Althea Scatliffe Primary School

Our school family is deeply saddened to learn about the passing of Mrs. Helen Pierre, one of our devoted and long working custodians.

Though custodian was her job description, she was a beloved family member who took her Strider pride seriously. She was always pleasant, though often quiet, and was always found working hard to ensure that we all had pleasant and tidy surroundings each day.

She last worked at the Francis Lettsome Primary School, still among the Strider family, where she celebrated her birthday last Monday.

Yesterday, she passed in the comfort of her husband’s arms and knowing that she was loved by all of us as well.

To her family, we thank you for the time you allowed her to serve the students with us. We’re mindful of you and will keep you in our prayers.

Past Principals Headley and King have already visited Mrs. Pierre’s family and took a floral expression of sympathy on behalf of the entire Strider family.

May she rest in peace.

We look forward to celebrating her life well and her upcoming funeral service.

The Strider family is saddened to learn of the passing of Teacher Evadney Barry. She was one of our most loved and celebrated teachers; a true Strider, always exuding school spirit, and support of students and programmes.

We will miss her. We’re thankful to God for the time He gave us with her. Never better could a Strider be!

To her family, we extend our condolences.

May she rest in peace.

Our hearts are sad to learn of the passing of Dr. Quincy Lettsome, Ph.D, the writer of the Althea Scatliffe Primary School-School Song and husband to our former principal, the late Kirlin Lettsome.

The Strider family extends our heart felt condolences to his children and grandchildren and other family members.

As Striders we say a prayer of support for the family.

🎼 Where hills in grandeur mutely stand,
Forming semicircular span.
Where gurgling streams from mountains flow,
Watering our playground here below. 🎶

May he rest in eternal peace.

GOVERNMENT OF THE VIRGIN ISLANDS AND UNITE BVI SIGNS MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING (MOU)

The Mighty Mighty Scatliffe To be Rebuilt in Year One of Agreement

At a ceremony held at Maria’s by the Sea, Minister for Education, Youth Affairs and Sports, Honourable Sharie B. DeCastro shared in the signing ceremony of an MOU which willl facilitate funding to rebuild the Althea Scatliffe Primary School starting this year.

The MOU which will last for five years will bring a number of significant development initiatives for education across the territory. Among the list of initiatives, the full cost of rebuilding the Mighty Scatliffe will be paid for by UNITE BVI.

Other initiatives include funding for teachers to receive degrees at the University of the Virgin Islands, S.T.E.A.M. resources to be provided to all schools on the territory, funding for structural assessments to be conducted at all schools in the territory which also led to the decision to remodel the Willard Wheatley Primary School and the purchasing of playground equipment for five primary schools across the territory. Today’s ceremony also significantly marked the establishment of a clear donation policy to provide a transparent and productive process to receive donations from additional donors, the first of its kind.

The ceremony was witnessed by a room full of educators, community members, Unite BVI staffers, Sir Richard Branson and the Premier of the Virgin Islands who signed the MOU on behalf of the Government. The Premier is alumnus of Althea Scatliffe Primary School.

The room was also filled with notable Scatliffe alumni like Immediate Past Principal Marieta Headley, last active Principal Kesia King, last active Assistant Principal Kayron Todman (now Principal of the Enis Adams Primary School), Cabinet Secretary, Sandra Ward, Deputy Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Youth Affairs and Sports, Claude Kettle, and past Strider teachers like Janice George-Harris (now Education Officer), Vanessa Matthias-Garraway (now ESHS Principal), Orlandette Crabbe (now Acting CEO in the Ministry of Education) and Brenda Lettsome-Tye (now Director of Youth Affairs and Sports).

The ceremony was chaired by ASPS alumnus Kareem-Nelson Hull and entertainment was provided by ASPS alumnus and Grammy Award Nominee Kamau Georges and last active ASPS Guidance Counsellor Jacob Edwards.

The Althea Scatliffe Primary School family is devastated to learn of the passing of legendary former teacher Mrs. Ruby Smith-Newberry.

Beyond touching countless lives inside the classroom, Ms. Newberry, as she was affectionately called, took the hinges off the door to her classroom and ensured her students learned beyond its wall and most often on the stage.

A master of drama, comedy and the performing arts, Ms. Newberry was instrumental is creating some of Althea Scatliffe’s most memorable stage productions notably the first and only Master and Miss of Performing Arts in 1993. The show was a competition with couples, like the Prince and Princess Show, with her insistence that all entertainment between segments, came from within the school and it did. Kareem-Nelson Hull and Keithleen Mathavious nee Gardener won her first big show, but the other stars of the night were hundreds of students who sang, danced and acted in mini dramas and comedic skits throughout the evening.

Ruby Smith-Newberry put many students on stage for the first time, igniting their love for performance. Students like mocko jumbie “Tico” Harrigan, singer Kendra Penn, singer Ashala and countless others continue to find a comfortable home before large audiences still today.

Her enthusiasm for sports was also significant, and she was known, a time or two, to run alongside her beloved students pushing them to victories on sports day.

We extend our Strider condolences to her children and family, who are all very much a part of our school family too. We also thank you for lending her to us for countless years when her passion required her to be away from home for long periods of time.

Today, the curtains have closed on stage of her life, but the applause of our school audience will not soon fade into memory. She was the brightest among LIGHTS, she taught us how to be ready for the CAMERA and instilled in us positive ACTION!

We will miss her MIGHTILY. May her soul rest in peace.

In the youngest days of our great school, teachers like Alpha Cameron-Robinson formed the foundation. A teacher for many years, she has nurtured the youngest minds and did so with her notable calm, but stern way.

The Strider family is saddened to learn of her passing.
We pray for family at this time and we also thank them for loaning her to us for so many years.

For the hearts she has touched, the lives she has changed and for the minds she has shaped, we are eternally grateful.

For past colleagues and past students wishing to send tributes and/or photos, please note the details below.

May she rest in eternal peace in the classroom beyond the sky.

CALLING ALL STRIDERS 📣📢‼️

“Our last chant until next time”

Calling all alumni, teachers, students. Spread the word.

Location: ASPS School Grounds

Date: Saturday 1st April , 2023

Time: 5pm

Dress Code: ASPS shirt , pink or maroon