UNDER the theme, ‘Celebrating 180 Years of Rich History, Sustaining Excellence’, Queen’s College (QC) launched its 180th Anniversary on Friday, with current and old students of the prestigious institution in attendance.
QC’s week-long anniversary celebration will run from October 20th, 2024, until October 26th, 2024, and was planned by the Queen’s College Old Students’ Association (QCOSA).
Speaking briefly at the media launch for the festivities was the President of QCOSA, Pauline Chase, who shared the rich and diverse history of the school.
Queen’s College was established on August 4th, 1844, by Lord Bishop William Piercy Austin. It has since established itself as a symbol of academic excellence and tradition, not only in the local community but also in the Caribbean and beyond.
The school started with 11 boys in the compound of the current location of the High Court in Georgetown, and was called the ‘Colony House’. It commenced as a Grammar School for boys.
In the year 1854, QC relocated to the site which is now occupied by The Bishops’ High School, and later in 1918, it moved once again to a larger facility in order to accommodate a greater number of students at a location that is presently the Ministry of Health Brickdam, Georgetown.
The College was eventually relocated to its current site at Thomas Lands, Georgetown, in 1954. According to Chase, this institution has withstood the test of time for 180 years, maintaining various distinctive traditions and customs that are still unparalleled in other schools in Guyana.
She said, “We are an integral part of Guyana’s history, having witnessed independence, served in both World Wars 1 and 2, housed the police barracks, served as the prime entertainment centre before the National Cultural Centre was built, and boasted of unrivalled alumni accomplishments and contributions toward nation building.
“The college has produced the most Executive Presidents of any secondary learning institution. In just about half a century, four of the nine Executive Presidents of this country have all passed through the halls of Queen’s College.”
Chase explained that QC stands as a symbol of the Guyanese identity, displaying Guyanese people’s resilience, diversity, bravery, creativity, adaptability, great intelligence, and impeccable leadership.
“Having stood the test of time, we are proud to boast and celebrate our rich history and continued success in academia, philanthropy, arts and sports. The anniversary celebrations provide an opportunity for us, alumni and friends of the college, to come together to do just that,” she remarked.
In addition to the captivating schedule of events, QC-OSA has plans to create a commemorative 180th Edition Magazine. A call for articles will be announced in the near future. The programme has been meticulously developed to showcase regions with a higher reputation for quality control. These activities primarily center around academia, sport, and the arts, with a strong emphasis on fostering unity among both alumni and current students.
The festivities for this momentous occasion will begin with a wreath-laying ceremony and welcome brunch, followed by a special assembly, the unveiling of the history of QC Kiosk, and an evening of artistic performances. Additionally, there will be a tour day, a day dedicated to sports, a seminar on ‘research in action,’ and a grand gala dinner, with supplementary activities to be included.
QC anticipates the years to come, as they aim to forge lasting memories with both former, current, and prospective students of the institution.
In order to access additional information and participate in the celebrations, individuals may visit the following resources: QC’s official website at https://www.qc-saguyana.com/anniversary or its Facebook page named Queen’s College Old Students’ Association.
