HEAD OF STATE VISITS GREEN ISLAND HIGH SCHOOL

By Dr Simon A. Clarke (Founding Principal)

Over the thirty-nine year history of the Green Island High School, the institution has had a long list of special visits from both local and overseas dignitaries. It may be useful to remind you of just three such visitors. In 1971, two years after the school began; Prime Minister Hugh Shearer attended and was the guest speaker at the Official Opening of what was the Green Island Junior Secondary School. In 1973, Mrs. Shirley Chisholm, the first African-American woman to be elected to the U.S. Congress visited and addressed the students. The congresswoman was a relative of Mr. John Chisholm, a member of the first Board of the school and Mrs. Beryl Chisholm, principal of the Green Island Primary. In 1974, Prime Minister Michael Manley, spent an entire day at what had now become the Green Island Secondary School. He visited all departments but was most impressed by the work in Science and Agriculture, the Farm and the music programme of Mr. Paul Halley and Mr. Vincent Hawthorne. By the way, did you know that Mr. Halley left Green Island to become director of music of the famous Cathedral of St. John The Divine in New York? Prime Minister Manley also turned on the lights of the pavilion which was wired by the first set of students in the Electrical Installation programme. If my memory serves me right, I think that Keith Foster (the brother of the current president of the Past Students Association), actually worked on the pavilion. Later that day, Mr. Manley had lunch with the students in the Multipurpose Hall.

April 9, 2008, marked by a very special visit, was another special day in the calendar of the school. At exactly 9.30 in the morning of that day, a Jamaica Defense Force Helicopter landed on the playing field. Emerging from this flying machine on the beautifully cut grass were the Head of State, the Governor-General and his wife, His Excellency, the Most Honorable Professor Sir Kenneth Hall

and Lady Hall. The Governor-General’s party from King’s House and I had traveled from Kingston the afternoon before and had spent the night in Negril. Their Excellencies’ official car met them on the playing field. They were escorted by two motorcycle outriders which drove behind the multi-purpose hall and entered the school’s parking lot from the main road. As the car slowly passed through the gate, they were met by the rhythms of the festival-winning group of Green Island High drummers.

There was orderly anticipation by the entire school as His Excellency inspected the guard of honour of guides and scouts who stood at attention on either side of the main entrance to the buildings. In the background a male student played familiar tunes on the keyboard. For me, as first principal of the institution, this was a very special occasion. I had not been back to the school for many years. As we entered, I glanced at the right wall near the ceiling. The board bearing the school’s motto ‘EXCELLENCE’ was in the same place that I had installed it nearly forty years ago.

As the official party entered we were warmly greeted by the Acting Custos of Hanover, Mrs. Enid Gonsalves, Board Chairman, father Lynch, principal, Mrs. Ada Mitchell, vice-principals Messrs Baugh and Woolery and representatives of all levels of staff. It was a pleasure to see former students of Green Island High now taking their places as fully qualified teachers on the staff. It was also wonderful to see the students, wearing the same uniform as before, standing upstairs and downstairs around the beautifully kept quadrangle which probably looked better than in the old days, with not a scrap of paper or a pebble in sight. It appeared as though the entire area was covered with a green carpet. Before the Governor-General spoke, a group of students performed a most touching piece bemoaning violence against children. His Excellency, in his address, commended the school for the standards it was maintaining and

encouraged all to continue. After his speech, the headboy and the headgirl both spoke and invited their Excellencies to join them in planting a tree to symbolize the commitment of all students to Preserve All Life, Protect the Environment, Share with others, Reject Violence, Listen to Understand and Re-discover Love. The tree was given to the school by the Forestry Department and was planted in front patch of lawn near the kitchen, between the parking lot and the playing field.

The official party was then invited to the library for refreshments. The Governor-General and Lady Hall entered. His Excellency then called me inside and pointed to a painting of me on the Western wall of the Library. This actually blew me away for I had not seen this painting before. Hedonism II then assisted the school in putting on a wonderful spread of pastry and finger-foods and all kinds warm and cold beverages. But that was not all. The Food and Nutrition Department had prepared a sumptuous breakfast for the GG’s party that had arrived by road. I really ‘went to town’ on this, for indeed it was very special.

We were all very pleased with our experience at Green Island that morning. Mrs. Mitchell, the principal, must be commended for being a stickler for maintaining those standards that made Green Island one of the finest institutions in Jamaica. After all, the principal is no stranger to this place. As some of you will remember, she was on the very first staff as a young intern, when the school began in 1969. The Board, staff and students must also be commended for continuing the traditions and the Green Island culture.

I was personally very satisfied with what we encountered.

Dr. Simon Clark

From the food and the music, the Distinguished Guest Speakers to the gifts, games, prizes and surprises the event will be one for the books.



Tickets are readily available online at www.greenislandalumni.com or by contacting Paulette Sutherland at suddie@bellsouth.net. Or by calling (416)729-9165, (905)785-8421, (416)624-24622. Tickets are priced at $45.00 per person.

The Lake Front Promenade Park has been reserved for a day of Fun on Sunday, August 3, where all Green Island High past students and their families can kick back, catch-up with each other and enjoy an evening of bar-b-que, dominos and much more. There will be lots of food, music, games and frolicking.

The day at the park will be at no cost to attendees courtesy of the generosity of some members of our association. For Alumni traveling from America - namely from New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Pennsylvania areas, there is the option of traveling by charter coach. Paradise Trailway of Long Island, New York is willing to provide a luxury coach for the trip. Persons interested in traveling via luxury coach must contact Clover Malcolm at (646)427-5745 or Norrine Tavares at (917)969-6305 or by emailing norrinen@aol.com by May 31, 2008.

For Alumni in the South Florida area, former President Edgton Wright is spearheading a chartered van for the trip. For those of us who would prefer that mode of transportation, please get in touch with Edgton at (954)258-2052 or by emailing him at wright4353@comcast.net.

August 2 & 3 in Toronto is shaping up to be a phenomenal event. The prospective attendees list is posted on our webpage and is growing daily. Alumni all over the world are getting busy with their travel plans. Hotels that are close to the events are posted on the web for your convenience as well. You really cannot afford to miss this one!!!!!

Six Paradigms of Human Interactions
By Carlton Foster
The GIHANA Board and Banquet committee are busy with the Toronto Reunion. I encourage you all to plan for this occasion. From our projected attendees list, it appears Toronto will have the largest turn out to date. With all this planning, we cannot forget that we are also at the end of the term for the current GIHANA Board.
The process for the nomination and election of officers will begin in the month of June. Information and instructions on this important process will be coming to you via email.

The existence of this association is dependent on each member being a part of this procedure. Since our inception in 2005, we have had some good times and trying moments, but all in the name of a good cause. Green Island High school needs our help. I would like to thank those who have donated monies and assisted in purchasing goods for the school. We still need a lot more help in this area and encourage others to come on board.

During my time with the association, I have gained more insight into the principles and habits of Interpersonal Leadership. I understand that there are six paradigms of human interaction: Win-Win, Win-Lose, Lose-Win, Lose-Lose, Win, and Win-Win or No Deal. People with a win-win paradigm take time to search for solutions that will make them happy and simultaneously satisfy others (7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey).

People with a Win-Lose attitude are concerned with themselves first and last; they want to win and others to lose; while those who choose to lose and let others win show high consideration for others, but lack the courage to express and act on their feelings and beliefs. Lose-Lose attitude are bent on envy and criticizing others. While those people who hold a Win paradigm think only of getting what they want. Finally, Win-Win or No Deal is the highest form of Win-Win. People who adopt this paradigm seek first for win-win. If they cannot find an acceptable solution, they agree to disagree.

These habits are very important to understand each others perspective. Communication and good leadership skills are important to a successful association. I encourage you to embrace the various paradigms that make us who we are: GIHANA, on the move for a better School.

FUNDRAISING RAFFLE

Air Jamaica Limited, Couples Resort and Swept Away have come onboard in a joint effort on behalf of Green Island High School. After months of planning and working with sponsors, tickets for the Green Island High Alumni of North America Fundraising Raffle will go on sale Monday, May 12, 2008. The tickets will be at a contribution of $10.00. Air Jamaica Limited and Couple Resort Swept Away will provide the Grand Prize of an All inclusive week for two in Negril, Jamaica.

Air Jamaica will fly the lucky winner and his/her guest to Jamaica from any of their hubs in North America, to the Donald Sangster's International Airport in Montego-Bay.

From there, they will be transported complimentary to Negrll for a seven nights stay on the magnificent seven miles beach of Negril courtesy of Couples Resort Swept Away. At Couples Resort the winners will enjoy seven nights in finely appointed accommodation, gourmet meals, and live entertainment every night. Premium brand drinks and a world of water sport activities are available to them. Couples Resort Swept Away offers six unique restaurants, a 10 acre sports and fitness complex, six bars including a Sports Bar and Piano Bar. Glass Bottom Boat tour and Catamaran Cruise, and unlimited Golf.

The second and third prizes of a 32" Flat Screen Television Set and a Laptop Computer respectively, were graciously donated by members of the GIHANA Association.

The drawing for this raffle will be on Friday, July 25, 2008 at 4:00 pm in the boardroom of Air Jamaica Limited North-East Regional office, 111 Livingston Street, Suite 11011, Brooklyn, New York. We ask that all members of the Association do their part in selling tickets. Our school's Music and Science Department are in a state of despair and we need to help in having this remedied.