Fatima College is a government-assisted,
Roman Catholic
Roman or Romans most often refers to:
*Rome, the capital city of Italy
*Ancient Rome, Roman civilization from 8th century BC to 5th century AD
*Roman people, the people of ancient Rome
*'' Epistle to the Romans'', shortened to ''Romans'', a lette ...
boys'
secondary school
A secondary school describes an institution that provides secondary education and also usually includes the building where this takes place. Some secondary schools provide both '' secondary education, lower secondary education'' (ages 11 to 14) ...
in
Port of Spain
Port of Spain (Spanish: ''Puerto España''), officially the City of Port of Spain (also stylized Port-of-Spain), is the capital of Trinidad and Tobago and the third largest municipality, after Chaguanas and San Fernando. The city has a municip ...
,
Trinidad and Tobago
Trinidad and Tobago (, ), officially the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, is the southernmost island country in the Caribbean. Consisting of the main islands Trinidad and Tobago, and numerous much smaller islands, it is situated south of ...
. It was established in 1945 and had an enrollment of 895 students . The school was established and is run by the
Holy Ghost Fathers
, image = Holy Ghost Fathers seal.png
, size = 175px
, caption = The seal of the Congregation depicting the Immaculate Heart of Mary, and the Holy Spirit proceeding from the Trinity.
, abbreviation ...
, an international Roman Catholic religious community.
History
1945 - 2009
The College of Our Lady of Fatima began under on the compound of St. Theresa's Intermediate School on 1 January 1945. The members of staff were Fr John Byrne, Michael McCarthy (prefect) and Andy Cockburn (a layman who is now a priest). The association with St Theresa's began with Parish Priest Fr Francis Flavin, OP. who first recognized the need for an additional Catholic college in North Trinidad. Work on the present site began in February under the supervision of Fr Byrne. In September 1945 classes shifted from St Theresa's, and on 1 December 1945, Archbishop Ryan formally blessed and opened this new College dedicated to our Lady of Fatima.
Fr Byrne retired in 1955 after overseeing the building of the Eastern and Western wings, the diversion of the Maraval River to accommodate the Assembly Hall, the construction of the chapel and three classrooms. Fr James Ryan succeeded him and developed the academic structures and systems of the College. In the 1960s Fatima started participation in sports meeting, defeated C.I.C. to win its first InterCol final in 1965. Fr Gevias Girod joined Fatima in 1965, took charge of the Scouts and organized the first May Fair (or May Fayre) in 1966.
The 1970s Fatima transferred from clerical to lay control with the appointment of Clive Pantin as principal in 1972. Fr Farfan, local Holy Ghost Father, was appointed Vice Principal and these two individuals directed Fatima through the 1970s.
Clive Pantin retired in 1981, having served Fatima as Dean, Senior Dean, Senior Lay Master, Cricket and Football Coach, Vice Principal and Principal. He was succeeded by Mervyn Moore who joined the staff in 1959.
The nineties saw Bernard Tappin as Vice Principal in 1991 and Fr Gregory Augustine, a Fatima alumnus, as manager in 1992.
Sports include Football, Rugby, Swimming, Basketball, Table Tennis, Hockey, and Cricket.
Mr Garcia took officially retired on 26 March 2009.
2009 to present
While Mr. Garcia was on pre-retirement leave, the College's Manager, Fr Gregory Augustine was appointed to act as Principal on 5 January 2009.
In 2013, a New Wing was constructed to the North of the compound. This building now houses the Drama Room, the Art Room, the TD Room, the Fatima Old Boys' Association Office and 7 classrooms form students of Form 6.
In 2010, following the retirement of Mr. Harry Ramdass, Mr. Al Cooper assumed the role of Dean of Form 1. In 2012, following the death of Mr. Aloysious Joseph, Mr. Stefan de Gale was appointed as Dean of Form 5. In 2013, Mrs. Nirmala Bejai-Thompson replaced Mr. Michael Maharaj as Head of Department of Business.
In January, 2015, Mrs. Annie Gomes-Phillips was promoted to Principal of St. Benedict's College in San Fernando. Mrs. Gillian Ramdass, Dean of Form 4 then assumed the role of Vice Principal. Mr. Joel Greene was promoted to the office of Dean of Form 4. Following the retirement of Mrs. Rosemarie Duff at the end of the 2014-2015 academic year, Mr. Kwasi Noel replaced her as Dean of Form 6.
Notable alumni
*
Sheldon Bateau
Sheldon Bateau (born 29 January 1991) is a Trinidad and Tobago, Trinidadian professional Association football, footballer who plays as a Defender (association football), central defender for S.K. Beveren on loan from Turkish club Samsunspor. Ba ...
- Professional Footballer
*
Ato Boldon - Former Olympic sprinter
*
George Bovell
George Richard Lycott Bovell (born 18 July 1983) is an Olympic bronze medalist swimmer and former world record holder from Trinidad and Tobago. Bovell is also a two-time World Championship bronze medalist.
Olympic career
George Bovell represen ...
- Olympic swimmer
*
Clive Bradley - Composer and Arranger of
Steel pan
The steelpan (also known as a pan, steel drum, and sometimes, collectively with other musicians, as a steelband or steel orchestra) is a musical instrument originating in Trinidad and Tobago. Steelpan musicians are called pannists.
Descriptio ...
music
*
Darren Bravo
Darren Michael Bravo (born 6 February 1989) is a Trinidadian Cricketer who plays international cricket for the West Indies. A left-handed batsman, his batting style has drawn comparisons with Brian Lara. Bravo is the younger half brother of fel ...
- West Indies Cricketer
*
Everald Cummings
Everald "Gally" Cummings (born 28 August 1948 in Trinidad and Tobago) is a former football midfielder who played for six years in the North American Soccer League. He also played professionally in Mexico. He was a mainstay of the Trinidad and ...
- Former Professional Footballer and coach of the T&T ''Strike Squad''
*
Brian Lara
Brian Charles Lara, (born 2 May 1969) is a Trinidadian former international cricketer, widely acknowledged as one of the greatest batsmen of all time. He topped the Test batting rankings on several occasions and holds several cricketing reco ...
- Former West Indies Cricketer, Captain and multiple World Record holder
*
Raoul Pantin
Raoul Pantin (June 5, 1943 – January 15, 2015) was a Trinidad and Tobago journalist, editor, poet and playwright. He penned six plays during his career. Pantin survived the 1990 Jamaat al Muslimeen coup attempt and terrorist attack, in which he ...
– Journalist and playwright
*
Darryl Roberts - Professional Footballer
*
Anthony Smart
Anthony Isidore Smart is a Trinidadian politician and lawyer. He served as a Member of Parliament from December 1986 to November 1991 and Attorney General of Trinidad and Tobago from March 1989 to November 1991. He was also Political Leader of the ...
- Former
Attorney-General of Trinidad and Tobago and Member of Parliament
*
Kevon Villaroel - Professional Footballer
*
Dylan Carter - Olympic Swimmer
References
Sources
*
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Educational institutions established in 1945
Buildings and structures in Port of Spain
Catholic schools in Trinidad and Tobago
1945 establishments in Trinidad and Tobago
Spiritan schools