Prize Distribution at the Collegiate School.
The annual distribution of prizes and speech day in connection with the Kingston Collegiate School
took place yesterday morning at the Collegiate Hall, a large attendance of parents and friends of the
boys being present Dr. Phillippo presided and amongst those present were the Revds. W. Gillies,
Donald Davidson, Messrs. Geo. Levy, Geo. Solomon, Charles Campbell, C. W. Tait, T. W. Rodgers and
William Morrison (principal of the School).
Mr. Morrison expressed his pleasure at having as the Chairman a gentleman who occupied so high a
position in the community and who took so warm an interest in all that tended to promote the
intellectual and moral welfare of the people of the city. He was sorry to say that Mr. Radcliffe, the founder
of the school was through ill health prevented from being present. He could not express all that he owed
to his association with Mr. Radcliffe, but for whom he would act have been addressing the meeting that
day. In days to come it would still be said “This is the house that John Radcliffe built,” “the school that
John Radcliffe founded;” this is the house that for nearly half a century has given intellectual and
educational training to a considerable proportion of the youth of Jamaica. He also referred to Dr. Milne
whose name was very closely connected with the higher education of Jamaica (hear hear). With regard
to the work of the past year he was glad to say that the boys had done fairly well They had done fairly well in the open competitive examinations which were the best and most trustworthy tests of the real
work that could be done in the school. Four boys entered the Civil Service and they had passed at the
Cambridge Locals a higher number than they had ever had before viz: ten. One of those was Rosada,
who a few years came here without knowing anything of the language and who now was the best boy,
and occupied a position similar to that which young Ashenheim did two years ago. 10 boys were now
studying at the Universities in England, and the reports were excellent. The endeavour was to make the boys manly, truthful and generous, and he congratulated himself on the results which they had
attained.
The examination in mental arithmetic then took place, the boys showing remarkable aptitude and
quickness in solving difficult problems almost before the question had left the examiner's lips.
The competition for the elocution medal brought out four contestant, introduce by Master Briscoe
Rondon, the winner of last year. The boys showed great ability in the various selections received by
them. The medal was eventually rewarded to Charles Sherlock, Francis Rosado being second, winning the special prize presented by the Rev. W. Gillies. In the map drawing H. Arrowsmith won first prize, and
A. Sherwood, second, the writing prize being taken by G. Raines.
Dr. Phillippo then distributed the prizes, a list of which appeared in our issue of June 24th.
Dr. Phillippo referred in eulogistic terms to the success of the Old Collegiate which had held out longest
of any of the schools which had been established in the city, none of which had obtained so honorable a
reputation. To Mr. Radcliffe, who had founded the school, he would say he was the greatest scholar, poet and preacher they had had for many a day. It was unfortunate that Mr. Radcliffe had begun to publish his
poems when most men were finishing, but the credit was so much the greater. Mr. William Morrison was
the present standard bearer. He could not speak of him as a preacher, but as a scholar, a teacher and a poet of no mean order. The boys should be pleased at having a succession of honorable and learned
men such as had presided over them. He believed in the Progress of Education and thought it was much
easier to learn now than 50 years ago. He congratulated the boys upon the efforts they had made during
the past 12 months and hoped they would continue to gain knowledge and power. He believed not in the
cry of ''Jamaica for the Jamaicans" but ''all the world for Jamaicans."
Look at the Beckfords who were merchants in Jamaica, the Ellis', now Lord Howard de Walden family,
Peter Pindar, Sir William and several other Scarletts, Milne, Edwards of St. Ann's Bay, one of the
leading men in the opening up of the wide field of animalcide[?] in the open sea, Turner of Spanish Town,
the chemist, Murchis of Vere, Tyndall, Morris, editor of the Times, Sir John Symonds who practised in
Montego Bay, Cowen, the musician, Martin one of the greatest men of the present day in histology and
many others
The Rev. W. Gillies then addressed the meeting and said that to no man was so much respect due as to
the Rev. John Radcliffe who had taken so great an interest in the secondary education of the island. The
Collegiate school had an effect upon the whole Collegiate life of the island and he thought old Collegiate
boys should perpetuate the memory of the founder.
Mr. Charles Campbell said it was the first time that he attended such an exhibition and he was surprised at
the ability which had keen shown by the boys, which testified to a training which would fit them for the
great school of life. He urged upon those going out of school to keep up their studies in after life, and keep up the reputation of the old school in years to come.
Master W Morrison then delivered the closing speech after which hearty cheers were given by the boys for the chairman, the ladies, and the school.