he proud history of KC is - deservedly - replete with the accomplishments of our venerable patriarchs such as Bishop Percival Gibson and Douglas Forrest, and the thousands of outstanding athletes, scholars, professionals, entrepreneurs, and public servants who have walked the hallowed grounds of Clovelly Park. However, the pivotal role that females have played, both formally and informally, in the growth and development of the institution and its students has been largely overlooked.
Whether it is Bishop Gibson’s sister, Gwendolyn, who in 1925 helped to provide the initial ninety pounds to purchase the Rectory of All Saints Church on East Street, which was eventually renamed Kingston College, or committed stalwarts such as Helen Douglas who gave the best years of their lives to teaching and/or serving in an administrative capacity at KC, women have been - and continue to be - an integral part of shaping and preserving the unique KC legacy. In fact, two women currently serve as the school’s vice-principals: Miss Juliet Wilson (North Street) and Mrs. Marguerita Douglas-Hall (Melbourne).
As the years pass and we become a bit older and wiser and reflect on our own KC experience (and, “no,” we are not discussing secret crushes at this time), the role that many female teachers played in shaping our lives is now clearly evident. Depending on the era, unbeknownst to us, teachers such as Ms. Sonia Serrant, Mrs. Violet Thompson, Mrs. Enid Holding, Ms. Marjorie Wylie, and Ms. Helen Douglas, saw the latent abilities within us. Through equal parts discipline and affection, which only a woman can so delicately balance, they somehow found a way to cultivate the intellectual and social skills which, to this day, help us navigate the various academic, professional and personal circumstances we encounter.
Helen Douglas - Retired Vice Principal
Beyond the gates of KC are the women who also impacted our lives. From our mothers who set aside their protective maternal instincts and honored our passion to attend KC in spite of it being a so-called “bad boy” school (many of us from up-town can testify to this), to the girls, particularly from our sister school St. Hugh’s, who wore our ties to Manning Cup matches and helped us make the awkward transition from boyhood into adolescence (who can forget the combination of excitement and nervousness at the prospect of those rendezvous at Cross Roads?), females were again inextricably linked to the KC experience. Moreover, at times they seemed equally invested in the result of whatever KC endeavor was at hand, whether it be Champs, Schools’ Challenge, or fund-raising. Irrespective of the outcome, they shared the joy and therefore expanded it or shared the pain and thus reduced it. To all our female teachers, administrators, board members and supporters, past and present, we salute you.
Retired Guidance Counselor Sheila Hoosang
Even to the present day, there are KC women in our lives. They include our wives or partners who patiently listen to our stories of the great exploits of KC (stories which she has heard a hundred times from us before) and then offer a dutiful, “yes dear, we know KC is the best,” and our daughters (and, in some cases, our grand-daughters), who we are now steadily indoctrinating with the spirit of fortis - courage in the face of adversity and demanding nothing less than their best effort in whatever they do.
KC ladies working at the Purple Session
Our wives or partners offer tangible or moral support for KC and for the efforts we make through our respective old boys’ associations or individually to maintain the rich tradition of the school. They often attend our events, beautifully adorned in the royal purple, and remind us of just how blessed we are that they have shared their lives with us and, in so doing, immeasurably enriched our own.
Feel free to share this article with the KC lady in your life and let her know just how loved and appreciated she is.
