The Lodge School Celebrates Our Culture And Our Past

THE Lodge School was a sea of blue, yellow and black as students and teachers celebrated the 44th anniversary of Barbados’ Independence yesterday.

The annual event began with a military parade on the playing field and continued with a service of thanksgiving for the school and the nation.

The highlight of the day for the students however, was the cultural presentation which featured the many talents of the students, in song, dance and drama.

Past student John King also attended the event and sang a few of his hits including the popular “All Hands on Deck”.

Images of Barbados of yesteryear were prominently displayed by the second form students in their classrooms.

Organiser of the cultural display, Wynell Yearwood-Scott expressed concern that a number of students were unfamiliar with many of the items that were on display. The comprehensive showcase featured modes of transportation, childhood games and past times, life on the sugar plantation and ‘working hard to make a living.’ (JH)

Source: www.barbadosadvocate.com

The Lodge School Looking To Make Its Mark

The Lodge School is poised to take off and with the refurbishments planned for the St. John educational institution, Principal Trevor Pilgrim is suggesting that in a few short years, it will once again become the school of first choice for many Barbadians.

Pilgrim’s comments came yesterday morning during his address at the service of thanksgiving and opening ceremony for the week of activities for the 265th anniversary celebration, on the grounds of Codrington College, the original site of the school.

According to the principal major construction and refurbishment at the school is set to start in the first quarter of next year and will see several new additions to the compound, to help accommodate the growing student roll, which stands now at 1 067, the largest it has ever been in the history of the school, with over 200 of those students being in the sixth forms.

“There are new subjects on the curriculum and better students are being attracted to the school. School effectiveness continues to improve and there is a wide and increasing spread of good external exam results across the fifth and sixth forms every year. Our prowess in sports is legendary, I consider myself privileged to lead the school at this juncture when we are poised to take off,” he said.

Pilgrim said that at the end of the refurbishment, which is expected to take some three to four years to complete, they will have what “amounts” to a new school. He explained that this physical redevelopment, scheduled to start around March 2011, will correct years of deterioration of the physical plant and result in them being the recipients of a new hall, with the capacity to seat at least 1 000, a new pavilion, new classroom blocks and existing blocks, he explained will either be extended and or refurbished.

“We are also developing a strategic plan for the next five years [so] when we return to Codrington five years from now, there will be a new and modern Lodge School. Other entities even including this venerable College will be able to use our upgraded facilities for conferences, sports and community activities,” he stated. (JRT)

Source: www.barbadosadvocate.com

Fighting Back & Moving Forward - Concert Promo

Three Amigos

Fate placed the three of them at The Lodge School in 1979. Anderson Blood Armstrong, George Jones and Terry Mexican Arthur would actually meet each other a year later through a drive by Mac Fingall for the start of their destiny. The trials of school, the end of almost two decades of working with a top band, and more recently George’s illness have not torn their bond of over 30 years asunder. Mexican will be the first to tell you that he and the other two were not the most diligent of students, but each of them continues to hold fast to the motto of their alma mater: They Can Because They Think They Can.

There is an unshakable loyalty and friendship among the three that they say run deeper than the music, and bridge any distance that circumstances and geography might throw up. Blood and George found themselves in the same class at third form level and they would meet up with Mexican in the music room at every available opportunity to practise on the various instruments, and the only thing they have lived to regret was not taking their Spanish classes. They all smiled fondly as they recalled that prediction from the Spanish teacher. “The music was the common denominator, the gel. I guess over time it would evolve into what it is now,” George explained.

“I remember the three of us – just as we’re here – used to sit at the piano. I play bass, sometimes George, Andy hold the chords, or we would interchange,” Mexican said, with nods of approval from the other two. “One big piano,” Blood interjected. They would soon form a band that would play for concerts at school. Mexican hit the seas shortly after school as a musician and Blood got involved in Gabby’s First-Timers tent and later the Richard Stoute Teen Talent competition, joined the Untouchables Tent and did some overseas tours.

While Blood was pursuing his solo career, George was approached by the Country Theatre Workshop to perform at the Christmas concert and he looked to his buddy Blood. Blood brought in Paul Slater and his old St Giles’ schoolmate Cecil Oshaka Riley, who were both involved in Richard Stoute. That was the beginning of Square One and they would be joined by Alison Hinds and Winston Beckles a little later. Mexican heard the band at the Steel Shed on a trip home from the ship and without checking with the guys, he sounded his intention to quit after the six-month tour to join.

Source: www.nationnews.com

Lodge School Wins Under-15 Title By 29 Runs

For the third time in its long and stellar cricketing history, Nature Valley Lodge School hoisted the LIME Schools Under-15 trophy, after defeating Garrison Secondary by 29 runs at the BET Ground yesterday afternoon.

After resuming from their overnight score of 168-9, Lodge was eventually dismissed for 174, leaving Garrison to make 189 for victory. Garrison, however faltered during their run chase, falling 29 runs short of the target on 160 all out.

Lodge School coach Clifton Philips praised his players for holding their nerve and never faltering under pressure, especially after they were dismissed for just 106 in their first innings.

“When you are coming into the final day there is always pressure. But I believe most of that pressure is the one you put on yourself. I thought that once they managed to get up to 189, I thought that we could get home. But obviously Garrison, this being their first time in the final they wanted it very much, so we knew we would have to fight,” said Philips.

Philips, who has coached Lodge School for the past 19 years, noted that while they did not play Garrison in any of their preliminary games, he asked the guys to remain focused and to not underestimate their opponents.

“I asked them to focus and stick close to the basics, don’t go to far away from them; keep focused on the job on hand and to take each moment as they go and work from there” said Philips.

A visibly upset Garrison coach Elvis Howard, lauded his players for not only making it to the final but for also playing with grit and determination during the three days of competition.

“I told the guys from the outset that we are not only going to the final. We want the record to also show that we played very well in the final. I am so happy for my boys, obviously we are a bit disappointed that we didn’t win, but the fighting spirit showed today by my school was tremendous and I think the boys will be happy with the way they fought today,” said Howard.

Howard praised the Lodge School on their victory, but admitted his team let the game get away from them, after having their opponents on the back foot.

“After having Lodge on 126 for nine, we lost the plot in the last 45 minutes of the game and it really showed, because I thought that with 126 for nine the most we would be looking to chase is 150. And it came back to haunt us, those 28 runs that we lost by,” said Howard. (PH)

Motorcade Scheduled To Promote Concert

Please note the count down is on for Saturday, August 21st, 2010.

The organizers of the Fighting Back and Moving Forward concert have scheduled a Motorcade for Saturday, August 14, 2010 which will involve several of the artiste performing for the concert; Biggie Irie, Terry Mexican, Allison Hinds, Peter Ram, Salt, Mexican, Blood etc.

The motorcade leaves the Party Stand at 10:00 a.m. sharp with the group Freekz Customz leading. The convoy will make its way around the City of Bridgetown and its environs before heading back to the Party Stand. From the Party Stand the group will proceed to Wisers on Brandon's Beach for a lime from 12:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Layne And Trotman Crowned King And Queen

Egyptian queen Cleopatra and the formidable King Ferdinand of Spain are the new royalty in Society, St. John. Embodied by Zoe Trotman and Shaquille Layne, the two emerged as the cream of the royal crop at The Lodge School’s pageant last Sunday evening at the St. Gabriel’s auditorium.

Along with the coveted title, the pair copped best casual and formal wear. Layne’s formal wear featured the purple and white regal wear of the 15th Century, accentuated by white pantaloons and stockings. Trotman strutted in a white silk georgette gown, decorated with gold metallic lace. The look was finished by a gold headpiece.

She tied with Mara Weekes who, in keeping with her portrayal of Queen Nefertiti, donned a flowing white and orange chiffon gown, completed with Nefertiti’s signature headdress. The first runner up position went to Cherrie-Ann Wiggins who represented Queen Catherine and Chad Lowe as Prince Charles. Lowe and Weekes were the most photogenic of the 10 contestants.

Wiggins also walked away with best talent in the female category with the witty No Show, which dealt with the controversial cancellation of the Vybz Kartel/Mavado concert earlier this year. Johnathan Jeffrey’s rendition of John Legend’s If You’re Out There gained him best talent in the male category. Weekes was also the second runner up, sharing the title with Shai Edwards who portrayed Shaka Zulu. The pair were Mr. and Ms. Congeniality as well.

Edwards’ performance throughout the evening was commendable, much better than his final placement after the judge’s decision. He stood out in the talent and formal wear sections and was the only contestant to incorporate the royalty he represented in all sections of the show.

Other winners for the evening were Mario Boyce, who represented King Tutankhamun. He received incentive prizes for his punctuality and the most improved male. Most punctual female went to “Princess Diana” Jamilya Jordan, while Chantal Ward as Queen Isabella was the most improved female. (LW)

Althea Belgrave Women's Cross Country Assistant Coach

Entering her second season with the Rainbow Wahine track and field and cross country programs is former Barbados national champion Althea Belgrave. Belgrave will oversee the distance runners and the cross country team.

The former Barbadian national record holder in the 1500-meter event, Belgraves comes to Honolulu after serving as a graduate assistant at Florida State, where she oversaw the compliance and recruiting responsibilities for the Seminole women’s cross country team.

After arriving in the United States from her native St. John, Barbados, Belgrave attended the University of Idaho, where she spent four seasons as a member of the track and field team and two years with the cross country program. At Idaho, she earned all-Big West Conference honors in the 800-meter event in 1997. Belgrave also ran the 5000-meter

Belgrave is a three-time Barbadian national champion in the 800-meter and 1500-meter events, the latter of which she held the national record.

Following her graduation in 1997, Belgrave worked as a volunteer coach and then as a graduate assistant. As a graduate assistant, Belgrave handled middle and long distance runners on the 2003 Big West women’s championship track and field team. She also helped with meet management for indoor and outdoor home jumps events.

Belgrave earned her master’s degree in education at Idaho in counseling of human services.

Source: http://hawaiiathletics.com

Student Gives Art To QEH

The Children's Ward of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital has been given a lift - compliments of a sixth form student of The Lodge School.

Kevin Ward recently presented 20 hand-painted ceiling tiles created from fairy tales and nursery rhymes.

"I am very proud of the project. It was hard work, but it was all worth it and I hope the children like it very much," he said.

Jean Prescott-Bullen, head of The Lodge School's art and music department, said the paintings were done for Ward's Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations creative project.

The project was started last November, but the idea for the artwork came when one of Ward's friends visited the paediatric ward.

Ward said he had already received requests to create artwork for private homes, but for now, he will focus on upcoming exams. (LK)

Source: www.nationnews.com

Lodge On Track For Chess Win

The Lodge School Under 13 team has taken a commanding lead in the United Insurance Inter-School Chess Championship. After four rounds of competition, The Lodge School has accumulated 36 points from a possible 40 to lead the standings. The Lodge team has been in dominant form throughout the competition. The only team who managed to score any points against them was the Harrison College team which went down 6-4.

The round three clash between Harrison College and The Lodge School was the toughest battle so far as the two teams both, boasting a number of National Junior Players, fought for supremacy to gain the lead in this decisive round.

Harrison College entered round three just two points behind Lodge and was hoping for a big win to capture the lead, but Lodge, the defending champions, played with great determination and skill to extend their lead as they registered wins on boards two, three and five. Jakeel Harewood, Christopher Grant and O’Shara Mason won for The Lodge School while Rohansonn Waithe and Raheem Layne scored for Harrison College on boards one and four.

The Lodge players went on to defeat Combermere convincingly and put themselves in the firm control of their title defence. Harrison College also pulled off a big win against Queen’s College but they are still six points behind the leaders. Combermere is in third place on 18 points, closely followed by Queen’s College on 16 points.

This year’s under 13 division has seen a number young female players who came out of the primary school chess programme performing outstandingly for their new secondary schools. Nalini Persaud of Queen’s College, Cherise Austin of Combermere , O’Shara Mason of the Lodge School and Asha Chadderton of Harrison College have all made their mark on this year’s United Insurance Inter-school Competition. Action continues on Saturday at The St Michael School 9 a.m.

Source: http://www.barbadostoday.bb/ 17/03/2010

Lodge Principal Speaks On Overcrowding Of Schools

Even a maximum of 900 students is too large for secondary schools to manage. Principal of the Lodge School Trevor Pilgrim made this assertion at the school’s speech day this morning.

“I recently read in the newspapers with the construction of two new schools, that the maximum student roll in any secondary school will not exceed 900, which will considered to be the maximum number that the school can manage with reasonable ease. Eight hundred and fifty would be even better. But once you are over 1000, there are specific problems that emerge,” he said in his address.

Pilgrim was referring to Government’s plan to set a limit in the island’s secondary schools. It is to be one aspect of the Medium Term Development Strategy 2010-2014 aimed at the infrastructural development of the educational system and was prepared by the Ministry of Economic Affairs, Empowerment, Innovation, Trade, Industry and Commerce.

The principal of the Society, St. John institution said the school was overcrowded with a current roll of 1 039 students and the plant was not able to cater this number. This overcrowding has resulted in “a palpable restlessness and a lack of focus among some students”, he added.

The situation has also led Pilgrim to defend the idea of having two deputy principals in each school: one to deal with administrative matters and one to deal with problem solving. In this way, he said, principals can get on with the work of improving the programmes at their schools.

“Principals are bogged down with student’s complaints, irate parents and what I call ‘adminis-trivia’. Principals talents can be put to better use.” Pilgrim also lamented the behaviour of some parents who make it difficult to enforce order within schools.

“One problem that I have is the rapidly growing number of parents and guardians who do not support school policy and school rules. This leads to display of defiance from their children and wards,” he said.

“They thoroughly defend their ward’s enfringement of the school rules and show open hostility to principals. They are uncooperative, angry when their children are punished... and are always ready to run to the Ministry of Education, their lawyer or the press and sometimes all three with their version of events.”

However, giving into those parents was not an option, as Pilgrim believed “the school should remain a fortress of social control or society will be plunged into chaos.” The Lodge School, which has won numerous local and regional awards, championships and competitions over the past year, also highlighted some of its talent during the proceedings, including its own miniature Michael Jackson Jed Clarke and its various musical groups. (LW)

Source: http://www.barbadostoday.bb/

The Final Showdown

This will be THE FINAL SHOWDOWN... the event to settle the score once and for all. Who will be the victorious one?

Come out and see for yourself Saturday, March 27, 2010 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The best of the best will compete in this once in a lifetime track meet.

Coordinated by veteran coach Mac Fingall, assisted by June Caddle, Michael Jules and Michael Steel.

The athletes will face off in the 100m, 200m, 400m, 4X100 relays & 4X400 relays.

Live Music by Nikos Boxill - Admission $5.00.

Old Scholars Monthly Lime & Inter-House Sports

Please note that the Lodge School Old Scholars Monthly Lime will be held on February 5, 2010 at the Lodge School. It will coincide with the Lodge School Inter-House Sports.

We are encouraging all Old Scholars to wear their old house colours to the sports day. There will be fun events for the old scholars to participate in which will commence at approximately 1:00 p.m. just before the Relays. After the relays we will have a few more events before we retire to the School Hall for refreshments.

As usual we urge every one to bring their coolers the drinks the eats what ever we can share. Come out and support your old house, and by extension , the athletes who will be representing The lodge School at the upcoming Inter School Sports.

Look out for the Theme Limes. Coming at the end of February will be the Lovers Lime (Red and White affair).

Happy New Year