Presentation Young Women

Sports Day 1998; L-R:Back Row:Georgia Alexander, Hana Loyd, Ingrid Joefield, Front Row: Julie Ann Davis, Anastasia Geofroy

In 1989 after many years of 'manful' resistance Presentation College admitted three young ladies into the 6-i Maths class to flirther their studies in Maths, Further Maths and Physics, thus beginning a new era in Pres history. This step was taken by Brother Michael in response to requests by parents and the Principal of Naparima Girls High School to accommodate a few girls who wished to pursue Further Maths as it was not offered at their school at the time. It has always been the policy of admitting suitably qualified students from other schools into A levels once our own students were not denied a place and provided that the class could accommodate a few extra students.

Initially girls were taken into the Maths class only. At present they are taken into the Maths and Modern Studies classes only if the combinations that they wish to do are not offered at their own schools.

The First; L-R: Leslie Barnes, Rachel Ramcharan, Neela Maharaj

Since the first three Pres Women, Rachel Ramcharan, Neeala Maharaj (St. Joseph's Convent) and Leslie Barnes (Naparima Girls) graduated in 1991 over 30 young ladies have graced the halls of Presentation College San Fernando. Presentation women have proven to all that they possess the true Spirit of Pres. While in school they have enthusiastically participated in classroom discussions (much to the detriment of male ear drums) as well as in numerous extracurricular activities, such as the Retreats, Mathematics Olympiad, Intercol, the Mixed Choir, Magazine Committees, various clubs and on Sports Day. At the same time however they have continued to excel academically, at times overshadowing their male counterparts with several gaining National Scholarships or Scholarships to Foreign Universities. The female perspective and experience has certainly been enriching for the men of Presentation. Thus far only two young ladies have been made College Prefects, these lucky lasses were Leslie Barnes in 1992 and Kathryn Krogh in 1995.

Pres Girls 1992; L-R: Kimoy Yee Yick, Camile Mohammed, Marsha Nathai, Sharon Teebenny, Zaida Khan, Darlene Bellamy, Nyere-Dawn Bowers

Pres Girls 1994/95; L-R:Back Row Alicia Nathai, Kathryn Krogh, Karen Fournellier, Lisa Wharwood, Emalene Dhalai Middle Row: Natalie Tam, Meirica Maranco, Nadia Khan, Colleen Gangoo, Raquel Baboolal, Donna Marie Alexander. Front Row: Cherry Lee, Celia Bereton, Nicole Callender, Priscilla Mohammed, Arianna Bhagwansingh, Kerry Mohammed

Some members of staff see the taking in of girls as a good thing, at least at sixth form level. At this level they feel that the boys are mature enough to work competitively with the opposite sex, an experience that would prove invaluable to them later on in life. Teachers also hope that Fifth Formers realize that there is no time for "slacking off" at O Levels if they wish to secure a place in sixth form.

The sight of girls on the sixth form block and anywhere in the College for that matter is now so common place as to seem mundane. We wish all our past, present and future Presentation sisters the best of luck in all their endeavours, and we hope that your time here has been wonderful.