Fatima College - History

History

The College of Our Lady of Fatima began under humble circumstances on the compound of St. Theresa's Intermediate School on 1 January 1945. The pioneering members of staff were Fr John Byrne, Michael McCarthy (prefect) and Andy Cockburn (a layman who is now a priest). The association with St Theresa's began with Parish Priest Fr Francis Flavin, OP. who first recognized the need for an additional Catholic college in North Trinidad. Work on the present site began in February under the supervision of Fr Byrne. In September 1945 classes shifted from St Theresa's, and on 1 December 1945, Archbishop Ryan formally blessed and opened this new College dedicated to our Lady of Fatima.

Fr Byrne retired in 1955 after overseeing the building of the Eastern and Western wings, the diversion of the Maraval River to accommodate the Assembly Hall, the construction of the chapel and three classrooms. Fr James Ryan succeeded him and developed the academic structures and systems of the College. He guided Fatima through the 1950s and 1960s. In the 1960s Fatima designed its own uniform, held its own sports meeting, defeated C.I.C. to win its first InterCol final in 1965 with the inspirational Gally Cummings and launched its own Old Boys Union. Fr Gevias Girod joined Fatima in 1965, took charge of the Scouts and organized the first May Fair (or May Fayre) in 1966.

The 1970s witnessed many social changes in the country. Fatima led the way with the almost inevitable transfer from clerical to lay control with the appointment of Clive Pantin as principal in 1972. Fr Farfan, local Holy Ghost Father, was appointed Vice Principal and these two dynamic individuals directed Fatima through the 1970s with many innovative changes. The production of a well-rounded individual dominated Fatima's philosophy. The periods were characterized by the building of the Audio-Visual Center, Library, new classrooms, Cafeteria, Workshops and curriculum and class changes. Streaming was abandoned in the lower forms and students were now placed in alphabetical order. The concept of free choice of subjects was introduced from Form Four. The curriculum was diversified to include Art, Physical Education, Industrial Art, Technical Drawing, Accounts and Commerce.

Daphne Heywood and Jeanette Zakour joined the staff in 1973, the first women in the traditionally male-dominated institution. Fatima won InterCol for the second time in 1979 while Eugene Joseph and Roger Hernandez became our first Island Scholars in 1976. Fatima was now one of the leading institution in the country, a model of academic and sporting prowess, catering to the needs of every pupil.

Clive Pantin retired in 1981, having served Fatima as Dean, Senior Dean, Senior Lay Master, Cricket and Football Coach, Vice Principal and Principal. He was succeeded by Mervyn Moore who joined the staff in 1959. He recognized the worth of his staff and allowed them the freedom to use their initiative. Just about every individual was assigned some responsibility and brought into the organizational structure of the school.

At the function to welcome him as the new Principal, Mr Moore declared his priorities - the Catholic identity of the school, the rise in academic standards, the fostering of the family spirit and the continued production of well-rounded individuals. A Monday assembly was started to set the right tone for the week. A streamed class was introduced in Form Three as it was felt that Fatima did not adequately encourage the more gifted pupils to excel. Music was introduced to the curriculum with the arrival of Myrtle Cumberbatch.

Fatima published its first Annual in 1982; Kieron James won the President's Medal in the same year, a first for Fatima. Kyle Rudden repeated the feat in 1984. In 1984, thanks to Republic Bank, the Computer Lab was officially opened under the direction of Fr DeFour. In 1988, the new Science Wing was constructed, the Library extended and a new classroom built. This was funded by Robert Amar in memory of his businessman father, Boland Amar (Amar Group of Companies). In the 1980s the lay teachers got more involved in the teaching of Religion with the departure of many priests who has served Fatima faithfully throughout the years. Vice-Principal Anne Gomes-Phillips, a layperson, assumed responsibility for Religion Education (R.E.) to develop the Catholic identity of the school.

The nineties saw the addition of two new faces to the administration of the school, Bernard Tappin as Vice Principal in 1991 and Fr Gregory Augustine, a Fatima alumnus, as manager in 1992. The dress uniform was reintroduced in 1995 to coincide with our fiftieth Anniversary celebrations. The Support Group, Fatima and Friends 2000, was formed to give way to a more broad based Parent Support Group a few years later.

Sports include Football, Rugby, Swimming, Basketball, Table Tennis, Hockey, and Cricket. Fatima boys are now excelling in a wide range of activities - Chess, Scrabble, Math Olympiad, Public Speaking, Essay Writing Competitions, Poetry, Model United Nations, Junior Soca Monarch, RBTT Young Leaders and Swimming. Our choir is a source of pride, excelling repeatedly at the biennial T&T Music Festival, whilst our Form Six boys undertake social projects with the Credo Center and the Princess Elizabeth Home. Our Scout Troop is on its way to being ranked once more as one of the best in the country.The leadership mantle has been handed over to Mr Anthony Garcia. He is working very closely with Vice-Principal, Anne Gomes-Phillips and the Manager Fr Gregory Augustine in the shaping of Fatima's future. They have inherited a highly professional staff, very committed to Fatima. They have sought to build on Fatima's strength and improve on any areas of weaknesses.

Mr Garcia took pre-retirement leave on 12 December 2008 and finally retired on 26 March 2009. Fr Gregory Augustine is currently the Acting Principal.