As the Stoney Ground Primary School observed its 30th Anniversary, parents, teachers and students were told that it was one of the best built schools in Anguilla and that over the past three decades the structure had remained in excellent shape.

One of the large sections of children at the Anniversary Service

Words to that effect were spoken by the Principal, Marilyn Richardson, while delivering a short address at a special anniversary service at the Church of God (Holiness) on the Queen Elizabeth Avenue on Wednesday, September 30.

“The Stoney Ground Primary School opened its doors as a place of learning on Monday, September 12, 1977 with 402 students under the leadership of Mrs. Orealia Kelly and about nine or ten teachers,” Mrs. Richardson stated. “The school was built to ease the overcrowding at the Valley Primary School whose roll had reached almost 1,000 students.”

Another large section of children at the Anniversary Service

She gave a detailed account of the early operation of the Stoney Ground School which comprises three buildings with one block, unlike today, having been used as a woodwork centre and a housecraft room.

The Principal said there were 365 students, from all over the island, at the school from kindergarten to grade six with a full staff of 19 teachers. The structure of the school has undergone various changes over the years to provide better accommodation for teachers and students as well as members of the public attending functions.

Education Officers and Teachers

Mrs. Richardson noted that well-known businessman and former public servant, Hugo Rey, served as the Engineer during the construction of the school building with Neil Carty as Foreman, Geoffrey and Monsell Hughes being the main builders along with a number of other workers.

Minister of Social Development, Evans Rogers, who was one of the early teachers at the school, congratulated the present and past teachers for their work. He said they had moulded the minds of many former students who were now holding various important positions in Anguilla and abroad.

He expressed the hope that the school would realise greater achievements in developing the island’s human resource capacity.

Minister Evans Rogers and Principal Marilyn Richardson

A past student, Pastor Jerome Harrigan, was also one of the speakers at the ceremony which was chaired by Farrah Banks, another former student, now Acting Director of Information and Broadcasting.

A number of past principals and teachers were presented with plaques and certificates for their contribution to the school over the years.

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