New Amsterdam Multilateral is 35

Sep 24, 2010 News

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Always renowned across the land as Berbice’s most senior secondary school, the New Amsterdam Multilateral School (NAMS) is celebrating its 35th anniversary this month. The school, which has produced many outstanding Berbicians and Guyanese, year after year, has planned a series of activities to commemorate the special period, including a walk-a-thon starting from the Berbice High School—the place where it all began some 35 years ago.
HUMBLE
BEGINNINGS
The Ancient County of Berbice took on a ‘modern’ atmosphere when on September 15, 1975, the doors of the then called New Amsterdam Government Secondary School (NAGSS) were officially opened to students—181 of them along with 11 teachers.
Of greater significance, there was a massive transfer of 516 students from the Berbice High School and by the end of the school year 1975-1976, students enrolled numbered 861; and for the year 1977-1978—1,015.
Members of the first administration of ‘Multi’ as it is popularly called, included the legendary headmistress of the town of New Amsterdam — a name that became a household appellation with anyone who passed through the hallowed halls of the senior educational institution,  the late Ms Joyce A. Thomas.
Reuben Dash, B. Headly and M. Rambali were among the first members of staff of the school.
The multilateral programme had taken steam during those years as many other multilateral schools had been established at: Anna Regina, Bygeval, North Ruimveldt and elsewhere. The most significant aspect of the new multilateral programme was the vast scope which the curriculum facilitated.
Subjects offered include English Language and Literature, Mathematics, Integrated Science, Social Studies, Modern Languages (Spanish), Arts and Crafts, Industrial Arts, Physical Education and Health, Music, Agriculture Science, Home Economics (for both boys and girls) and Guidance. Extra- curricular activities included the Guyana National Service Cadet Corps and clubs and societies.
Ms Joyce Thomas, upon the opening of the institution, was quoted, “Our aim is to expose students to a wealth of varied experiences in an attempt to foster and encourage growth of their innate abilities, aptitudes and interests in a pleasant and harmonious atmosphere.
“As a result of this exposure, it is hoped that students will be able to develop their whole personality, and so acquire the skills and attitudes required for the advancement of the community in which they live, and of their country as well.”
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
NAMS has always sought to give back to the community, since its early days. The building, in years past, was also used by the Adult Education Association (AEA), In- Service Teachers’ Training Programme and the Guyana People’s Militia.
Community Days would highlight visits each school term to places such as the New Amsterdam Public Hospital, Fort Canje Psychiatric Hospital, various Old Folks’ Homes, churches, other schools and the Dharm Shala. The school also visited orphanages in 2009.
Perhaps the most memorable, hilarious and well-received contributions was in 1976 when a group of senior students decided to protest the poor sanitation of the community of Cummingsville in New Amsterdam.
ACHIEVEMENTS AND GLOBAL RECOGNITION
The school’s curriculum has advanced over the years, becoming one of two schools in Regions Five and Six that cater for Sixth-Form
education.
Academic performances at NAMS have been outstanding in the past years. The school produced top ‘A’ Levels students in the country, among them, Landsford John, Gavin Oudit and Davendra Ramkumar. These names have been etched on the Honours Roll board at the school.
The school has produced the top CAPE and CSEC students for the Berbice area in several consecutive years. Young Eileen Marray, of NAMS, topped the entire Caribbean at the CAPE exams recently. The school also secured the top Business student in the Caribbean.
Ms Cynthia Rutherford of NAMS was awarded the Top Arts student prize recently at the CSEC exams. Her achievement saw her gaining Distinctions in English A and B, as well as Theatre Arts. She then represented Guyana at the Caribbean Folk Festival.
Senior Mistress at the School, Shaundel Phillips, was awarded a top prize in the USA, earlier this month, for her sterling contributions to and development of the Arts in Guyana.
Eight students of the school are currently preparing to represent Guyana at the Arts Festival from October 17 in Barbados.
35 WEEKS OF CELEBRATIONS
In a special interview, Principal of the New Amsterdam Multilateral School, Mrs Jacquelyn Benn, said that the 35th anniversary celebrations will run for 35 weeks.
Activities such as an inter-faith church service, brunch, bike-a-thon, walk-a-thon, social evening for ex-students, and medical outreaches are among the planned events thus far.
The school recently made changes to the students’ uniform. They have reverted to light pink and yellow, the original colours worn by the first students.
NEEDS AND APPEALS FOR HELP
Mrs Benn highlighted some of the immediate needs of the school. She is calling on the authorities for an extension of the building and for four additional classrooms for students.
She stated that the Sixth Form students are currently housed in the library. The Industrial Arts Department also needs equipment to support the technological curriculum. Laboratory equipment and chemicals are needed at this time so that experiments can be carried out.
Mrs Benn stated that the 10 computers in the school are not enough to carry on the Information Technology and EDPM curricula which are being taught from Form One through to Form Six.
She also called for some large equipment like washers and stoves for the Home-Economics Department.
The school has an overseas chapter referred to as NAMSAKE, but it has not been as active as many hope it would be.
“AN HONOUR AND PRIVILEGE TO SERVE”
Mrs Benn is the first ex-student of NAMS to return to serve the school she once attended.
When asked how it felt to be the leader of the school during these challenging times, she said, “It is an honour and privilege to serve at such a premier institution.
Over the past five years [since assuming the headship], we’ve been working really hard at improving our results; that was the target.”
During the school’s 33rd Anniversary celebrations in 2008, she stated, in an address to the students, “After thirty-years, I was given the opportunity to return to these hallowed halls to serve.”
Mrs Benn holds several academic qualifications, which include a Trained Teacher’s Certificate, a Bachelor’s Degree in Education and a Master’s Degree in Education.
The school currently has 998 students and 49 teachers—all of whom are qualified professionals. It is interesting to note that nearly half the staff at NAMS is ex-students, something very unusual. (Leon Suseran)

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