Stephen Vasciannie
FOR THE last fortnight or so, I have lived in a field of nostalgic thoughts, recollec-tions of childhood, bittersweet remembrance.
As a matter of chronology, it may have started with the function at which Kingston College Old Boys honoured Frances Coke in New York. For most of the decade of the 1970s, Frances Coke was one of a team of outstanding teachers of English language and literature at KC. From among the members of this team, I also sat at the feet of Beryl Urquhart, Sereta Harris, Jasmine Reid and Beulah Reid. They were in the highest class.
But if it is possible, Frances Coke made an even more indelible mark upon a generation of KC boys through her involve-ment in the 'JBC Schools' Challenge Quiz'.
NEW WORLDS
Mrs. Coke was gifted at opening up new worlds to us all. Even today, the literary, biblical, musical and historical allusions - not illusions - flow readily to mind. Procustes stretching his victims (that, by the way, was Michael Fitz-henley's favourite question); Robespierre, the sea-green incorruptible; coal-carriers on strike in St. Lucia (as Patrick Dallas recalled); Eutychus falling asleep in Troas as Paul waxed long-windedly; Ragnarak as a special Armageddon (as Maurice Bailey knew); barcarolle, the Venetian boatman's son; exile, as a kind of loss coming home to faces; there was this little pond in the village; the Letter from Brooklyn in the spidery style; the drowsy numbness that sometimes pains your senses; and the ugly Churchill by Graham Sutherland.
None of these things were essentially part of the school syllabus, but we absorbed them, thought about them, and allowed them to fire the imagination. Some of us took to writing, and all of us grew to love the written word, in much the same way that some people love ripe, juicy mangoes. All this I trace directly back to Mrs. Coke.
But I also trace back to her the idea that preparation for the quiz was preparation for aspects of life. So, we learnt cooperation and team spirit and enjoyed camaraderie, for the chain was as strong as the weakest link.
In those days, too, effort was crowned with the outward trappings of success, for in 1974, 1975 and 1977, Mrs. Coke's charges took home the trophy; but, to be sure, with the passage of the years, the true victories lay in the values that we absorbed along the way - the Battle of Trafalgar was won, after all, on the playing fields of Eton. And, yea, though the battle was sometimes lost, all was never lost. So, Mrs. Coke, thank you for widening our window to the world.
EDWARD MCDONALD
But, even as I celebrated the recognition and honour bestowed on Mrs. Coke, my nostalgic happiness was struck by the news of the passing of Mr. Edward McDonald, a central figure in teaching and the administrative life at Kingston College for over 43 years - from World War II almost to the fall of Gorbachev. Mr. Mac was on leave in the Michaelmas term of 1971 when a first form that included Richard Dyche, Delano Franklyn, Howard Walters, Charlton Collie and others, pursued high school mathematics. But, when he resumed in Hilary, he took us through the paces with his unique style.
I can still see him today. Dark tie, black shoes, spectacles on and off: almost casually, he would introduce geometrical and algebraic concepts first by stating the principles, then by heading respectfully, nay, reverentially, to the chalkboard with his large wooden compass. Occasionally, he would raise his voice above his usual semi-whisper to say "I am pleased! I am happy! I am delighted!", when we came to understand ideas about comple-mentary, supplementary and alternate angles and other items of mathematical magic. And, as David Batts has remembered, Mr. Mac, a man with a quiet sense of humour, used to advertise that he had eyes in the back of his head.
He did not cane us, nor cause any of us to get caned, a point which for many years led us to believe that he had taken a philosophical position on the subject.
Above all, Mr. Mac was gentle, observant and anxious that we should learn to think in a methodical manner. His time at KC was also itself a tribute to his dedication, loyalty and devotion to the school, and, more importantly, to a life of learning. The teacher is the compass.
Stephen Vasciannie is the head of the Department of Government, UWI, and a Deputy Solicitor General in the Attorney-General's Chambers.
