Combermere School (Barbados)
Encyclopedia
Combermere also referred to as "The University of Waterford" is one of the leading schools on the island being the third heighest,Harrison's College, Queens College followed by Combermere. Combermere School is certainly one of the oldest, if not the oldest, secondary school in Barbados. The foundation stone at the present site cast the origins of Combermere School to 1819. Research takes its origins back to Drax's will of 1682.
Combermere School which began as a co-educational institution in 1695, reverted fully to this status in September 1976 with the admission of thirty-eight (38) female students at the first form level and another thirty-one (31) between the fifth and sixth form. The number of females today has grown to about 51% of the school's present population of just over one thousand (1,000 students).
This school has established itself as a leading secondary school in Barbados, the wider Caribbean and beyond. Past students of Combermere know only too well what it is to be a Combermerian and it is for this reason that the Alumni Associations in Barbados, Canada, New York and the United Kingdom continue to flourish.
From September 1998 the school became one of the four secondary pilot schools involved in the Ministry of Education's Sector Enhancement Programme. Under this programme, the school's Physical plant was extensively renovated and refurbished. With the addition of new computers and technologies, as well as an enhanced curriculum, it is believed that Combermere School will be even more equipped to prepare its students for the challenges of the 21st Century.
Combermere has 54 teachers including one guidance counsellor. Most hold bachelors degrees in the subject area they are teaching, with at least three holding doctorates.
Lives are in the making here
Hearts are in the waking here
Mighty undertaking here
Up and on, up and on.
We are arming for the fight
Pressing on with all our might
Pluming wings for higher flight
Up and on, up and on.
Chorus
Up then! Truest fame lies in high endeavour
Play the game, keep the flame burning brightly ever
Up then! Truest fame lies in high endeavour
Play the game, keep the flame burning brightly ever
Second Verse
Foes in plenty we shall meet
Hearts courageous scorn defeat
So we press with eager feet
Up and on, up and on.
Ever upward to the fight
Ever upward to the light
Ever true to God and Right
Up and on, up and on.
Chorus
Up then! Truest fame lies in high endeavour
Play the game, keep the flame burning brightly ever
Up then! Truest fame lies in high endeavour
Play the game, keep the flame burning brightly ever
award winning film director
and cultural historian Owen 'Alik Shahadah
as well as the international pop star Robyn 'Rihanna
' Fenty all attended the institution.
Combermere School which began as a co-educational institution in 1695, reverted fully to this status in September 1976 with the admission of thirty-eight (38) female students at the first form level and another thirty-one (31) between the fifth and sixth form. The number of females today has grown to about 51% of the school's present population of just over one thousand (1,000 students).
This school has established itself as a leading secondary school in Barbados, the wider Caribbean and beyond. Past students of Combermere know only too well what it is to be a Combermerian and it is for this reason that the Alumni Associations in Barbados, Canada, New York and the United Kingdom continue to flourish.
From September 1998 the school became one of the four secondary pilot schools involved in the Ministry of Education's Sector Enhancement Programme. Under this programme, the school's Physical plant was extensively renovated and refurbished. With the addition of new computers and technologies, as well as an enhanced curriculum, it is believed that Combermere School will be even more equipped to prepare its students for the challenges of the 21st Century.
Reputation
The school also offers a music program and the band has won awards at the National Independence Festival for the Creative Arts (NIFCA).Combermere has 54 teachers including one guidance counsellor. Most hold bachelors degrees in the subject area they are teaching, with at least three holding doctorates.
School Song
First VerseLives are in the making here
Hearts are in the waking here
Mighty undertaking here
Up and on, up and on.
We are arming for the fight
Pressing on with all our might
Pluming wings for higher flight
Up and on, up and on.
Chorus
Up then! Truest fame lies in high endeavour
Play the game, keep the flame burning brightly ever
Up then! Truest fame lies in high endeavour
Play the game, keep the flame burning brightly ever
Second Verse
Foes in plenty we shall meet
Hearts courageous scorn defeat
So we press with eager feet
Up and on, up and on.
Ever upward to the fight
Ever upward to the light
Ever true to God and Right
Up and on, up and on.
Chorus
Up then! Truest fame lies in high endeavour
Play the game, keep the flame burning brightly ever
Up then! Truest fame lies in high endeavour
Play the game, keep the flame burning brightly ever
Notable alumni
The Prime Minister the Rt. Honorable David Thompson, cricketing great Wes Hall, author Sir Frank Collymore, UNESCOUNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations...
award winning film director
Film director
A film director is a person who directs the actors and film crew in filmmaking. They control a film's artistic and dramatic nathan roach, while guiding the technical crew and actors.-Responsibilities:...
and cultural historian Owen 'Alik Shahadah
Owen 'Alik Shahadah
Owen 'Alik Shahadah is a director, African writer, and scholar. He is best known for authoring works, which deal with African history, social justice, environmental issues, education and world peace...
as well as the international pop star Robyn 'Rihanna
Rihanna
Robyn Rihanna Fenty , better known as simply Rihanna, is a Barbadian recording artist. Born in Saint Michael, Barbados, Rihanna moved to the United States at the age of 16 to pursue a recording career under the guidance of record producer Evan Rogers...
' Fenty all attended the institution.
- The Hon. David J.H ThompsonDavid Thompson (Barbadian politician)David John Howard Thompson, QC, MP was the sixth Prime Minister of Barbados from January 2008 until his death from pancreatic cancer on 23 October 2010....
- 6th Prime Minister of BarbadosPrime Minister of BarbadosThe Prime Minister of Barbados is a very influential position as head of government of Barbados. According to Barbados Constitution, the Prime Minister must always be a member of Parliament, and is appointed by the Governor-General who is responsible for conducting parliamentary elections, and for... - Wes HallWes HallWesley Winfield Hall is a Barbadian former cricketer and politician. A tall, strong and powerfully built man, Hall was a genuine fast bowler and despite his very long run up, he was renowned for his ability to bowl long spells. Hall played 48 Test matches for the West Indies from 1958 to 1969...
, Test cricketer, Chairman of the West Indies Board of Control and Minister for Sports and Tourism - Sir Frank WorrellFrank WorrellSir Frank Mortimer Maglinne Worrell is sometimes referred to by his nickname of Tae and was a West Indies cricketer and Jamaican senator...
- former West Indies batsman and captain - Robyn "RihannaRihannaRobyn Rihanna Fenty , better known as simply Rihanna, is a Barbadian recording artist. Born in Saint Michael, Barbados, Rihanna moved to the United States at the age of 16 to pursue a recording career under the guidance of record producer Evan Rogers...
" Fenty - International Superstar Musician - Owen Alik Shahadah, African historian, filmmaker - 500 Years Later500 Years Later500 Years Later is the title of an independent documentary film directed by Owen 'Alik Shahadah, written by M. K. Asante, Jr. released in 2005. It won five international film festival awards in the category of Best Documentary...
- Kevin Hinds- co-founder of Madd Entertainment
- Eric Lewis- co-founder of Madd Entertainment
- Peter Boyce- co-founder of Madd Entertainment
- Kerryann Ifill- first blind graduate of the University of the West IndiesUniversity of the West IndiesThe University of the West Indies , is an autonomous regional institution supported by and serving 17 English-speaking countries and territories in the Caribbean: Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Dominica,...
- Colinwood Johnson- Barbados hockey player
- Azman - developers of the genre called "FLING"
- Paula Hinds - gospel singer
- Mark Baptiste - BBC Multimedia Production Coordinator
- Arturo TappinArturo Tappin-External links:***...
- saxophonist - Hal Austin, London based journalist at the Financial Times Group
- Kraigg BrathwaiteKraigg BrathwaiteKraigg Clairmonte Brathwaite known as Kraigg Brathwaite is an international cricketer from Barbados who is part of the West Indian cricket team. He is a right handed batsman...
, cricketer - Omar Azan - businessman, trumpeter