Prolonged applause echoed throughout the 7,200-square-foot Campus B auditorium on Monday evening this week, as the multi-purpose facility was renamed the Rodney MacArthur Rey Auditorium in honour of the distinguished educator.

The honour, approved by the Executive Council, was conferred on Mr. Rey as he sat in the company of a large and appreciative audience. The gathering included family members, scores of Government officials, fellow educators, past and present students at the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School and a large cross-section of the public including members of the Bethel Methodist Church.

Honoured Anguillian, Mr. Rodney Rey

He serves at that church as Congregational Steward, Class Leader, Sunday School Superintendent and Member of the Male Circuit Choir.

The declaration of the official opening and renaming of the auditorium was made by Minister of Social Development, Evans McNiel Rogers, towards the end of a packed and lively programme of song, music, dance and other forms of tribute. It was a delightful evening and occasion rarely enjoyed by honourees while still alive and at their zenith of national contribution.

Government Officials and others Applauding Mr. Rey

The programme, under the able chairmanship of former teacher, Sanford Richardson, now Commissioner of Social Development, began with prayers by Methodist Supernumerary Minister, Rev. John A. Gumbs. The selections included renditions by the ALHCS Steel Orchestra led by Dumpa Martin, the ALHCS Concert Band under the leadership of Lennox Vanterpool, the School Choir and ALHCS Recorder Ensemble led by Daphne Jacobs-Richardson; and Dance From Within, a group of young dancers under the direction of Amber Woodley. Other selections were by past members of the School Choir, the past Boys’ Choir, past members of the ALHCS Steel Orchestra, Junior Calypso Monarch, Singing Niqua, Gordon Hazell and the Mighty Springer, who fittingly sang “Honour Our Greats.”

School Choir led by Mrs. Daphne Jacobs-Richardson

Head of the School’s English Department, Rita Carty, delivered Mr. Rey’s biography. On completion of his secondary education in 1972, he served as a Geography Teacher but also taught History, Biology, Mathematics and Rural Science at the then Valley Secondary School. He pursued tertiary studies at the University of the West Indies, Mona Campus, and graduated in 1977 with a B.Sc. degree in Geography and Geology. In 1987 he was awarded a Bachelor of Education degree by the University of Nippising, North Bay, Ontario, Canada. He also benefitted from an attachment in England at the University of Newcastle-Upon-Tyne where he gained qualifications in School Management.

ALHCS Concert Band led by Lennox Vanterpool

All of these factual statements have their value, but they do not suffice to qualify or quantify the individual whose existence occasions our presence at this ceremony of commendation and commemoration,” Mrs. Carty stated. “We are likely to perceive a more adequate measure of the man when we consider the ways in which he serves this community at home, at church and school… He brings to these roles a high level of enthusiasm, innovation and resourcefulness. Yet it is in his role as an educator that Mr. Rey has gained the highest distinction. He has served the Valley Secondary School and the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School not only as a Teacher in the Department of Humanities, but also as Head of the same Department, as Deputy Principal, Curriculum, and ultimately, with the full support of his teaching colleagues, as Principal.”

She also mentioned Mr. Rey’s service as President of the Anguilla Teachers’ Union for six years and as an Executive Officer of the Caribbean Union of Teachers. In 2000 he requested a transfer from his post as Principal of the ALHCS and was appointed Principal Assistant Secretary in the Chief Minister’s Office and in 2002 he was appointed Permanent Secretary there. In 2005 he was transferred to the post of Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Social Development. It was there that he met “a white elephant on paper” (a design plan for the Campus B auditorium) which became his labour of love to transform it into reality.

"Mr. Rey’s achievements in the field of education were no doubt motivated by his keen interest in all things educational,” Mrs. Carty went on. “He has always presented strong arguments to enhance the development of this area as a result of his deep commitment. The depth of Mr. Rey’s passion for education can be sounded by the fact that in January 2009, a short time after his official stint in the Anguilla Public Service, a period of some 31 years, Mr. Rey re-launched his full-time teaching career thus demonstrating the high regard he holds for that role…”

Applauding audience with the Rey family

Mr. Rogers, the Minister for Social Development, and a former student of Mr. Rey, made the point that there was some guilt in Anguilla about not recognising persons in a tangible manner for outstanding service but waiting until they were deceased to do so. He was happy that Mr. Rey was present for the recognition accorded to him. “I believe it is very important to say ‘thank you, Mr. Rey, for a job well done,” he said. “The Government of Anguilla, and the Ministry of Social Development in particular, is committed to recognising sterling contributions to the development of Anguilla by distinguished educators and others with outstanding public service careers. The Government seeks to do this by naming public buildings in honour of such persons thereby ensuring that they are never forgotten and that their achievements are celebrated by this generation and many generations to come.”

The past Boys Choir

Mr. Rogers stated that during his long and remarkable public service career, Mr. Rey had touched the lives of many persons. He continued: “His love for teaching and his students, and his acceptance that he had a large part to play in ensuring their success, propelled him to push them to their limits, while maintaining their interest in the subject area and gaining their love and respect. With his natural leadership abilities, coupled with the love of his students and colleagues, it was not surprising that Mr. Rey eventually became Principal of the Albena Lake-Hodge Comprehensive School and, by all accounts, led his team with courage, compassion, determination, enthusiasm and humility. Mr. Rey’s dedication to task was no different during his years whether as Principal of the School, Principal Assistant Secretary, Permanent Secretary in the Chief Minister’s Office and later Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Education. In everything he did he demonstrated commitment, dedication and I would underline passion.” He described Mr. Rey as “a very reliable, God-fearing and honest person who is never afraid to take a position even if it meant standing alone.”

The Minister added: “It is an honour, a privilege and also a pleasure, on behalf of the Government and people of Anguilla, your past and present students and your colleagues, that I extend heartiest congratulations to you on this milestone. I cannot think of a person more deserving for this honour. You have served this country with dignity and distinction. Thank you for a job well done and may God continue to bless you.”

Some of Mr. Rey's friends and well-wishers

Responding, Mr. Rey told about his interest in teaching. “I stayed in teaching because I love my country and I love to assist the young people in their personal, social and economic development,” he reported. “As I observed young people excel in the classroom, and on the games field, I grew more and more committed to teaching and I made it my career. I believe that is what I can do best.”
Mr. Rey, who is back in school as a fulltime-teacher in the Department of Humanities, teaching in forms 2-5, went on: “I accept this honour with deep humility and gratitude. I am extremely pleased that my little contribution to Anguilla is recognised by the Government and people of Anguilla in this way and, most fittingly, my name will be remembered for posterity. All of this would not have been possible without the recommendation of my colleagues in the education community and the consequent endorsement by the Executive Council of the Government of Anguilla. I thank you for holding me in such high esteem.” He said the honour validated his decision to stay in teaching and to serve as long as God enabled him to do so. He was grateful for the excellent programme and to all who planned and participated in it. He was also thankful to his grandmother and mother for ensuring that he received a good education and all of his colleagues in education for their support.

Past students in performance

Mr. Rey was given a tremendous applause when he paid tribute to the people of Anguilla whose money had been spent by Government on his education. “Anguilla has been good to me,” he acknowledged. “I have been trained in Jamaica, Guyana, Canada and the United Kingdom at the expense of the people of Anguilla. I have seen the world at the expense of the people of Anguilla and for this I am very grateful and I thank both past and present Governments for investing in me.”

The Vote of Thanks was delivered by Deputy Principal responsible for Campus B, Melsadis Fleming.

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