The ash grove how graceful, how plainly ’tis speaking
The wind through it playing has language for me.
Whenever the light through its branches is breaking,
A host of kind faces is gazing at me.
The friends from my childhood again are before me
Each step brings a memory as freely I roam.
With soft whispers laden the leaves rustle o’er me
The ash grove, the ash grove alone is my home.
– The lyrics from the first verse of the song The Ash Grove
THE PRINCIPAL, staff and the students of the St Elizabeth Primary School in Joes River, St Joseph had a special visit on Wednesday last week from the Governor General, His Excellency Sir Elliott Belgrave, as part of the school’s 50th anniversary celebrations.
The school was officially opened by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on February 15, 1966. She was accompanied by her husband Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
The principal, Ingrid Prescod, in welcoming Sir Elliott and his guests, gave a comprehensive history of the school, highlighting that St Elizabeth is the only school where the students wear a uniform of our national colours.
The Governor General had some high praise for the students and he congratulated the school choir, who sang one of his favourite songs The Ash Grove without a script. He also took the opportunity to explain the meaning of The Ash Grove. He was hoping that they would have sung another favourite of his – Emmerton by the Mighty Gabby.
The Governor General also gave the students some very good advice.
“I want to tell you the students to respect yourselves, your teachers, obey them and love your school. You should obey reasonable orders.
“Do not say that my mother didn’t send me to school to pick up this or that.”
He also advised the young students to avoid drugs, obscene language, weapons and bad company.
“Young ladies, do not try to become adults before you are adults. I want you all to make the best of your schooldays because you cannot expect to make any serious advancement in life without a good education. Set goals and achieve them by laudable means.”
His visit was a very memorable one, especially when Class 4 did a re-enactment of the Queen’s visit to the school in 1966.
Your Excellency, on behalf of the school I would like to thank you for your words of wisdom and would hope that the parents, guardians and the students will take them to heart.
