Established in 1925, Bishop’s High School has played an indelible role in educating generations of Tobagonians. To celebrate its continuous contribution to education on the island, the school gathers every year on its anniversary at St. Andrew’s Anglican Church to observe Founder’s Day. After a series of hymns and scriptures, Father Bernard shared the theme for this year’s Founder’s Day: “Christ continues to be our cornerstone.” Referencing recent natural disasters, he highlighted that people continue to endure a lot. He emphasized that the students have not only lived through these events but have also faced the challenges of the pandemic.
Father Bernard also emphasized the importance of handling emergencies without panic and trusting in God. He stressed that panicking only makes things worse and preached that this message has been echoed throughout the 98 years of the school’s existence.
He provided a brief history of the high school, placing emphasis on its founder, Right Reverend Henry Arthur Anstey. Reverend Anstey, consecrated as a bishop from 1919 to 1945, believed in the importance of establishing a secondary school in Tobago, seeing education as a means of benefiting the youth of society at the time. He achieved this goal in 1925 with the assistance of his ally, Father Harold Davis. Father Bernard explained to the students that God had granted them this opportunity.
At the end of the service, a wreath was placed on the tomb of Harold Davis, one of the founders of Bishop’s High School. This act is a long-standing tradition that signifies their appreciation.
