History was created at Island Harbour when the school there was renamed the Vivien Vanterpool Primary School in honour of the dignified and well-respected former educator, whose life and work contributed greatly to the educational development and success of many of the island’s professionals today.

Teacher Arthwin Vanterpool

The honoured gentleman, affectionately known as Teacher Arthwin, proudly occupied a front row seat on Thursday, October 15, as commendations were heaped on him for his outstanding contribution and personal achievements over a period of many years.

The Vivien A Vanterpool School Choir

“It is with a profound sense of gratitude that I sit here as we rename this school in honour of one of the pillars of the Anguillian society,” Minister of Social Development, Evans Rogers, said to the applause of the large gathering of Government and education officials, teachers, students and other persons.
“Mr. Vivien Vanterpool… is one of the pillars upon which the advancement of our people rest,” Mr. Rogers went on. “He is a pillar because he represents strength, fortitude, determination, dedication and endurance. He is a pillar because all of us can stand on the shoulder of his work…You cannot but feel grateful for the things that he has done and the sacrifices that he has made for our country.” He said Teacher Arthwin’s life as an educator covered almost five decades, having begun his teaching career in 1951 and became the first Principal of the Island Harbour School twenty years later.

Front row: Govenor Harrison, Mr. Vanterpool and Pastor Cephas Webster

“While he served as Principal of a number of other schools on Anguilla, this school is his school, this community is his community,” the Minister continued. “His name stands out among all the others for the contribution he has made to the educational advancement of the people of this community and Anguilla in general. The Government of Anguilla, and in particular the Ministry of Education, is pleased to honour Teacher Arthwin. We believe that when people served with distinction they must be appropriately recognised and rewarded. There is no doubt that Teacher Arthwin served with distinction. His career in education continues to this very day. I say this because retirement was simply a change of roles from teacher and administrator to advocate. This is evident aserve in any educational-related capacity, post retirement. It is also evident from his many articles which sometimes appeared in The Anguillian Newspaper still offering advice and perspectives on educational development and the direction of Anguilla.”

Front row: CM Osbourne Fleming, Mr. Kenneth Harrigan and Mr. Evans Rogers

Mr. Rogers told Teacher Arthwin that his name would forever be etched on the minds of the staff and students of the school and the people of the community, inspiring them to reach higher heights.

The Elected Representative for Island Harbour and Minister of Infrastructure, Kenneth Harrigan, described Mr. Vanterpool as someone who over the years had put country above self. He said there were many Anguillians at home and abroad who owed the retired educator a debt of gratitude and spoke about various other capacities in which Mr. Vanterpool served the island on retirement. These included Resident Representative of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank and Director of the National Bank of Anguilla. He was particularly grateful to him however for his sterling role in education and his love for, and dedication to, the children of the island. “Teacher Arthwin, I want to thank you for your service to our community and Anguilla on a whole,” Mr. Harrigan added.

Teacher Arthwin and past teachers of the school

The ceremonial programme included several renditions by the school’s choir and past students; and a reflection by retired teacher Carmen Richardson, who served as one of Teacher Arthwin’s staff members at a number of schools. The unveiling of the of the school was done by Teacher Athwin assisted by Education Officer, Winston Duncan, and a special presentation on behalf of the Ministry of Education was made by Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Chanelle Petty-Barrett.

In expressing thanks for the honour bestowed on him, Mr. Vanterpool pledged to continue to exhibit the qualities of a role model and he was grateful to have received his “flowers” while he was alive.

Unveiling of new name by Tr. Arthwin and Winston Duncan

He took the opportunity to trace his own educational achievements and long service as an educator. He entered the then East End Elementary School in 1937 and left there in 1948 on a two-year Teachers’ Scholarship to the St. Kitts-Nevis Grammar School. He returned to the East End School in January 1951 as an Assistant Teacher. In 1959 he was awarded a scholarship at the Leeward Islands’ Teachers Training College in Antigua, following which he was again posted at the East End School. In September, 1965, he was transferred to the West End Primary School as Acting Head Teacher and in the following year was appointed to head that school, earning as little as $242.00 per month.

Presentation to Mrs. Vanterpool by Eldesa Brooks

In 1970 he was transferred as Principal of the East End School and was later appointed to the new school at Island Harbour, built by the Royal Engineers. In 1972/73 he was awarded a Commonwealth Scholarship to attend the University of Newcastle-Upon-Tyne in the United Kingdom. He served as Principal at the Valley Primary School on two occasions. In 1979/81 he returned to the University of Newcastle-Upon-Tyne where he completed a Bachelor of Philosophy degree in Education and a Diploma in Advanced Educational Studies. He retired in 1987 after a most dedicated and long service.

Mrs. Chanelle Petty-Barrett making presentation to Teacher Arthwin

Mr. Vanterpool said teaching was one of the noblest professions and a great responsibility and he urged teachers and students to dedicate themselves to the tasks before them and remain focused.

The ceremony, chaired by Pastor Gareth Hodge, a past student, included the opening prayer by Pastor Cephas Webster, also a past student; the welcome and brief remarks by Principal of the Vivien Vanterpool Primary School, Mrs. Tracelyn Hamilton, and the Vote of Thanks by Acting Deputy Principal, Mrs. Marsha Harrigan.

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