The Tribune

AQUINAS College is gearing up for its 60th anniversary celebrations in the new year, with a number of events planned to mark the milestone in the life of the historic and influential institution.

The launch event for the anniversary - the theme for which is “Ever the Flame of Faith” - is scheduled for January.

Aquinas College boasts a rich history and, for years, has made significant contributions to the community. At the invitation of Bishop Paul Leonard Hagarty, OSB, five Dominican Sisters arrived in Nassau in December, 1956, to begin preparations for a teacher training school. Aquinas College opened the following month in the old Hibiscus Inn on Montrose Avenue. In 1958, in addition to teacher training, the Sisters began giving evening classes in English, Mathematics and Business. Students took BJC and RSA examinations, and those who were successful were among the first black Bahamians to assume positions of employment on Bay Street.

The importance of Aquinas College to the history of The Bahamas and its legacy of providing quality education to individuals regardless of race, colour or religion was described eloquently by the late Sir Etienne Dupuch, Publisher and Editor of The Tribune. “Bishop Leonard was aware of the need of a school to train secretaries capable of filling responsible posts in banks and other places which had been closed to coloured people,” he wrote. “In an interview upon her return to the United State Sister Kevin, one of the five Dominican Sisters who established Aquinas College, was asked what her greatest accomplishment was. She responded, ‘I guess helping the first black Bahamians gain entrance into the business world’.”

The official 60th anniversary logo was recently unveiled in preparation for the celebrations. The winning design was chosen because its depiction of the anniversary theme was simple yet strongly identifiable. Zahna Fisher, a grade 12 student, won the design competition open to all Aquinas students with her logo featuring the colours and key elements of the school’s visual identity including the torch and the spade. The torch has been a part of the school’s history since 1957. The school’s yearbook, which was established in 1970, was called ‘The Torch’. The final line in the first verse of the school’s alma mater reads: “Proving words with Christian actions bearing on the Torch of Truth.”

Aquinas also has a strong arts tradition. Andrew Curry, the first Bahamian principal of the school, put Aquinas on the map as a musical centre. Aquinas performances of “The Sound of Music”, “The King and I” and “My Fair Lady” are remembered fondly by many. Today, the famous Aquinas College Marching Band and bi-annual school productions continue the tradition of arts and excellence that defines the institution. Additionally, the school boasts numerous notable alumni, particularly in the entertainment field, including the original members of the Soulful Groovers, Steve McKinney, Carlton Smith, Rudy Grant and Tony Seymour.

The Aquinas College 60th Anniversary Committee, led by Principal Shona Knowles, is calling upon all members of the Aquinas College community, past and present, to reconnect with their school during this historic occasion. Alumni can sign up to receive updates about Aquinas College’s 60th Anniversary events at cboe.cec.edu.bs/alumni/reconnect/ and are invited to share old pictures as well as their experiences at Aquinas College by emailing aquinas60@cec.edu.bs.

“Once an Ace, always an Ace,” Mrs Knowles said. “We invite alumni, former staff and teachers from all eras to join us as we celebrate this historic milestone. Our anniversary theme, ‘Ever the Flame of Faith’, is indicative of the burning flame of faith which all Aquinas College alumni carry in their hearts and which continues to bind them to Aquinas College.”