A red mini-curtain was mounted on the front of the building that houses the Diabetes Association and the BVI Cancer Society Tuesday evening.
When Adorothy Turnbull drew back the curtain, she unveiled a plaque in honour of the territory’s first secondary school, which opened on Main Street 70 years ago, in 1943.
In just one building and with limited furniture, supplies and textbooks, students didn’t have it easy at the senior school, Ms. Turnbull said at the unveiling ceremony, which was among several activities held in observance of Education Week.
“The beginning was hectic,” she said, with “very limited facilities for the accommodation of the students.”
In addition to English language and literature, religion and botany, the students also studied hygiene, Ms. Turnbull said.
By the end of the first year, students had become friends and even staged a play, which they performed at the Road Town Methodist Church, she said.
Ms. Turnbull was one of 41 students selected to attend the senior school that first year. Other members of the pioneer class included former chief ministers H. Lavity Stoutt and Cyril Romney.
See the March 14, 2013 edition for full coverage.
{fcomment}