Patricia Symmonds
Encyclopedia
Dame Olga Patricia Symmonds, GCM
, DBE
(born 18 October 1925), best known as Patricia Symmonds, is a Barbadian
politician, member of the Senate of Barbados
and a former teacher.
The only daughter of Algernon French Symmonds and his wife, Olga Harper, she is the elder sister of Barbadian
diplomat, Algernon Washington Symmonds. She was educated at Queen's College, Barbados
, and travelled to the United Kingdom
to study at the University of Reading
and the Institute of Education
.
As a teacher from 1945-85, she was Deputy Principal of the St. Michael School, Saint Michael, Barbados
from 1963-76, then Principal of the school from 1976-85. She was a part-time lecturer and tutor at Cave Hill Campus
from 1963-65. Since 1994, she has been a Senator of Barbados and was a member of the Privy Council
of Barbados from 1997 to 2000. She was knighted in 2000.
Order of Barbados
The Order of Barbados is part of the National honours system awarded by the government of Barbados, and presented by the Viceroy, which is the Governor-General of Barbados. It comprises four classes, two of which are awarded in two grades. It was instituted under Royal letters patent of Queen...
, DBE
Order of the British Empire
The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
(born 18 October 1925), best known as Patricia Symmonds, is a Barbadian
Barbados
Barbados is an island country in the Lesser Antilles. It is in length and as much as in width, amounting to . It is situated in the western area of the North Atlantic and 100 kilometres east of the Windward Islands and the Caribbean Sea; therein, it is about east of the islands of Saint...
politician, member of the Senate of Barbados
Senate of Barbados
The Senate is the name given to the Upper House of the bicameral legislature the Parliament of Barbados. The Senate is accorded legitimacy by Chapter V of the Constitution of Barbados. It is the smaller of both chambers and also includes HM Queen Elizabeth II, Queen of Barbados...
and a former teacher.
The only daughter of Algernon French Symmonds and his wife, Olga Harper, she is the elder sister of Barbadian
Barbados
Barbados is an island country in the Lesser Antilles. It is in length and as much as in width, amounting to . It is situated in the western area of the North Atlantic and 100 kilometres east of the Windward Islands and the Caribbean Sea; therein, it is about east of the islands of Saint...
diplomat, Algernon Washington Symmonds. She was educated at Queen's College, Barbados
Queen's College (Barbados)
Queen's College was established as a result of the recommendation of an Education Commission whose report suggested that Barbados required a first grade school for girls...
, and travelled to the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
to study at the University of Reading
University of Reading
The University of Reading is a university in the English town of Reading, Berkshire. The University was established in 1892 as University College, Reading and received its Royal Charter in 1926. It is based on several campuses in, and around, the town of Reading.The University has a long tradition...
and the Institute of Education
Institute of Education
The Institute of Education is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom specialised in postgraduate study and research in the field of education and a constituent college of the federal University of London. It is the largest education research body in the United Kingdom, with...
.
As a teacher from 1945-85, she was Deputy Principal of the St. Michael School, Saint Michael, Barbados
The St. Michael School
The St. Michael School is a secondary school in Barbados. It stands on Martindales Road in the parish of Saint Michael, Barbados. The school has over 800 pupils....
from 1963-76, then Principal of the school from 1976-85. She was a part-time lecturer and tutor at Cave Hill Campus
Cave Hill, Saint Michael, Barbados
Cave Hill, St. Michael is a suburban area situated in the parish of St. Michael. It is located about 4 km north-west of the capital-city Bridgetown along the west coast of Barbados....
from 1963-65. Since 1994, she has been a Senator of Barbados and was a member of the Privy Council
Privy council
A privy council is a body that advises the head of state of a nation, typically, but not always, in the context of a monarchic government. The word "privy" means "private" or "secret"; thus, a privy council was originally a committee of the monarch's closest advisors to give confidential advice on...
of Barbados from 1997 to 2000. She was knighted in 2000.