There was a time when some of our best teachers came out of the Government Teachers Training College at St Vincent Street, and many of us can attest to having been taught and disciplined by the men and women who graduated after the two-year course at the GTC. It was also a time when the Anglican and Government student teachers at the GTC resided either at the Anglican Women's Teachers Hostel at 19 Woodford Street, Newtown, or at the Anglican Men's Teachers Hostel on Park Street.
It was also a time when bonds were made, strengthened and kept through the years which followed. Says Zuleika Dhanny, of the Class of 1953 "friendships exist up to now, some of us women have travelled abroad, we hear from them off and on, even the men students and when either the men or women come to visit, they call and we arrange to meet them and celebrate our reunion. Amidst our tearful goodbyes at the end of two years there were lots of hugs, kisses and promises 'dont forget' and we didn't forget."
The Class of 1953 which would have been in residence from 1951, plan to celebrate their golden anniversary as students in the hostel (1951-2001) sometime around September 26 with a luncheon at Angela Maundy's Trincity home. Since it is impossible to get in touch with everyone, the organisers are asking all those whom they cannot find to please call Sheila Marcelle (637-5904), Eileen Joseph (657- 8565) or Dhanny at 637-7629.
Zuleika reminisced on the affection which they had for their beloved matron, Amy Henry. "We called her Ma'am, she loved it. She was a mother to all of us and made us feel so at home because there were students from other islands like Antigua, St Kitts and Grenada. She advised us, laughed with us, made merry when she had to and really and truly shed tears when necessary."
Residence in a hostel, which unfortunately did not survive modern times, could have been related to the university campus on which students lived. There would have been about sixty students between the first year and second year students, all living free of charge in this government subsidised Hostel. And although Dhanny remembers that "It was sort of very strange leaving your home for this communal- type residence, once you got used to it and realised everybody felt the same, it was enjoyable and joyful except for school work time. We lived in a long dormitory with bunk beds and everybody helped each other with all of us trying to get out in the mornings. We also did our own laundry on week-ends."
The walk from Woodford Street to St Vincent Street was safe and short although some had bicycles. Students could go home on week- ends with permission from Ma'am returning on Sunday afternoon. Not only were students served three nutritious meals daily but there was also a tea break. Actually says Dhanny "that was one of the times Ma'am cried when we did not like meals, it was funny as she was a wonderful actress."
A staunch Anglican, Amy Henry conducted ecumenical church services every morning, if she were not available someone else was designated, but the services took place,
Life at No 19 Woodford, says Dhanny "was just like in your parents home, if a boyfriend came, Ma'am had to look him over. I don't think she approved of George to whom I am married for 44 years, he was also a student teacher."
Zuleika and her friends view the closure of the Anglican Women's Teachers Hostel as "the end of those beautiful days" and are certain that the students who came after "never got that camaraderie."