On Saturday, 13 February 2021, I received a call from M. Harold (Neil) Jones of the Combermere Alumni Association USA (CAAUSA) in which he requested that I participate in a Zoom meeting with the members of the CAAUSA. I was indeed honoured that the info presented in my article in the Pulse newsletter of the local Combermere School Old Scholars Association (CSOSA) had been duly noted, and that I could get an opportunity to expand on some of the points raised, specifically about the performance of students.

Mr. Jones had endeared himself to me in 2018 when I met with him for the first time around the time of the celebration for Colonel Maynard. At that time, he had lifted a heavy burden from my chest when I found out that he had coordinated the purchase of the plaque which was to be erected in honour of the Colonel.  He even contributed substantially to the plaque and so did some other members of the USA Alumni Association. In effect, his was a critical role. Because of his humility and his strength of character, one would not have known the role he played as he sat in the audience at the mentioned ceremony, held in the Major Noot Hall..

So, when Harold called me to request that I join the Zoom meeting, I gladly accepted. On my first visit to his vacation home here in Barbados, as I had sat talking with him about Combermere School, I was really impressed with what the CAAUSA was doing on behalf of the school. I departed that day with no doubt that he and the CAAUSA were very passionate about improving the teaching-learning situation at Combermere School. I have always had a lot of time for people who “do” rather than “only talk.” My Pastor once told the story about 3 frogs on a wall. According to him, one of them decided to jump. He then asked the congregation how many were left. Expecting to hear “2”, he paused and then said “All 3.” To the question “Why?, he answered, “One of them DECIDED to jump but NEVER jumped.

There can easily be a great gulf between deciding and doing…doing requires focus, commitment, and a desire to see something through to the end.

I can safely say that the CSAUSA President, Ian Watson, Harold and his team have built a good track record of responding to requests from the school. Not only do they contribute, but they also try to get feedback about how the donations have benefitted the school.

I was made aware that CAAUSA, in conjunction with our own local CSOSA, recently sent a shipment to outfit the Physics and Home Economics Departments. In 2015, they outfitted the Physics and Chemistry Departments with $15,000.00 US in lab equipment. They have now completed their commitment to outfit all four Labs at the school.

Amazingly, having done all of that, they are once again asking how they can be of assistance and it is for us as a local group to forge even stronger links with them and give them an accurate idea of the pressing needs of the current time.

I also found out that they are currently assisting a young man who has come to the USA for medical treatment and who is not a Combermerian. It is a reminder that Combermerians are willing to share their resources with others who did not attend our school. 

The group is multi-generational, which suggests that there is great scope for continuity of purpose. I have been in touch, subsequently, with the President, Mr. Ian Watson, and Harold, Chairman of CAAUSA, and have vowed to keep in touch with them at a personal level.

I therefore would like to put on record the precious and wonderful work done by the Combermere School Alumni in the USA and ask also that our local group redouble our efforts to foster even greater links with them. There is indeed strength in unity. It is obvious that with a combined approach to overcoming hurdles, we can take our University of Waterford to greater heights more quickly.

Finally, I would like to appeal to Combermerians, who characteristically openly and boldly praise the school as the “greatest school,” to do some introspection and ask:

Am I doing anything to provide direct assistance to students of this era? IF so, then what more can i do to truly make a difference

If I am not, can I change my approach, make a decision, act on it and go ahead and make my contribution in order to ensure the further growth and development of Combermere School, so that we can all be even more proud of our alma mater in the future.

Up and ON!