Promotion in Verchilds High School.

Published 18 August 2020

Buckie Got It, St. Kitts and Nevis News Source

Mr. Kelvin Alford is the Deputy at Verchilds High School

Here more from Mr Pastor Clive Clement Saunders

Good day all. Today I had the opportunity to go to the school to help in whatever way I can as we prepare for the 2020-2021 School Year. As I entered the office I recognize that Mr. Wilkinson my outgoing boss cleaning and preparing the office for his successor. That is when it really hit me that he’s actually leaving VHS for real and I got very emotional. He was an excellent colleague.

I have known Mr. Lonzo Wilkinson all of my life. I however got to know him better when I went to work at Verchilds High School in 2006. Mr. Wilkinson was always a hard working, dedicated, committed, honest, creative and innovative teacher. I admired him over the years especially teaching Geography, Wood Work and Sports. Sports was always a big thing for him at Verchilds High School. What was amazing is the fact that our school is so small but always take competition to a higher level.

When I got back home I sat down and started thinking about Verchilds High School and the contribution that Mr. Wilkinson made to his community school. Let’s look at some of the things he did as a teacher at this school:

1. He started the School Canteen.
2. Introduced the School PE CXC Program. He even told me years ago that VHS was the second school in the federation to attempt CSEC PE.
3. Develop a Geography Program to allow more students to pass CXC Geography. All other high schools took a model from VHS.
4. He always believe that VHS should be a self sustainable school so he wrote a proposal for our school to get our own drums and introduced. our school marching band.
5. He also wrote a proposal for us to get some funding to purchase our own track and field equipment which include a high jump bed. Up to this point no other school own a high jump bed. Thanks to the World Bank for sponsoring our school.
6. The school new logo with the hawk was his hard work and dedication.
7. The School Song Book was his hard work and dedication.
8. He introduced Students and Teachers Diaries.
9. He was the first to introduce Sports Day on a Sunday. Today most school adopted it.
10. VHS Sports Day is second to none. He was able to push his team to produce nothing but excellence.
11. He made the first set of picnic benches years ago. A man with vision.
12. He acquired funding to build the school first Gazebo.
13. He contructed the front area of the school to make it more welcoming.
14. Mr. Wilkinson coordinated the school 25 Anniversary activities with excellence.
15. All classes were fitted with white boards in less than two years.
16. He opened the Lower Home EC Centre.
17. This one was a big thing for teachers. He was able to secure AC Units for the two staff rooms, Technical Drawing Room, and Learning Resource Centre.
18. Introduced Theatre Arts as a subject.
19. Purchase a new sound system for the school.
20. Designed the PE Uniform.
21. Designed the school flag.
22. Changed our mascot from Fulkon to Hawks. He was truly the King of the Hawks.
23. Academics was always high on his Agenda. He believe in giving students chances to write CXC and CCSLC.
24. He was the first Principal to promote students after six weeks of excellent work.
25. He introduced medal presentation on Sports Day.
26. Introduced Student ID’S.
27. Introduced Dry Fit Friday T Shirts.
28. He designed the VHS Track Suit.

I can go on and on. Mr. Wilkinson we salute you today for your excellent and meritorious service to the Verchilds High School and to the community. We love and appreciate you. We will always remember you. I pray the blessings of God on you and your entire family. Sir, retire with your head lifted high. You did an excellent job. 34 + years is a lot. God will bless you indeed and enlarge your borders.

To our new Principal, we stand willing and ready to continue to build something that matters. I pray that you would come with new energy, creativity and a fresh vision to push VHS forward. I am very excited about what God is about to do.

To my wonderful VHS colleagues, let us continue to work together for the students and to develop the entire school in general. I look forward to working along with you (if the Ministry of Education see it fit)for the 2020-2021 school year. God bless!

Pastor Clive Clement Saunders