from morn ’til eve, thou and thy Blessed Son…” This is a beautiful song. All this for our protection and safety. Occasionally I sing those songs.
Our parents ensured that we attended Church and prayed. God was obviously pleased. He blest us from on high as we prayed and sang, as we went on our way, after school, during the school holidays until we returned to school.
It was not all school work. There were occasions that we had fun. After all, as the saying, “All work and no play make Jack/Jill a dull boy/girl.
My memory of those times has not waned. It was a sophisticated school and era. How time has flown. Some of those nuns have passed on. I know of the teachers who passed-on a few years ago. God bless those Nuns! God bless those teachers!
Boy that is such an sick artistic work… I am amazed… Excellent job you guys
Fantastic!!!
Big Up to Mr. Jules and crew. Impacting the lives of so many Dominicans. The Ministry has no idea how much work you all undergo, but we thank them for funding.
I Pray the blessings of God be with you all always as we work together to build a better Dominica.
The water tank above needs to be painted.
Its the roof of a shed.
Excellent Job Aunty Val..Hats off to Youth Division, the Convent High School,esp Mrs Dublin, the artists, the students… Defineltly a positive way to engage one’s summer…. I am looking forward to seeing more active, posisitive youth activities around the island. Proud Past Student
\\\\well done – keep up the good work
Can’t wait to see it in person…. well done.
This is very beautiful. CHS always had very talented girls. Proud to be a past student. Class of 93
lovely. my alma mater
This is a great project and I am proud of the students who participated.
Lovely, beautiful and very creative!
Well Webb daughter must graduate next year. Pull string.
You had to (shameful)
Might b try! Why now when her daughter going 5th form. She securing a space. I would do the same if I knew my child need help.
I pray de mayor will not notice that no sidewalk exists all along from gardens gate all the way past big convent down to convent prep. no sidealk at all.
I recall this. Someone also informed me about it. We CHS students would have to squeeze ourselves near or over the drainage to avoid the traffic. It could be dangerous.
Lobby the government to construct a sidewalk. We would think that in this day and age and with increased traffic there would be sidewalks on that stretch of the road. Of course, in that area the road is narrow. We hope the sidewalk will be constructed and soon enough.
Great Job!!!
I’m very proud of the young people. I’m a Class of ’85 alumnus and I still remember our motto: “Labor Omnia Vincit.”
congratulations to the youth who are engaged positively
Beautiful!!
WOW!!!! The mural is wonderful.. Cant wait to see it september!
Way to go Youth. Glad to see the positive things that our youth are involved in. Thanks to the Youth Development Division for supporting the Youth in such positive ways.
This looks very nice. Congrats girls. Good job. May God continue to bless Convent High.
nice
Good stuff
Cheers to CHS on all their achievement and hats off to the teachers who have stood by the students through it all.
Especially Ms. Prentice, Mrs. Dublin, Ms Jno Baptiste, Mr. McAuley ,Ms. Desabaye, Mrs. Bannis, Ms Nation, Mademoiselle Severin and the other teachers who work hard to see the students excel.
We are truly the nation’s pride!
Wonderful job guys!
Congrats ms Webb and sorhaindo. May you both continue to inspire our young minds.