By Vishani Ragobeer
Labelled as the premier secondary institution in Guyana, Queen’s College is a diverse institution that has surmounted 172 years of existence. As a student of Queen’s College, I can attest that this school fosters academic and co-curricular growth of its students, though many may contest otherwise. Many times our Guyanese folks and even those in the greater Caribbean, look at Queen’s College as the paramount academic institution. This is as a result of their cognizance of the unfaltering levels of exceptional CSEC and CAPE results produced every year.
Writing more than 11 subjects at the CSEC level is a highly controversial topic in our society, but happens to be a common feat at Queen’s College.
At this year’s Education Month rally held on 16th September, the Minister of Education, Dr Rupert Roopnarine said “Children who come out with a deep sense of culture, who understand comradeship, whose humanity is enlarged” are the attributes he wishes all children in the education system would possess, instead of writing many subjects.
Two of this year’s CSEC top students from QC, Aadilah Alli and Kayshav Tewari, who copped 22 and 19 subjects respectively, participated in many co-curricular activities. Kayshav actively took part in sporting activities while Aadilah was involved in arts and craft; they were both actively involved their respective religious clubs and in debating.
At Queen’s College, no student is exclusively academic. We have a multitude of clubs and societies that caters for each student’s individuality and interest. Need I add that we are also very social? Dance and Drama, Debating and Sporting competitions aren’t left out either- as we participate in these too, and sometimes we win!
Stepping entirely outside of the academic realm of QC however, there is the rich history and legacy that accompanies the institution’s existence since 1844. This history and legacy is one which is celebrated throughout the world by the young and the old- who all share the commonality of being a QC student.
The institution has surpassed both World Wars and honours the past masters and old boys from QC that fought in these wars each year at the annual Remembrance Day Ceremony.
The Guyanese culture is not left out of the mix- as we also have our annual Inter-house cultural dance competition and Cultural Day, which both take place right around “Mash” time, where Guyanese wear and dance are displayed and food and drink are on display (and well… for sale).
Let’s not forget our Annual Inter-house Sport’s Day… or should I say month? All through September, each year, every single student is involved in marching, or in throwing sports such as discus, shot put and javelin- or in athletics- or all of these events. Throughout “Sports Month” the students all try their hardest to earn points for their respective “houses.” There is also a “Fitness Competition” where the houses send forth their fittest warriors in each age category to compete in this event.
On Sport’s Day, the month-long events culminate into the March Pass- a kaleidoscope of the school’s houses adorned in their house colours and then the Athletics- where the best of QC’s ten houses emerge victorious!
The legacy and diversity that emulates from Queen’s College and the fact of Queen’s College students being well-rounded while remaining steadfast to their academics- all show what it means to be QC.