Only you can save TT

The message was given by former principal at the school, Fr Clive Pantin, when he delivered the feature address at yesterday’s annual distribution of prizes at the school hall on Mucurapo Road, St James.

Pantin, who is also the CEO of FEEL, said there were high expectations from the boys.

"Only the Fatima boys can save the country. You can do it," he encouraged.

He noted that the school has been in existence for 60 years, and the Fatima boy has always demonstrated qualities worthy of emulation. Using various examples from his experience at the school, Pantin said he had seen the Fatima boy showing integrity, compassion, care, perseverance and patience, smartness and working hard. He urged the current student population to continue to portray those qualities and heed their call.

To parents of the Fatima boys, Pantin told them the importance of setting examples for their children, and advised of their role "of eternal vigilance and to check their school books too."

He also reminded the boys of the school’s Catholic connection, saying they were "expected to live the examples of Jesus Christ."

"You are his disciples and are expected to follow his examples."

Pantin also acknowledged a letter received by another former principal, Mervyn Moore, from a past student who now lives in California. The student, Alfonso Marshall, now known as Austin Stoker in the US film industry, wrote begging for his reinstatement at the school, after he was expelled for impertinence in 1947. Pantin said he had asked the school board to write Stoker a letter of forgiveness, and reinstate him so he can be recognised as a Fatima Old Boy.

In his principal’s report, Principal Anthony Garcia pointed out that as the school celebrates its 60th anniversary, it was also a time for adaptation and change.

He said those who failed to accept such were doomed to extinction. However, because of the importance of the institution, the least that was expected from the boys, "is to ensure that the college continues to produce the calibre of men who will be symbols of what is good and noble."

Garcia advised the boys to be conscious of the small things they do, as it was those acts which may go unnoticed that will define the type of human beings they are.

Garcia said the school received a 97 percent pass rate in this year’s Cambridge Advanced Level exams, 95 percent in the CAPE exams and 85 percent in the CXC/GCE O ’Level exams.

Speaking on behalf of the school board, Fr Ron Mendez told students to always stand up and do the right thing.

Among Fatima’s achievements this year were seven further additional scholarships — Akiel Ghany, Johnathan Jarvis, Scott St John, Rishie Ramkissoon, Anil Latchman, Jevan Stephen and Antonio Gellineau. The latter three were also ranked among the top ten in the world based on the A’ Level exams.

At yesterday’s awards, Gellineau received several medals and trophies including the Lady of Fatima College Cup, for being the student who best exemplifies the ideals of the college. Now pursuing studies in Mechanical Engineering at Columbia University, Gellineau came home for the function.

Awards were also presented yesterday to students from Forms One to Six for their performance.