Welcome to the feature segment of our 2001 Millennium Edition Presentation College Magazine. This year we have decided to pay special tribute to the fire that burns in us everyday, that force that drives us on, our Pres Spirit. We hope that this segment may be useful to the reader, by helping to accept the concept of the Pres Spirit and what it means to us all. So please sit back and relax, read on and keep an open mind, we hope that you too may find yourself being enthralled with the Pres Spirit.

The Pres Spirit™
By: Kevin Parmassar Segment Co-ordinator

What is the Pres Spirit? What is this phenomenon that all Presentation College students, both past and present and those who are affiliated with the school believe in? The answers to these questions are very difficult to express and explain, but nevertheless, because of my strong faith and love for our Spirit, I would try my best to share it with you.

The Pres spirit is a magnificent manifestation of the pride, integrity and brotherhood of the students and people who are all part of our Presentation Family. Our family can be considered as an oversized, basic but special family. We have our Father figures and Mother figures who guide us through our development into young adulthood. As students, we play the part of the children of the family, with an extraordinary sense of togetherness as we live and go through our daily lives together, each person depending on the other.

The development of this spirit begins from the first day a young boy visits the school as he enters Form 1. The boy literally falls in love with the school, its atmosphere, people, everyday activities and even the rare occurrences. From that day onwards this student grows, physically, emotionally, academically and morally with this wonderful school as his background. This spirit lifts his enthusiasm and concentration since he is willing to give his all, his greatest effort to make his school proud and give something back for all that it has given him.

The Pres spirit is what drives us along each day. It can be seen in our genuine love for our school, a love that only those who have been part of it can understand. It is an intoxicating spirit; this I say in the sense that it excites you to a point where you are willing to do just about anything to show your pride in your school. Experiencing our true spirit can be addictive; reference can be drawn to the marvelous support we had during our previous 2000 Intercol season where the supporters, after experiencing one dramatic, suspense filled match coupled with the background of a never ceasing supporting body, could not take the chance and miss the other matches; they all decided that they just had to be there.

On a more religious note, we can acknowledge that our Pres Spirit may also be a manifestation of the Holy Spirit, working through the lives of our Pres Boys. This statement generally can be supported with reference to the Gospel of St. Matthew where he says, "…. It is not you who will be speaking, but the Spirit of our Father will be speaking in you."Mt.10: 20-21. With this is mind we can adapt this excerpt to our own lives; it is not totally you who will be acting, but the Pres Spirit, the manifestation of the Holy Spirit, will be acting through you, influencing you as you live your lives. Another Bible quote that we Pres Boys hold closely is: " There is nothing I cannot do in the One who strengthens me." Phil 4:10-20. As we attend our school everyday and take part in every aspect of our school life we are faced with many obstacles, but as true Pres Men we trust in God and His Spirit - the Pres Spirit which strengthens us and helps us to overcome any obstacle.

The development of the Pres Spirit is facilitated in every aspect of our school life. For those of you who have never experienced a day in the life of a typical Pres Boy, here is a sample of enlightenment.
We start our day by coming together as a family, first of all thanking God for our lives and offering all our daily actions to Him. As we go through our classes during the day, every teacher makes any extra effort to have each student involved in the class. In this way the students learn by example that we must make every effort to help anyone who is in need and that every person is equally important. Co-curricular activities provide the opportunity for every club, society, team or foundation to develop their own brotherhood to work together and become men who can go out into the society and make their Alma Mater proud. This is our Spirit at work.

However, there is one thing I should note. We need to be always conscious of what we represent. We as Pres Men represent the best that the world can offer. We have to encourage God's Spirit to influence us in everything that we do each day. We must improve on our courtesy, stature and pride in ourselves. Everyone looks up to us as examples of young gentlemen enchanted with a drive to move forward. Let us not disappoint anyone.

In our last magazine the editor Mr. Stephen Khan made an analogy in his editorial that the Pres Spirit is like Kool Aid. At the time he concluded that our Spirit simply needed stirring up. Now three years have passed and there has been change. Our Spirit has been stirred, through the on-going efforts of our extremely faithful senior students. Now, we slowly pass down the job to our younger brothers. We bid them to play their part,
nurture the Spirit, add flavour and keep it stirred, most of all do not let it die.

+May the Grace of Our Lord bless you and be with you always.+

Reminiscing Our Spirit

The following section features some stories and descriptions of events that have occurred during the past three years. These events have been included because they have all had a major impact on our lives as Pres Boys. The articles are actually illustrations of our Pres Spirit at work and we hope that they would help in making the phenomenon understandable to the reader who has not yet experienced it.

Tigers Send 'Pres' Home

This article is an actual extract from the Express Newspaper written by Garth Wattley dated 2nd November 1999 and is featured as a wonderful example of the courage and dedication brought about through the Pres Spirit.

It's hard to keep a sunny disposition when your side is being beaten out of sight.

But in a game where the rain poured down bucket-a-drop and the goals poured in at the Hasely Crawford Stadium, the Presentation College posses never dropped their rhythm. Or lost heart.

It did not seem to matter that their side gave them just one of the seven goals to cheer at.

For even after the southerners had seen their beloved "Pres" ripped to shreds by the

"Tigers" from St. Anthony's College, the masses in blue and white assembled to the west were still in full voice.

"We not goin home!" they chanted, "We not goin home!" And they did

not budge until their soggy and dejected team trotted across to salute them.

It was a priceless moment, a reminder in these sometimes passionless nineties of the spirit of a bygone era. But no amount of fervour could alter the 6-1 scoreline, or the fact that Presentation College are out of the Royal Bank Intercol.

While the "Pres" fans and their rhythm sections won the battle of the supporters hands down, on the field it was a no-contest.
At a conservative estimate, St. Anthony's muffed as many chances as they scored. So rampant were they in the second half , greed sometimes overtook them. The rain had stopped by then. And against a side struggling to keep their shape, the slick but not too heavy surface was tailor-made for the shifty, nippy players in red and white.

It had been a different story in the first half, though. That was a tale of two penalties and one heroic goalkeeper.

Twice the Presentation custodian Marvin Phillip was put to the test from the spot; twice he came up trumps.

The game was just six minutes old when he dived to his left, first to parry a Sean Cooper kick and then to block two follow-up attempts. Half-hour later, when Cooper was tripped in the box, Phillip, the national Under-17 reserve keeper, had the southern posses howling again, pushing away Gary Gibbings's kick.

But Presentation's hopes of parity at the half faded when Damien Westfield pounced six minutes before the interval. Latching onto a pass threaded through the middle of the Presentation defence, he shot crisply into the left corner of the net.

It opened the floodgates but not immediately. In the second half, the Tigers led by Cooper, rushed in.

The St. Anthony's winger scored just one of the five second-half items. But he was more architect than executioner, creating four. Given acres of space in which to play, he roamed the pitch as did many of his colleagues. But he proved not to be the aimless wanderer.

One minute into the second period. Cooper's run from midfield took out one, then two defenders before a pass to the right found Abiola Clarence. He fired non-chalantly into the far corner.

Fading Presentation hopes were revived after four minutes later
when skipper Kern Bernard converted the third penalty of the game.

But right-winger Wendell Alexander re-established the status quo in the 71st minute.
Cooper found him from the left, and he scored from the right with a shot that slipped from Phillip's grasp and went in at the near post. The iron men were still pounding their rhythms. But only the Tigers were on the move.

Cooper, shifting his man right, then drilled a shot past Phillip for number four with sixteen minutes left.

And before the end, Clarence got a second and substitute Marcus Rodriguez his first since recovering from injury.

He ran away to celebrate that strike and his side's passage into the quarterfinals where they will meet North rivals Queen's Royal College.

All the Presentation posse had left was their music and their spirit. But that was enough for them.

Presentation College San F'do vs Arima Senior Secondary
A supporter's perspective.

By: Kevin Parmassar 61Sc2

A sense of excitement filled the air. The entire school body was awaiting the final bell to stop classes so they can make their way down to Skinner Park to see their team compete. Our school's second round football match in Intercol was scheduled as the second game of a much anticipated double - header.

A fairly large group of Presentation College students and supporters had by this time, settled into the pavilions around the football field. Sitting there one could just sense the anxiety building among the Pres Boys.

In the earlier game, we had just seen our archrivals and defending champions, Naparima College defeat an under-achieving St. Anthony's College team. The same St. Anthony's which brought our football season to a joyful climax one year ago. Ironically though, we chose to support St. Anthony's over our fellow southerners.

When the Naparima team and the beaten "Tigers" finally left
the field, the Presentation College team walked out onto the pitch with their opponent Arima Senior Secondary escorted by the match officials. Arima must be commended for their symbolism of unity as they trotted out holding hands.

As our team clad in white, blue and gold lined up on the field, they were welcomed by a loud applause. The "Pres" rhythm section, which was missing a few of its key members tried to get the fire of support blazing. Their efforts were constantly under attack and were subject to insults from students of other schools whom we thought were sitting in the wrong pavilion. Due to the trivial attacks and insults we were left to watch the entire first half in silence.
Four minutes into the game, we watched as our team went behind by one goal, which was a result of a well-taken free kick that found the net. Now if it were any other school, one would find the spectators with their heads buried in their hands to hide their worry filled eye, but with Pres Boys there is a total difference. We held our heads high and kept looking on with anticipation.

The first half proved to be a rather un-eventful one with the ball travelling from one end of the field to the other and the occasional shot at goal from either team.

As the half time interval whistle blew, the players slowly trotted over to their respective benches. Suddenly out of nowhere, the sixth form members of the Presentation College Scout Band emerged bringing with them their bass drums, side drums, snare drums

and bugles. All the Pres supporters looked down at them from the pavilion as if they were saviours to the school.

As soon as the settled in, they began to play their entire ensemble of rhythms that were all so popular in our school and in the entire city. The bass drums banged and the rhythm of the snare drums played on. The supporters were totally energized and ready to cheer on their team.

The college's players practically began to dance on the field as the second half kicked off. We all see an inspired, boosted team playing now. The ball travelled from one end to the other and our team was enjoying the majority of possession with terrific work by team captain Makesi Bostic and Jade Jones in the midfield positions.

By this time, everyone who was supporting Pres had come down from the stands and stood round the drums forming a large crowd between the pavilions and the field. We chanted to the rhythm of the drums,
"Presentation, we want a goal," and supported our players in the best way known to us.

In the sixty-fifth minute, our celebration time had come. Sean "Super Indian" Siloch, our star striker collected the ball from a precisely taken free kick and shot a beautiful but powerful half-volley past Arima's goalkeeper causing the net to finally bulge. Our crowd went wild. It was an extremely precious moment as the bugles
blared and the supporters jumped to the rhythm of the excellent drumming which really showed what Pres is all about.

The celebration never stopped from that moment. The supporters chanted and cheered louder and with even more enthusiasm they were begging that same striker to reward them with one more goal, a winning goal that would take us into the Quarterfinal stage.

Some time after, we got our reward. Siloch took advantage of a blunder in the Arima defence, he won the ball and pushed it forward then gently but with great skill tapped it into the goal out of the custodian's reach.

This sent the Pres fans wild. We jumped, chanted for Siloch and
danced to the drumming. Everyone had a smile on their faces, every single person present. We began to chant for the referee to blow his whistle and confirm our victory.

We watched anxiously as our goalkeeper was forced to make some wonderful saves. Finally the whistle blew, the players walked over to their benches and all our supporters rushed onto the field to congratulate them. The drummers followed and never stopped the rhythm, keeping the mood on a high. The players paid tribute to the supporters as they told us that if it wasn't for our chanting and drumming, the result might have been a whole lot different. It was our spirit that pushed them on.

The Presentation Spirit is a remarkable thing. The next morning we all came together as a school family for assembly. After we had prayed and reflected on the day's gospel, Bro. Michael, our Principal announced the victory to the entire school body. The drummers immediately played their tunes, flags were waving bugles were blaring and we were chanting. The drums slowed as Bro. Michael congratulated the team and game special thanks to Sean Siloch for his wonderful effort. He was a bit shy to stand and take his recognition but he did express his thanks to all the supporters. The drums roared again as the flag bearer went wild and led us all out onto the school field for a small celebration of our own changing the entire school atmosphere.

We had gone into the match as underdogs against the top ranked team in the East/Central Zone, but because of the strong effect of the spirit of the supporters, the true Pres Spirit of the players we came out as the victors. About fifteen minutes later we had to go to our classes to some dismay, but we settled down with the wonderful memory with us, a memory of a spirit so strong that it could inspire to achieve anything.

Semi final Intercol Action
Presentation College vs. Naparima College

The rhythm was invigourating; it was one of the proudest days for the Presentation College Championship Football Team as they trotted out onto football field at Skinner Park. Once again they came out at the start of the game as under-dogs to their opponents. It was the first time in over 3 years that they had made it to the semi-final round of the Intercol competition. This was definitely the most awaited and publicized match of the Intercol series.
Coming into the match Pres, even though as under-dogs, was on a high from winning their last three games against some of the best teams in the country. On the other hand though, Naps were also ready and anxious to play their best against their southern archrivals with the confidence of winning their previous games, one of which they defeated the current League Champions, Malick.

Earlier during the day every person on the Pres College
compound seemed to be somehow occupied with preparations for the evening's game. The championship
footballers were aimlessly walking around the compound, focusing and concentrating on what they
would have to do that afternoon. Many of the students were busy
having their faces painted in the school's colours, blue, white and
gold. Even the Pres Scout Band and the Rhythm Section was
getting ready changing their drum skins and tuning the drums so they would be in top condition for the big event. It was an extremely fantastic feeling as the tension grew continuously throughout the day as the kick-off time approached.

School was dismissed a half-hour earlier in order to ensure a maximum attendance at the match.

Entering Skinner Park, one could just feel the atmosphere filled with excitement, anxiety and joy.

There were uniforms of all colours present most of them supporting Pres. The rhythm section were already blasting out their tunes and everyone was eagerly awaiting the arrival of the teams. There were even a few lower six Pres boys going around ensuring everyone present had at least a streak of blue somewhere on their body.

The poor Naps boys who were generally excited also had to move over into the visitor's pavilion even though Skinner Park was their home field. This was because the masses of Pres supporters had already filled the home pavilion to its capacity and there was a large crowd at the foot of the pavilion growing.

Then the crowd became fully alive and everyone shouted and showed their support for Pres as the teams both walked out onto the football field. They took their season team pictures and were ready to start the game. Everyone rose in their voices and peered over the heads of the person in front of them to have a glimpse of the teams. As the whistle blew the Pres Scout Band and the Rhythm section got into full swing.
After a while they slowed down and gave way for the Point Fortin Engine Room, which got the entire stand into a bit calmer mood.

The match soon heated up, but as fate would have it, it was not going to be a Pres day. They had not beaten Naps for the entire season and it was apparently not going to change. Their last meeting during the League stage of the season Naps defeat Pres with a score line of 5-1. In as early as the 11th minute, Naps grabbed their first goal through a header coming off a right side corner kick. Thirty seconds later the score changed to 2-0 as they got their second goal from virtually the same situation. This however, did not to daunt the spirits of the Pres supporters, who instead lifted their voices above those of the celebrating Naps boys and urged their players on.

Within five minutes they were rewarded. Presentation's top striker Sean "Super Indian" Siloch, who was the only player in the competition who scored a hat trick, made a fine chip which brought the score to 2-1. His goal was later termed as the best goal of the game by both Pres and Naps supporters. The Pres supporters went into a total frenzy, the pavilion literally rocked as the Pres Boys jumped in celebration. The mood never dropped from that

point. Everyone, boy, girl, parents and teachers all sang the words of the famous list of "Pres Chants".

The score remained the same until half time. As the teams took their time to rest at the half, the Pres supporters remained jubilant as everyone took chances at meeting new people that were in attendance.

As the second half began everyone had enough hope that Pres could produce another goal, a vital goal that would level the scoreline and give them better chance of advancing to the final. However Naps increased their lead in the 69th minute and Andre Coombs was brought onto the field to join the Pres attack. Andre "Sex Beast" Coombs was a striker similar to that of Siloch in the sense that he was very capable to score vital goals. Coming off the bench with 6 previous goals from the league stage we all were certain that he could team up with Siloch and give us some glory.
Unfortunately not even these two fantastic strikers could change the scoreline and stop the defending champions on that day. Naps sealed their win with a fourth goal in the 88th minute. At this time everyone in the Pres Pavilion knew that we were not going to the final and that once again we had lost to this Naps team. Nevertheless, they never became disenchanted because they were true Pres Men.

Everyone there adapted to the Pres spirit and realized that no matter what happens we do not wallow in our losses but rejoice and show our joy for what we have achieved.

Pres undoubtedly had at that time and still has at present the best Spirit in the twin island republic if not the world. As the referee ended the game we watched as the Naparima supporters made their way out of their stands and out the compound. Meanwhile our Scout Band and the rhythm section lead the Pres support out onto field to show our appreciation to the

team and its management for the wonderful season it has produced and the great opportunities that were a result. They had played their best and ended the season being part the elite top four teams in the country after starting with twenty-nine others. It was their best run in many years and even better is expected in the future. It will indeed be a sad day for any team when they face Pres again, for they would not only be against eleven of the best players, but also against a twelfth player, that of the ever-growing, ever-powerful and everlasting Presentation Spirit.
Our Spirit Will Overcome.

All the Small Things

The following is a compiled list of the little things that we observe everyday. These little things, as trivial as they may seem are unique to Presentation College and they illustrate that The Pres Spirit is acting and living within us everyday in every little thing we do.

v Students are hesitant to stay at home during the term because they are afraid they might miss something exciting at school.
v The boys at the morning assembly always applaud the efforts of any college team even if they had lost.
v Any Presentation College student would genuinely defend his school if he is faced with a situation where his college is being criticized.
v Some boys who live the furthest from the College still make every extra effort to attend football matches to give their fullest support to their Pres team.
v Students are not afraid to run heats against other top national athletes within the school in order to show
faithfulness to their house and win a point for participation.
v At our Sports Day the winning house turns out to be the smallest house and the victory was achieved through a total team effort.
v When the Sports Day final result was announced all the senior members of the houses congratulate each other in respect for their efforts.
v The Scout Band Leader overcame the pain of a sprained wrist (which plays a major role when playing a snare drum) to lead the parade of houses at the Sports Day.
v Choir members sacrifice the time, both night and day to rehearse for the school's annual production. Note that rehearsals sometimes go well past 10:00PM
v Past students never hesitate to visit their Alma Mater even if they just sit on the covered-way and look around the compound.
v The school compound is never empty, even on holidays, weekends and during vacations.
v The majority of male staff members are Pres past students.
v Teachers are always willing to sacrifice their spare time to help a student in need of extra guidance.
v An injured teacher gives the extra effort to maintain the standard of discipline within the school and never neglects his extra-curricular duties on the staff.
v Retired or transferred teachers are always willing to give their service to the College.
v Even the maintenance crew is fully dedicated to their job, not leaving behind any piece of litter and always willing to lend a hand in repairing a broken piece of furniture.
v Our principal makes it his business to know every student personally.
v The Principal is also always willing to take a number of senior students on a weekend retreat at Copperhole (our scout-house down the islands) in order to develop social and spiritual character.
v This same principal drives the school tractor, the school bus cuts the grass on the field, cooks pelau on retreat and sews the auditorium curtains with hardly any assistance or complain.

Bro. Michael Samuel - A Personification of Our Spirit

Bro. Michael Samuel, Principal II, Priest, Teacher, Brother, Father, Counsellor, Mentor, Friend.

I first met Brother Michael Samuel who was affectionately called Bro. Luke back in 1969; September 1969 to be exact. Little did I know that this indefatigable, inspirational, individual with an almost insatiable passion for teaching would have a lasting impression on me - as well as all those students past and present, whose lives he certainly has molded or fashioned in some positive way.
As one of the football 'stars' who had graced the corridors of this great institution called Presentation College San Fernando, and recently returned from National duty with the Trinidad team in 1969 - Bro. Luke introduced himself as my new Geography Teacher of 5 R.M. Immediately he briefed those footballers present in 5R.M. with the rules - non-performance in Geography and academics - no entry on the Championship football Team. I soon learnt that Bro. Michael was assisting Mr. Leslie Hoyte with coaching duties on the championship team. I certainly did not have a choice and neither did my other colleagues in 5 R.M. - ' Love football with all your heart and (academics) - Geography in particular with all your soul.'
Bro. Michael had set the tone and no doubt we all picked it up. From the very beginning Bro. Michael was expounding his philosophy on Education - i.e. developing the 'whole child'- Spiritually, Academically and aesthetically. This all-round development of the boys at Presentation College San Fernando was reinforced when Bro. Michael became Principal in 1975 and has continued to serve the college in this position for 26 years. He is credited with being the longest serving Principal in the Secondary education System in Trinidad and Tobago.
Bro. Michael has touched my life in a special way - as a student in the classroom, as a Sportsman and even as a Teacher. There is no doubt that the person I am, not just as a Teacher, but my entire life has been fashioned by the Presentation Brothers including Bro. Jerome, Bro. Anslem and in no uncertain manner, by Bro. Michael.
As a teacher, Bro. Michael has been many things, both in the College and the wider community of San Fernando - Principal, Teacher, Guide, Mentor, Spiritual Leader, Scout Master, Football Coach / Manager, Counsellor, Exemplar and many more. Bro. Michael has been as well, the personification of the 'Pres. Spirit'. As a student he has lived it. As Principal he has perfected it. He has been able to spread the Spirit of Presentation - both near and far - in the College among the boys, in the community of San Fernando, in the wider society and abroad - USA/ CANADA - and wherever there are Past pupils or
'Old Boys.'
Bro. Michael starts off his day at the College with the Assembly in the Auditorium and the 'Pres. Spirit' is re-incarnated by the Presentation Hymn - which was composed by a past pupil - Larry Hodge. This hymn is a re-awakening of the consciousness of all 'Pres-men'- wherever they are or whatever their calling to keep the Pres. Spirit alive.
The Presentation Spirit really and truly forms the ethos of the school - it is carried in the Staffroom, where teachers are seen as part of the 'Pres. family' - to the classroom - where that spirit of love, togetherness, and bonding takes place and is even extended to the playfield and taken to the boys respective homes. The very thought, that 'we are a family here at presentation,' is often expressed by Brother Michael.
The 'Pres. Spirit' is much more felt than seen - it takes you off your feet, it energises you - it makes you put spirituality first - it makes you a being. It gets the adrenaline flowing - it gives you a lift or rather it places you on a pedestal - It's your duty as real Pres men to sustain and preserve it.
Bro. Michael epitomises that spirit of love and giving and sharing and this message permeates the staff and the students, past pupils, parents, friends of the College and visitors. Even on the staff Bro. Michael gives love and is loved by many.
I have had the pleasure of working on the staff with Bro. Michael as Principal, for eighteen years. Bro. Michael has impressed me as a great and gifted leader. His style is unique. He allows his members of staff to grow- to make mistakes and to learn from their experiences.
He believes that there is an inner beauty in man and it will shine perpetually at some time. He asks his colleagues to give of their best and his famous maxim is ' prepare your work before you enter the classroom, ensure that you can maintain the boys' attention for thirty five minutes, and there is no room for 'problem behaviour.'
Bro. Michael is an exemplary instructional leader - He liaisons with his staff and sometimes seeks expertise from outside his staff - to deal with educational issues at the level of professional development and staff development.
Bro. Michael is nearing the end of a long and illustrious career in education and leadership at Presentation College San Fernando and there is no doubt that his legacy will live on, even long after he has gone.

Written and produced by
Samuel N. Bowen
Dean of Discipline
San Fernando.

Bro.'s Response

The following is an interview done with our beloved Principal Bro. Michael.
The interview was done by three students: Kieran Khan, Kevin Parmassar and Kerry Pariag.

Question: We know you attended Pres as a young boy, what was it like to be a Pres boy back then?
Response: I entered "Pres" in 1954, and I never gave a thought to any other College in South, since it was the only
Catholic Assisted Government School. We always felt very superior to Naparima - the other school in San Fernando. Intercol was always a matter of Naps saying - "We go beat them next year". There was a real presence of Brothers - seven at one time and they were very kind to me. We had prayers in the classroom - there was no Assembly in those days, but we were very proud of our official College uniform- Navy Blue Blazers with white cord trimmings and long white trousers and a College tie - blue and gold.

Question: What were your co-curricular activities?

Response: I played football mainly, at all levels and was the Champion lawn tennis player in my time. I was an outstanding scout and earned the Queen Scout Award and was the first Junior Troop Leader. I was an ardent member of the Photographic Society, and was a Senior College Prefect.

Question: When you had finished your school life at Pres did your religious
transition take place immediately and could you tell us a bit about it?
Response: I spent one year teaching at "Pres" San F'do and another at "Pres" Chaguanas, and then I left for Ireland in January 1962. I was impatient to leave Trinidad but through financial difficulties, stayed back to help out at home.
Question: While achieving your Geography Bachelor's Degree in University what was your life like?

Response: Life at University was not very interesting, since little time was spent on campus after lectures. We had to return to the Monastery rather promptly. Studying was tough in the winter months, since the dormitories were not well heated, especially in the first year. I did become involved in a youth group during my last year at University and I rather enjoyed being with the teenagers at their Club meetings and dances, and eventually other youth groups outside of Cork. It was during this time that I was given a free ticket to travel to Lourdes and part of Northern Spain for two weeks.

Question: When did you start working at Pres as a teacher?
Response: I returned to Trinidad In October 1968 and began teaching 'O' and 'A' Level Geography, apart from some of the lower forms.

Question: Did you take your vows as a Presentation Brother at this time?
Response: My first vows were taken in 1964 and my final vows in 1969.

Question: After you started working at Pres, was it long before you were appointed Principal?
Response: I was appointed Dean of the 6th Form in 1970 and began my Principal ship in September 1975.

Question: What was it like to be appointed Principal of your Alma Mater; what
were your feelings at this point?
Response: It was a rather overwhelming and I was quite nervous, since I was not prepared for the job in any way, since the former Principal had to leave because of the death of his father and he then proceeded on study leave. I felt very proud to be in this position, but thought that I was only acting for a year at a time. However, after the first year, I felt very much up to the challenge and got the total support of both the Brothers and the lay Staff.

Question: What was your vision then in terms of how you waned to develop the school and the lives of the students?
Response: My philosophy for the school was the total development of each individual and a definite move away from the sole emphasis on scholarships. I wanted to create a caring Family Spirit where each individual would feel deeply appreciated and equally important as everyone else.

Question: As we come near to the end of your administration term, would you say that your plan has been fulfilled?
Response: I certainly think that I have achieved the goal of a Family Spirit here at "Pres".

Question: What changes in school operations and student attitude have you seen in your 25 years as a principal?
Response: There has been a lot more consultation with Staff and parents and students than hitherto. The students have become bolder and more precocious in their dealing with authority and more vocal in their manner of expressing themselves.

Question: Do you think that you have followed in the footsteps of the principals before you?
Response: I think that in many ways that I have carried on the "Pres Spirit" of my predecessors, which is a deep respect and dignity for those under my charge, and an encouragement for them to express themselves without fear.

Question: What is your philosophy on dealing with your hectic job?
Response: Get rid of work as quickly as possible. Have an open door policy to Staff, Parents and students and handle the small things quickly - take one day at a time and in implementing policy and action, do not be afraid of making mistakes.

Question: How do you manage the apparent stresses of being a respected principal and still maintain an image and example of a religious icon?
Response: I try to bring my God-given personality into my job and try to have a balance between sternness and charity.

Question: What is your philosophy on dealing with students?
Response: The Staff and myself are there to facilitate the growth and development of the students, even to the possibility in facilitating them to learn from their mistakes. Understanding and forgiveness play a major role in this development.

Question: Can you give us an example of one recent situation in the school where you were simply filled with pride and joy?
Response: The winning of the Soca Mornach Finals by Keegan Taylor and the winning of the President's Award by Reeza Mohammed.

Question: Trinidad and Tobago respects you, how do you deal with that and the rare criticism?
Response: I have never been bothered by being the Principal of one of the most prestigious Colleges in the country, for I always felt that I inherited rather than earned it. I realize that criticism is an integral part of any job, and that I am far from being perfect.

Question: You were recently ill, how did you deal with that and how has it affected your life?
Response: I saw my illness as another gift from God enabling me to continue my service to Himself and mankind. It really hasn't impacted on my life in any significant way.

Question: Who do you consider as your extended family, and exactly how important are they to you?
Response: my extended family are the many friends that continue to support me in the absence of the Brothers, whose homes I feel welcome to visit at any time and who constantly invite me to share in their family activities.
Question: The Pres Spirit phenomenon, where did it start, who introduced it?
Response: I became aware of the "Pres Spirit" in my own time as a student, and I think that the dynamism of Bro. Jerome Kelly had a lot to do with heightening it in my time as a student.

Question: In your view what exactly is the Pres Spirit?
Response: The "Pres Spirit" is a consciousness of a deep resect for God, Our Blessed Mother and our fellow man in the persons of other students and past students. It is a Spirit that motivates us to excel in whatever area we apply ourselves. It is a Spirit of leadership and confidence in public life. It is a Spirit that mandates us to believe that we are number one (#1) in the world!
Question: How important is it (the Pres Spirit) to you?
Response: The "Pres Spirit" is everything to me. I live it everyday in having laid down my life for the College.

Question: What are your plans for the future after you have retired?
Response: When I retire, I hope to still have some kind of presence in "Pres", San F'do and Chaguanas, but I would also like to make some contribution to the Junior and Senior Secondary school, especially the most needy ones, and anything else that I am called to do in Trinidad.

Question: We, the students respect you a whole lot and would miss you when you leave, would your life at Pres ever be over; would we still be seeing you on the school compound?
Response: Of course you would. I would still try to maintain some role as part of the College.
Question: We also consider you as a Father figure and a philosophical base, what are some wise words you say you lived your life by and we can follow?
Response: I have always felt that the motivating force behind all my activities and success is the deep faith I have and practised as a Roman Catholic and the constant presence of God in my life and activities, at the same time being always humbled by my weaknesses as a human being.