A Year Two pupil at the Morris Vanterpool Primary School at East End, many times dwarfed as he stood close to tall Governor Andrew George, told him: “You are a big giant.”

Student, Sheron: “You are a big giant”

The amused Governor responded with a question for him: “Won’t you like to be tall too?”

“Yeah,” the young boy replied.

Meeting with Principal Celestine John at Morris Vanterpool School.

That light-hearted exchange is an example of the simplicity and friendliness which surround a series of visits being paid to the schools on the island by Governor and Mrs. Andrew George. They visited the Island Harbour and Morris Vanterpool Primary Schools on Tuesday morning accompanied by Education Officer for Primary Education, Veda Harrigan.

Governor and Mrs. George meet Principal Susan Smith at Island Harbour Primary School

“This is a beautiful area to have a school,” commented the Governor as he shook hands with the Principal of the Island Harbour School, Susan Smith. She acknowledged the compliment and informed him that there were plans to build a new school just to the west of the present structure. The school, which is still in a relatively good condition, was built by Royal Engineers in 1971 during a period of infrastructural development which followed the 1969 British invasion triggered by the 1967 Anguilla Revolution.

At the Morris Vanterpool School, the Governor and Mrs. George were met by the Principal, Celestine John. What was immediately noticed at the school was that a rope was stretched across the drive way in an attempt to prevent vehicles from entering around the corner and posing a danger to the students. This was a well-conceived idea which even kept out the carefully-driven Governor’s car.

Kindergarten students with Teacher Tasha at Island Harbour School

During the official visits to both schools, the students gave the Governor, his wife and the accompanying Education Officer a well-rehearsed welcome to the credit of the class teachers. It showed a high level of civic responsibility on the part of the teachers and good manners and respect at the best on the part of the students.

Visits to the Road School at South Hill and the Alwyn Allison School at West End have been planned for Friday. The other schools in the Valley area will be visited next week.
The tours are part of a series of familiarisation visits being paid to Government departments and other places on the island by Governor George, who arrived in Anguilla on July 7. He replaced Governor Alan Huckle who was transferred to the Falklands.

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