Saltus Grammar School - Yearbook (Hamilton, Bermuda)

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We Had a Dream By Eileen M. Wilkie (Head of Department) Last year we talked about the birth of Our Dream — the new Music and Arts wing, and I am sure that everyone could sense, at the time of writing, the excitement and anticipation, as of prospective parents bristling with plans for a long awaited addition to the family unit. By July it was obvious that the delivery was not going to be simple or quick, but we went on vacation, sure that things would move during our absence. On our return in September it was abundantly clear that we still had labour problems. Only after many frantic emergency calls did we see renewed activity in the labour department, and finally, just before the start of the term, were handed our dream child. While it was not, at that point in time, all that we had pic- tured — lacking such essentials as shelving, chalk boards, display boards, plumbing furniture — we moved in with deter- mination, and despite persisting inadequacies, the Music and Art wing became operational from the first day, and, thanks to generous donors, fully furnished and totally functional (even down to Mrs. Pettit ' s heater!) by November. Missing structural essentials were supplied at the gun-point of suc- cessive deadline dates, and finally on Founder ' s Day, 9th June, 1983, our long awaited extension was presented for public viewing by its major benefactor, the Saltus Association, and was named the Henry Hallett Music and Art Wing in memory of the School ' s Headmaster from 1948 - 1968. The new wing being finished, attention and energy now focused on the project that followed in its wake — a proper library, to be housed in the Old Art Room. Painted by volunteer parents, carpeted by the Class Mothers, furnished by the school, catalogued by trial and error after the Dewey Decimal system, it was finally opened to the boys in February, and serves as an elegant and fittingly academic entrance to the Junior Department. — A report of thanks. May 1983. Having started 10 years ago hearing boys read two morn- ings a week in any odd corner that was available, and then when that became too awkward borrowing the Science Lab. for certain set times — I was very pleased 6 years ago, when the hours were extended, to be loaned a small caretaker ' s flatlet which is hidden away under the Junior Hall far from the mad- ding crowd! Temporary bookshelves were built covering the kitchen sink, the closet was used for storage, and the bath shower was available for overheated boys! The rooms became a haven for my boys, and was much valued. When the new Art Music block was planned a Special Resource Room was included — until the noise factor was con- sidered. Scales, arpegios, choirs and reading spelling did not seem to be too practical together! 1 elected to stay put if the room could be made a little larger. As we couldn ' t extend out- wards, it was hollowed from the inside! The closet, bath and kitchen fittings were removed leaving a very small lavatory and washbasin, and a much larger library area was created. We were fitted with a fan for summer and a heater for winter, and have been given filing cabinets to keep me organised. The Birthday Book Scheme and individual donations of books from boys who have finished with them have made an enormous dif- ference to the quality of the library — and to the keenness of the boys ' readiii).. ' ,, With very many lhunks o i: P;i rents Association, Argus In- surance CJo. and all supportive parciils, wc are now very com- fortable and happy and the boys feci that their needs and prolilcrns arc beinf , caicd Ibr. Kay Walker You hum it, son, and I ' ll play it nil ' ' Hard at worli

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SALTUS JUNIOR SCHOOL STAFF Back row (L to R) Mr. G. Sutherland First Assistant Mr. P. Lever Mr. M. Beasley Mr. S. Adams, B.A. (Edinburgh) Front row (L to R) Miss M. Armstrong Mrs. J. Zuill Miss. E. Wilkie Head of Department Mrs. M. Pettit, Dip. Mus.Ed., R.S.A.M., L.R.S.M. Mrs. K. Latter Mrs. L. Williams A Testimonial What I really like about school is hometime. Well I like recess and lunch and all the teachers. I like Mis. Wilky, I Hke Mr. mackfee, Mrs. Zuill, Mrs. Ladder, Mr. Leaver, Mr. Beasily, Mr. Addonas, Mis. Williuoms, Mr. Sotherland and Miss Armstrong and Mis Pettit and mrs Walker. . By Marc Drew, J4Z 27

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' King of the castle! Now what? Perpetual Christmas Our major projects having been accomplished by February, to our delight, thereafter, followed a bonanza of gift-giving that made us think that Christmas had come to stay. Our thanks to parents and the many benefactors who remembered us during their business renovations. First the Class Mothers commissioned the construction and equipping of a small medical room, where, at last, we could lay the sick and dying , removed from nauseating class-room bustle. On the field, fathers erected long-awaited play equipment, purchased by the class Mothers, through the Saltus Association. At last the boys had a choice of activity on the field. D J Construction Co. made up 2 sets of portable football goals. At last we could move our pitches according to season and field conditions. Carpeting for office, staff room, library entrance and medical room arrived, courtesy of Sonesta Beach . At last the school was beginning to look more cheerful and homely, even opulent. A long overdue coat of paint was given to the outside of the school and to the staff room by Mr. Beard ' s touring teams; and to the office, entrance hall, bathroom and various classrooms by volunteer parents. At last we felt proud to identify with our alma mater. Storage space for each room, in the form of high and wide shelving, was provided by Bermuda General Agency, so, at last, mounds of classroom clutter could look like orderly piles of work-related supplies. Staff desks and leather (swivel, no less!) chairs arrived from Argus Insurance Com- pany. Ah! at last the staff cut imposing figures each enthroned in executive splendour. The final civilising touch, by D.E. Mortimer Co., in the interests of hygiene, was the installation of towel and soap dispensers in the bathrooms. At last — at long last — boys could be seen rushing into the bathrooms after play, zealously smothering their hands with soft, pink liquid lather — vying with each other to produce the best soft, pink BUBBLES?!! Education has always been the Cinderella profession. Traditionally expected to produce the greatest results with the least expenditure items requisitioned have to be proved to be of immediate and essential scholastic need, and not frivolous fancy. In private education, particularly in these expensive times, it is hard to justify the spending of money on non-academic items, knowing that each non-vital purchase could lead to the further raising of fees and the possible exclusion of some potential student of worth. However refinements do make a difference to the tone of a school — to the feeling of pride and well-being of those within, and to the initial impression on those without. Having worked for years under comparatively austere conditions, we staff, and thus our pupils would like our many recent benefactors to know how much we ap- preciate their thoughts, their deeds and their donations. Quiet study in our resources area