Iere High School

THE ‘HOUSE’ SYSTEM of IERE HIGH SCHOOL, SIPARIA

The ‘House’ system is an old established system in many hundreds of Secondary Schools in this country and around the world.

Upon entering Secondary School students are equitably distributed into various ‘Houses’, each House led by Masters/Mistresses and Student Captains or Leaders. Such an arrangement leads to healthy rivalry and competition and comes alive most notably during the school’s Annual Sports Day as well as other sporting/literary and cultural activities that form part of the curriculum throughout the academic year. The House System could lend itself to any other kind of learning/teaching activity that could be formulated by the School Administrators. The system could be utilised as well as an excellent ‘modus operandi’ for instilling a sense of discipline and pride amongst students in these years of growing into adolescence and maturity. As such a student remains in the same House for the entire school career of five (5) or seven (7) years.

‘Houses’ are usually named after leading personalities whether pertaining to the school itself, National figures and of course inter-nation acclaimed men and women of renown. It was in the 1960’s that the House System was introduced at Iere High School – named after four (4) of the early leaders/stalwarts who set the foundation and bedrock upon which this institution is so firmly anchored. The following are brief notes on those personalities whose names adorn the ‘Houses’ of Iere High School. It is ‘one small way’ that we seek to honour their contribution to our school.

LUTE

The Rev’d Edward T. Lute M.A., B.D.

Lute first served in the Caribbean as Second Master at Knox College in Spaldings, Jamaica, a well-known Presbyterian Boys’ Secondary School. In 1952 he was appointed Principal of Naparima College and set about an ambitious programme of physically rebuilding and expanding the College and as well instituting a programme for the founding of two (2) Institutions:

Naparima College (North) and
Naparima College (South)

Lute is recognised as the Founder of Iere High School, opened on January 17^th 1955. Lute returned to Canada in 1958/59 and took up an appointment as lecturer at the University of Toronto. The House Colour of Lute is Red.

GRANT

The Rev. Weldon Grant M.A., B.D.

Grant served for several years as Senior English Master at Naparima College and being an exemplary ‘father-figure’ especially to the student residents in Naps Boys’ Dormitory. With the establishment of Naparima College (South) Grant became the Founding Principal accompanied by his wife Mrs. Bernice Moats-Grant as Music Teacher. Grant is remembered for his well-disciplined school and no-nonsense attitude as well as inspiring his students to excel in every aspect of school life. Upon his return to Canada he was appointed a University lecturer in Education. The House Colour of Grant is Green.

RAMCHARAN

RAMCHARAN, CLIFFORD, B.Sc Dip. Ed.

One of the founding staff members he served Iere High School in every capacity that was available – teacher (Geography, Maths, Science), Sports Master, Dean, Vice Principal and as Ag. Principal. Admired and beloved by his students Clifford Ramcharan impacted totally on all who came under his care and tutelage. He later migrated to Canada to continue his teaching career with great distinction. The House Colour of Ramcharan is yellow.

WAGAR

WAGAR, CONSTANCE M.A., Ph.D.

Like Lute and Grant, Dr Wagar was a Missionary from the United Church of Canada. She served as Principal of St. Augustine Girls’ High School for several years and then was appointed as the second Principal of Iere succeeding Rev’d Weldon Grant – she is the first and only Lady Principal thus far in the sixty (60) years of this noble Institution. Of a gentle nature she guided the school into new areas of schooling and especially so in Art having completed her Doctoral programme in the field of ‘Art Education’ in Trinidad and Tobago. After her retirement as Principal of Iere she continued as Counsellor and Art Tutor at Naparima Girls’ High School. The House Colour of Wagar is Blue.

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