OUR ORIGINS

The first Canadian Mission Primary School in Trinidad was established at Iere Village near Mission (later renamed Princes Town) in 1868. Remarkably, under the dynamic educational thrust pursued by the Reverend Doctor John Morton, there were as many as 60 such institutions in existence by the end of the 19th century. 

It was only a matter of time before the first secondary school would make its appearance, this time under the leadership of the Reverend Doctor Kenneth James Grant, who had arrived in the colony in 1870 to assist Morton in his great enterprise. 

In his book My Missionary Memories, K.J. Grant says:

“…Naparima College was the product of natural development…I was constrained to give instruction in Latin, History, Geometry, Algebra etc. to certain young people, representing different nationalities, who aspired to a liberal education…”

As time wore on and the class grew, a master was subsequently employed and fees were charged.

This private class was recognized as a secondary school in 1894 when the Missionary Council of the “United Church of Canada” in Trinidad formally gave assent to its new status. Largely responsible for this accreditation was the establishment of the “Naparima Training College” for teachers in 1894. Both institutions were merged in the same physical space at what was then the “nerve centre” of the Canadian Mission presence in Trinidad…at the function of Carib and Coffee Streets in San Fernando. 

By 1897, with the acquisition of “Oriental Hall” (where the present-day Grant Memorial Presbyterian school now stands) the three higher education Naparima institutions were focused:

  • the Presbyterian College (later renamed the St. Andrews Theological College… founded 1892.
  • the Naparima Training College for teachers (1894)
  • Naparima College (1894)

In speaking of the period 1883-1899, regarding Naparima College, Dr. Grant continues in his memoirs…inter alia. 

“…After years of persistent effort, the stage was reached that seemed to warrant application for recognition from the Government…under the Educational Ordinance of Sir Arthur Gordon, which allowed any school of secondary education to be declared affiliation with the “Queen’s Royal College…”

On fulfilling all the necessary criteria, Naparima College was formally recognized by the then colonial government, as a “bona fide” Secondary School in 1900…six years after being so recognized by its parent church. 

In 1917, Naparima College was removed from its cramped quarters at the Carib Street compound. The school now occupies 6 acres of a 9-acre parcel of real estate at Paradise Pastures; the remaining 3 acres were reserved for the Theological College and the Teacher’s Training College. 

A better site could not have been chosen; “Paradise Hill” rising to a height of 190 feet above sea level, overlooks the placed Gulf of Paria to the West and the sprawling town of San Fernando to the North, East, and South. 

1893

  • Need for Secondary School felt by Canadian Mission Council.

1894

  • Dr. Grant’s class associated with the newly founded Training College for Teachers in the Presbyterian Theological College, Coffee Street.

1897

  • Naparima College founded by Dr. K. J. Grant (1839-1931) Orient Hall.

1899

  • Mission Council petition for affiliation to the Queen’s Royal College. 

1990

  • Recognized as Assisted Secondary School for affiliation to Queen’s Royal College. Allison Cumming, B.A., First Head Teacher. (Attendance: 50, Staff: 4).

1904

  • First Class graduated with Cambridge Senior School Certificates.

1913

  • Scott Fraser won the Jerningham Silver medal for First Place in the country at Cambridge School Certificate Examination. 

1917

  • College transferred to new premises, Paradise Savannah. (Attendance: 65, Staff:6, Residence:8).

1928

  • First Aid and Ambulance Corps instituted.

1929

  • Student Council Government instituted. 

1932

  • Erection of Main College building. Science Laboratory established. Junior and Senior Loyal League formed.

 

1934

  • Oxford and Cambridge Higher School Certificate class graduated. 
  • Lectures on Agricultural subjects given at College.

1936

  • First Higher School Certificate class graduated.
  • T. Geddes Grant Memorial-Dormitory erected. 

1939

  • Friday January 27, First Founder’s Day exercises held. 

1945

  • Junior Red Cross organized.

1950

  • Golden Jubilee

1952

  • Retirement of Rev. V. B. Walls as Principal (28 years of service).

1953

  • Appointment of Rev. E. T. Lute, M.A., B.A., as principal.

1954

  • Audio- Visual Room and Public Address System installed. 
  • Approval of Development and Extension Program 

1955

  • First Naparima Scout Troop established.
  • Science Building (First Stage) completed.
  • Branch School at Siparia (80) and Tunapuna (80) started on temporary sites. 

1957

  • Stage 2 at Naparima College, San Fernando completed. 
  • First stage at Siparia and Tunapuna Completed.
  • Official recognition for aid given to branches at Siparia and Tunapuna. 

1958

  • First group of students presented for Examinations in the Science Group of the Higher School Certificate.
  • Stage 3 completed.
  • Student Centre established.
  • Rev. Purdy appointed Chaplain

1959

  • Presbyterian Secondary Education Board and administrative Committee set up. 

1960

  • Stage 4 of the new building completed.
  • Dr. V. B. Walls revisited as guest of Old Boys’ Association. 

1961

  • Rev. E.T. Lute left for Canada.
  • Rev. J.F. Seunarine, first native Principal appointed. 

1962

  • First Girl graduated with Full Science Certificate- Rosie Mohammed. 
  • Death of Rev. Edward T. Lute (former Principal).

1965

  • Walls Pavilion constructed by Old Boy’s Association at the playing fields’ Broadway.

1966

  • Allan I. Mc Kenzie, the first layman, appointed Principal, also the first Principal appointed by Government under the New Education Act. 
  • Mr. James Lee Wah appointed as Vice Principal.
  • Inauguration of Secondary Schools Drama Festival- James Lee Wah. 

1967

  • Closure of Dormitory- conversion into classrooms. 

1968

  • Mr. Sammy and Mr. Bissessar retire.
  • Ralph Maharaj- outstanding performance in Drama Festival. Best actor award for two years running. 
  • Melville Foster- Best Original Play.

1969

  • Won Drama Festival’s best production with “A Little Soap and Water” written and produced by Hafeezul Kenny Sukoorali.

1971

  • Dr. Allan I. Mc Kenzie resumed duty as Principal in Sep. 1971.

1972

  • Naps won Best Production in Drama Festival and eight prizes- “Tears in the Gayelle” by Dennis Noel, produced by Rosmarie Wyse. 

1975

  • Additional Chemistry Laboratory.
  • Celebration of Diamond Jubilee.

1980

  • Naparima Sea Scout Troop placed 1st and 3rd in District Flag Competition in San Fernando District, 4th in the National Finals.

1981

  • Scouts went to Canada (Calgary) accompanied by Mr. Hydal. 

1982

  • Establishment of a Computer Laboratory in Naparima College.

1984

  • Zoology laboratory established

1985

  • Memorial service for Dr. Victor Walls, former Principal.
  • Elmo Lennard retires after 30 years of teaching service.

1987

  • Choir won 8 championship trophies at the Music Festival under Avery Joseph

1988

  • Retirement of V.P. James Lee Wah

1990

  • Choir won 5 trophies at the National Music Festival under Avery Joseph

1991

  • Renovation of the V. B. Walls Sports Pavilion by Naparima College Old Boys’ Association.

 

1993

  • Naparima students spoke to astronauts on board the Space Shuttle Columbia, organized by Mr. Dev Gosine

 

NAPARIMA COLLEGE PRINCIPALS 

Rev. Kenneth James Grant – 1894-1905 (Founder Of The School)

Rev. Alison Cumming – 1900-1903

Dr. F.J. Coffin – 1905-1925

Rev. D.J.A. Scrimgeour – 1909-1912

Rev. Dr. H. H. Kemp – 1913-1915

Rev. Dr. J.C. Macdonald – 1915-1917

Rev. W.A. Hunter – 1917-1923

* Mr. H Dyment – 1923-1924

Rev. Victor Benjamin Walls – 1925-1952

Rev. Edward T. Lute – 1953-1961

Rev. James F. Seunarine – 1961-1966

Dr. Allan I. Mc Kenzie – 1966-1993

Mr. Edison Sookoo – 1993-2002

Mrs. Maureen Atwal – 2002-2005

Ms. Kamla Jhagroo (Ag) – 2005-2006

Dr. Michael R. Dowlath – 2006-2021

Mr. Roger Ali (Ag) – 2021-Present

 

NAPARIMA COLLEGE VICE PRINCIPALS

JAMES SAMMY – 1929-1956

*MR. IVAN P. BISSESSAR – 1957-1966

JAMES LEE WAH – 1966-1988

*                                      1989-1990

*MR. EDISON SOOKOO – 1991-1993

  *                                     1994 -2001

MOONILAL PAGEE (AG) – 2002-2005

DAVID SAMMY – 2006-2008

MRS. SUSILLA MARAJ (AG) – 2008-2010

MRS. ROWENA WATTLEY – 2010- 2012

DEVANAND GOSINE (AG) – 2012-2018

ROGER ALI – 2018-2020

RODNEY PARDASIE (AG) – 2020- PRESENT