The Portsmouth Secondary School class of 1984 recently held its 40-year reunion here in Dominica. Classmates travelled from Canada, various parts of North America, Anguilla and Barbados to join those residing in Dominica to have what has been described as a great time.

Various activities were held over an 11-day period, starting with a Meet and Greet on Thursday 19^th. At that event, classmates reminisced about the last 40 years, sharing freely about their families, educational achievements and employment.

On Saturday 21^st, the group embarked on a tour of the lovely sites of Dominica, with a stop at Red Rock, a tour of the Chocolate Factory in Calibishie, and a visit to Spanny Falls. However, the rest of the tour had to be aborted because of very heavy rain.

The entire group also participated in the Service at the Portsmouth Catholic Church on Sunday 22^nd.

However, the highlight of the week was a presentation of supplies to the Home Economics Department of the Portsmouth Secondary School on Thursday 26^th. The Principal, Mr. Darnley James, in accepting the cooking utensils, expressed profound gratitude to the group. He said, “Your thoughtful contributions have made a significant impact on our school, and benefits will resonate throughout the hallways and classrooms for years to come. The resources you provided will enhance the educational experience of our current and future students, allowing them to gain hands-on experience in culinary arts and nutrition, a skill set that is increasingly vital in our fast-paced world.”

He was truly moved by the gesture and added, “Your contribution symbolises the strong bond that exists between our school, past and present. It is a testament of the spirit of giving, and the responsibilities we hold towards one another. We are reminded that education is not just about textbooks and classrooms; it is about nurturing relationships, fostering connections, and instilling a sense of community.”

Also present at the presentation was the Head of Department Mrs. Geraldine Magloire. She too was extremely grateful, as the items donated would go a long way towards helping students complete their School Based Assessments. The presentation was followed by an evening of games, which was filled with laughter and enjoyment.

The Reunion ended with a formal dinner on Saturday 28^th, at the Riverside Hotel in Picard. The past principal, Mr. Arthur James, current principal and retired teachers –  Mr. and Mrs. Cynthia and Philip Joseph, Mr. Philbert Joseph, Mr. and Mrs. Josephine and Gerald Corbett, Mr. Verieux Mourillon and Mr. Ronald Massicott –  joined in the celebrations. Saying goodbyes at the end was a bit sad, but all agreed that the memories created over the previous ten days were enough to last a lifetime.