BAJS bids farewell to Mr White

“Mr White” as he was called by staff and pupils alike was born in Roseau, Dominica, but came to Trinidad as a baby. At the tender age of seven he and his siblings were sent to piano lessons, and although the rest of them dropped out, White remained on the insistence of his mother who recognised that he had talent. At first he did not like music but by the time he reached Grade 3 as a teenager, he realised the value of music and had a burning desire to become more involved in it. He attended secondary school both in Trinidad at Fatima College and Cumbermere in Barbados, and continued his piano lessons until his departure to Toronto in 1974 to further his studies at the Royal Conservatory of Music.

Returning to Trinidad, the now qualified musicologist took up employment at Bishop Anstey Junior School and never looked back, driving from Arima to St Ann’s daily. Over the years White has successfully led the Upper School choir to many Music Festival Championships and the Recorder Group has also enjoyed continued success. Between 1987 and 2012 the year of the last festival, BAJS received top awards on numerous occasions, including the Champion of Champions Siegert Cup, Best Primary School Choir and Best Recorder Ensemble. In 2008, the staff entered as The Sounds of Monte Cristo and reached the championships in the Religious Music ladies choir class. In addition, the BAJS choir has won best musical performance twice at the San Fernando Arts Council Festival, has also performed with the Lydian Singers and as well in several concerts including at The President’s House, The Normandie, Trinidad Hilton, Long Circular Mall, West Mall, Queen’s Hall, Boys Scouts and the annual Christmas performance at MovieTowne in Port-of-Spain. With encouragement from past principal, Joyce Kirton, White’s most indelible legacy was composing the school song in 1994, but he has also composed other choruses and hymns the school body sings on a regular basis. Thirty-two years of young musicians, who have passed through White, attribute many of their successes to him. His passion, drive and discipline exemplify what being a musician is all about. During his tenure at BAJS, this humble, deeply-spiritual, God-fearing gentleman with a great sense of humour and a heart full of love, was a dedicated teacher and also father-figure to many students.

“Father White”, as he was often fondly called by the staff, was also well-known for his prayers and compassion and frequently led meaningful assemblies during which many teachers looked forward to his praise and worship sessions. Michael is married to Ann Marie White, who has been a pillar of strength and support throughout his entire career at Bishop Anstey Junior School, and continues to be. This blessed marriage has produced two sons, Maurice and Marlon, both BAJS alumni, who have followed in their father’s musical footsteps. White has been a blessing to everyone at BAJS where his legacy will live on through his stellar performance as a teacher and his immeasurable contribution toward the musical history of Bishop Anstey Junior School and by extension Trinidad and Tobago.

Moving on to the rest of the Awards ceremony, principal, Tina Schuler, herself a BAJS alumni, said “the school continues to enjoy success in many areas as we work hard to live our mission statement everyday.”

“Yes, I would say that we have extended our involvement in extra curricular perhaps as a result of some of the successes... swimming in particular is a real source of pride for us at the moment. We have won EVERY single meet that we have entered in the last 4-5 years!

“About the staff, we still have some ‘older (more mature) heads’ to keep us firmly grounded. What I would say is that our staff shows an exceptionally high level of commitment and initiative, going above and beyond in their dedication to the BAJS family and growing the BAJS culture/traditions.”

The school proudly celebrated top performers in academics, athletics, water polo, swimming, and above all the Secondary Education Assessment examination (SEA) when 49 students sat the examination. All 21 boys were placed in seven-year schools, and 27 girls were placed in seven-year schools. In Mathematics, a total of 78 percent of the class scored higher than 80. In the Language, 63 percent of the students scored more than 80 marks out of 100. In Creative Writing, 85 percent of the class scored more than 80 percent. The school which will next year celebrate its golden anniversary at Monte Cristo in St Ann’s, reportedly the only “Green School” in the north, also offers other extra-curricular activities such as football, cricket, cub scouts, pan, piano, dance, hockey, karate and gymnastics.

A school which started as a “small kindergarten” integrated into Bishop Anstey High School (the Anglican High School founded by Bishop Arthur Henry Anstey in 1921 for young ladies), became a reality in 1939 and was housed for a number of years at the Victoria Institute on Frederick Street before moving to the High School on Abercromby Street, where it was so successful as the junior school that it eventually had to find its own accommodation and in1 966, moved to its present location on the seven-acre Monte Cristo Cocoa Estate in St Ann’s.

It was eventually renamed Bishop Anstey Junior School and to quote from the school song composed by the now retired music teacher White, “We are blessed with green surroundings; Rivers clean and gently flowing; Trees with birds sweetly singing; Make each day aglowing.”