Newsletter, Issue # 59, Nov., 2010

St. George's College
Old Boys'
Association

ON, Canada

Part 2 of 4

Part 1

Part 3

Part 4

As the anticipation for the 2010 Manning Cup season grows, I often wonder:  am I the oldest living Blue who has played in the tournament for St. George’s? 

      I entered St. George’s in January 1934 at the age of thirteen years. In 1935, Arthur McKenzie, who was the coach of the football team, selected Waldie Ricketts, Leslie Rampie and me for the Manning side. I played outer right (or right wing) from among the invitees.  The three of us remained on the team which won the Manning cup in 1935, 1936 and 1937. So, unlike the current radio announcements that history would be made should St George’s win again this year, let it be known that St George’s already has a triple win under its belt.

      I also played on the team that won the Oliver Shield in 1935 and 1937. In 1938 we reached the finals for the Shield but were defeated by Wolmer’s Boys. It was a hard blow and it took us many years to come to terms with that result.  That same year, I started playing for the Old Boys in the Senior Knock Out Competition and we defeated Kingston Cricket Club in the final. I remember Claude McMorris on the team.  Also, I made the Jamaica National football team that year and played until 1948 when I was both captain of the Old Boys and the national team.

     Having represented Jamaica at home and abroad, I retired from competitive football at age 28 years. Five years later, I trained as a coach in Haiti and went on to coach the Old Boys winning at least three trophies and I also had the distinction of becoming coach to the National team. During the 1960s, I coached Jamaica College, Clarendon College, Titchfield and Mannings High Schools finally hanging up my boots in 1968.

       I love football at all levels, World Cup, European, Latin American, and Reggae Boyz and of course, watching St. George’s regain its dominance in this sport.  The game has changed, as all sports have, and I notice that the game has become more defensive.  Football gave me focus and discipline which I have successfully applied to other aspects of my life. I must thank Father Walter Ballou, Sports master and Father Conti, my Form Master who played a significant role in my development as a student and footballer. Arthur McKenzie had a great deal of influence with his words “there is no defence that can stop us!”  I will never forget my friend, Waldie Ricketts—we grew up together in Jones Town and shared a lifelong friendship. We would reminisce on our games. How he would have loved to be here today to see beloved St. George’s on the cusp of another glorious year. He was a True Blue.  Are any other of my team mates out there? If yes, please contact me at noelghall@hotmail.com

Noel Hall

Editor’s Note;
Noel Hall turned 90 this year and is still fit, strong and mobile. He is probably the oldest living old boy and, as he says, would love hearing from other Georgians.
Contact him at:  noelghall@hotmail.com

In 1943 a bright young man, Keith Noad, left Alpha Elementary School and armed with a scholarship walked through the doors of St. George’s College to leave a mark that is difficult to replicate.

      Keith Noad has set standards and can make a good claim on being the student who has successfully parti-cipated in more activities than any other graduate. He was the first teenage cadet Lieutenant in Jamaica; a scout leader who became scout master. He was an altar server, Sodality prefect, member of the drama club and debating society and finalist in the elocution contests at the school. He was house captain for Campion leading them to Victory in the house standings. He was a member of the Lance Publishing  committee, the Phi Gamma Chi  Honorary society (on the invitation of the Jesuits) and in his last two years at St. George’s was voted the most popular student- this by student vote.

On the sporting side, Keith was an all round athlete representing the school in Track and Field, Football, Cricket, Boxing, Softball, Swimming and Diving, Lawn Tennis, Table Tennis, He also played handball and field hockey. In his first year at St. George’s he participated in the Manning Cup (at age 13).

      He remembers the 1943 Manning Season for two very good reasons.  It was the first year that girls were allowed to see, free of charge, any matches in which their counter-part schools participated; so St. Andrew’s was allowed to see J.C.,  Similarly St. Hugh’s /KC; Alpha/St. George’s and Wolmer’s Girls/Wolmer’s Boys. The second reason was the decision by the Manning Cup Committee to once again have matches played at the home grounds of the schools. He attributes this latter change to their horrendous loss to Calabar on Calabar’s home ground, due to spectator interference in the game, to the benefit of the home team. It was a rowdy game in which officials had difficulty dealing with the partisan crowd. Calabar went on to win the Manning cup.

      In Track & Field, Keith broke the school’s class II 100-yards record at Winchester Park with a time of 10.2  seconds (record still unbroken) and representing Jamaican schoolboys  in an inter-colonial track meet vs. Trinidad,  also broke the 100 yds. record with a time of 10.3 seconds. He was one of three schoolboys including Karl (Digger) Largie-on defence and Claude McMorris on the winning StGC old Boys major league team. Keith was on the forward line with Noel Hall, Arthur McKenzie, Claude McMorris and Victor Best. While also still a schoolboy he played Cricket and football for Kensington Club and cricket for Melbourne.

       Yes, he  can  lay the claim, also, of being  the most versatile sportsman  the school has  produced, and he excelled in several  of these sporting activities as well.

This bright young man skipped form 2 and graduated in the class of 1947.

       Keith’s management and leadership skills began to shine shortly after leaving school.  He coached St. George’s College’s Manning & Walker Cup teams, Colts Football & Cricket and Arawaks F.C Atlanta, Georgia and also Manchester Parish Teams with 11 cup wins and three runners up. He was selected by the Jamaica Football Federation to represent the island at a coaching seminar in Mexico. He founded the famous Minor League competition (The longest sponsored competition in the Caribbean.  The development of football in Manchester and St.Elizabeth is largely the result of his tireless efforts.

       Keith in his lifetime has been President of nine associations, vice President of five. He studied art at the Edna Manley College for the Visual Arts and has had his paintings exhibited in the States. In the Kissimmee Art Show and Fair,  his paintings won three First Prizes, ten 2nd Prizes and two 3rd prizes.

       He initiated the first Art Exhibition in Poinciana Fla.

       This all round dedicated Georgian has throughout his life given freely and openly of himself in helping others in both Jamaica and the States.  He has reached out to the young and the elderly in their times of need and many have fond memories of this caring hand as it touched their lives.

        Keith has lived a life exemplifying the values of his Jesuit education. A true Georgian.

Robbie Vernon

Editor’s note:  Keith spends his retirement years in an eldercare facility in Kissimmee, Florida. He cherishes phone calls and, more so, visits.  Here is an opportunity for those who have felt his touch of kindness in their lives to give back. He did just that for so many. Be patient if calling- He may be in Physio or other therapy areas. Personal cell # 1-407-927-5615 Address; The Palms- room 211A, 221 Mark Place Blvd, Kissimmee Fla. 34741.Tel # 1-407-935-0200.

Greetings Old Boys and Friends of St. George’s College

The 2010-2011 academic year is well under way.  It was a difficult start, with the loss of our Dean of Sixth Form, Marsha Anderson, who passed away suddenly on September 9, 2010.  She was a wonderful teacher and an efficient Dean.  She was greatly loved and will be sadly missed by staff members, and students, past and present.

        This storm was followed by another in the form of Tropical Storm Nicole, which forced the closure of school for three days at the end of September, and caused damage to the ceilings of the Dinand Building which houses our second and third forms.

        Despite the challenges of reopening, the College continues to thrive.  Our theme for the academic year is “Awakening the Leader Within” as we encourage all members of the School Community to utilize their skills and talents positively and to use initiative to solve problems.  This is yielding fruit: 

•           Parents are actively and positively involved in a number of activities; mentoring classes, assisting at the gate in the morning and providing breakfast for welfare students. 

•           Our first Senior Teachers’ retreat at Breezes Runaway Bay at the end of August, set the tone for the year as Senior Teachers came away with a shared vision of distributed leadership which can only lead to greater success for the College. 

•           Our student leaders are working well and together we have established programs to assist especially our most at-risk students to “Awaken the Leader Within”.

•           Staff morale is high and teachers are actively involved in school improvement projects.

        Our football teams are well into their season and our basketball teams have just started theirs.  All the teams are doing well.  Our other sports and clubs and societies are active and growing and it is a pleasure to see the positive “busy-ness” of the campus after school each day.

        We had a visit on Friday, October 29, 2010 from Chief Armand LeBarge and other officers of the York Regional Police in Ontario.  The group was visiting the island to perform community service with Father Ho Lung’s Missionaries of the Poor.  I was humbled by the presentation of a beautiful plaque that reads “Deeds Speak”, by Chief LaBarge. The group toured the Campus and chatted with teachers and students. In a few minutes of levity, one member of the group demonstrated his football prowess with a group of second form students at P.E.

        One of our fourth form students, Mario Spencer, is battling cancer and needs surgery.  Through the generous contributions of the Chase Fund, donations from Old Boys and collections by students, we have managed to identify the funds needed.  Please keep him in your prayers.  One growing area of undeniable need is student welfare. It is a joy to see the Student Council planning fund raisers to meet the needs of fellow students.  This confirms for me that we are meeting our goal of shaping men and women for others and that we are truly on the path to achieving excellence. 

         I would like to thank the Old Boys Association Ontario Chapter for welcoming me in the summer.  I thoroughly enjoyed the Annual Summer Ball.  Very special thanks to Robbie and Heather Vernon who welcomed me into their home.  We have received the proceeds of the Ball and we thank you; the funds were greatly needed and greatly appreciated.  Thank you for the example of service that you are, and may God likewise bless you all.

Margaret Campbell
Principal 

 
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