Holy Name Convent Secondary school was pleased to celebrate the official Mass for the Blessing of the Sr. Bernadette de La Bastide Wing Housing the Sr. Helen Gomes Auditorium followed by the Commissioning Ceremony on Tuesday 2nd July 2024. The Mass was celebrated by Fr Gregory Augustine in attendance were Prioress General of the Dominican Sisters- Sr. Arlene Greenidge O.P.and other Dominican Sisters, Chairperson of the Dominican Sisters’ Education Board of Management- Sr Stephanie Clemendor O.P. and members of the Board, School Administration- Ms. Lisette Khan- Acting Principal and Sr Renee K. Hall O.P., Representatives of the Dominican Sisters including Sr Marie Therese Retout who is now 103 and contributed to the project through the sale of her books- From Roots to Wings and Called to Serve, Officials from the Ministry of Education, Contractor Representatives- Flags TC International, Past and Present Staff, Students, Parents and members of the original Steering Committee that was formed in 2017/2018.
The second part of the Ceremony witnessed the official commissioning and handing over of the key by the Project Management Team – National Maintenance Training and Security to the Ministry of Education and Holy Name Convent. We were privileged to have in our midst the Minister of Education- Dr Nyan Gadsby-Dolly, Minister in the Ministry of Education Mrs Lisa Morris Julian, Minister of Finance Minister Colm Imbert and MP for the area Minister Stuart Young who were accompanied by other ministry officials. Due to the two part nature of the day’s proceedings many of the persons who attended the Mass in the morning returned for the afternoon
In 2017 a small team came together and re-initiated the vision to construct a three story wing with an Auditorium. Over the last seven years the team showed complete commitment to ensuring that this project came to fruition. The initial committee led by Mr Ian Benjamin- Chairperson, Mr John Gonsalves-Project Manager, School Administration- Mrs Frances La Caille-Perkins- Acting Principal, Ms Lisette Khan- Acting Vice Principal, Dean of Form Six- Sr Renée K. Hall, Mrs Roxanne Colthrust-Fundraising lead, Mrs Rudylynn De Four- Architect, Nerisa Holder – Structural Engineer, Moana Ramdial- Draughtswoman, Joanna Ellis- Quantity Surveyor and Janelle Kowlessar – Project Management support- all of whom are HNC Alumni. There were many others who contributed along the way to whom we are also grateful.
We are very aapreciative for the unwavering support of the Dominicans Sisters and the Dominican Sisters’ Education Board of Management every step of the way, the entire building, technical and fundraising team who all played a critical role in ensuring that all of the many persons who worked with complete commitment to ensure that this goal was established. This brought to fruition a vision that was birthed in September 2004. It was expressed at that time the need for the construction of a new building housing eight classrooms to supplement the then need for additional teaching spaces. We are grateful to Almighty for His Intervention and Providence.
The Sr. Bernadette de la Bastide Wing Housing the Sr Helen Gomes Auditorium comprises:
1) Eight teaching classrooms name after Sts Dominic, Catherine, Albert, Rose, Josephine Bhakita, Faustina, Mary Magdalene and Martin de Porres
2) A meeting Room- Our Lady of Guadalupe3) An Auditorium with a Labyrinth
FULL LINK TO COMMISSIONING:
https://www.youtube.com/live/FSSMZhSpUM0
FULL LINK TO MASS: