Newsletter for alumni of The
Abbey School, Mt. St. Benedict, Trinidad and Tobago, W.I.
Caracas, 31 March 2012 No.543
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Dear Friends,
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I have plans to travel to Trinidad on the
occasion of Don Mitchell´s visit there on May 17, on the occasion of a wedding.
Last we met was in over 45 years ago?? or
more
As before, I have problems with the lodgings,
and I am looking for a solution
Does anyone need Bolivares??
The airline ticket is easy as it can be
obtained in local currency.
I am in the process of contacting old boys
and friends for a magic solution, jajajajaj
Naturally as Don wrote, it would be nice to
meet as many old boys as possible.
And of course a reunion with the Association
should take place.
There is about a month´s time so maybe there
is time for planning.
I am taking with me a camping tent, just in
case, jajajaja
God bless
ladislao
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For you carnival luvers and those of us who remember the "good ole
days".
Carnival 1953 a short film http://www.filmpreservation.org/preserved-films/screening-room/carnival-in-trinidad-1953
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Date: Wed, 21 Mar 2012 11:01:30 -0700
Subject: The New Abbey School
Dear Abbey School Brothers,
I am elated that some have begun to discuss
the possibility of resuming of the mission of the Abbey School and feel moved
to contribute to it.
As we say in Trinidad "you chook in the
right hole to get the Zandolee to come out".
This service (this ministry) is needed now
more than ever.
One of the many reasons that our society has
degenerated to the barbarism that is now evident is the mistaken belief by some
(including monks) that the needs of education are fully being met otherwise by
the society.
It is a source of tremendous grief and pain
to me that the present Abbot and the Bishop of Georgetown (Guyana) both share
this uninformed understanding.
As I said before, this was my sole interest
in participating in the ASAA.
As I understand it, the most important
mission of the Abbey School was to contribute to the creation of a total person
and to his spiritual awakening to serve the greater, selfless purpose that
would have those touched by the experience, willing to give of self for the
sake of others, irrespective of economic, social, ethnic or religious
considerations - - to be taught to fashion our labours and intent in the
spirit of Christ; to be willing to give all that we have with those who have
nothing; to become servants.
I have a vision of a new Abbey School which
acts as a refuge for those whom need hope, solace and training (but not them
alone).
I have a vision of a new Abbey School which
mediates the circumstances of the unfortunate, the broken, the battered; which
refines the crude and clumsy and produces refined gentlefolk, knowledgeable of
their society and community; a new Abbey School which uses nature, recreation,
sport, the arts and crafts, literature, poetry and scouting (but not
exclusively) all as mediums of instruction; a vision of excellence in teaching;
fashioning distinction in ability, in service, in caring and in concern.
I see a school which acts (where it can ) in
place of those whom can or won't - - as a surrogate; impersonating those whom
are absent or unavailable.
A financial plan must assume full cost
recovery and we should aim to fund the school at least partially from an
endowment insulating it from the ups and downs of economic fluctuations, as far
as possible.
Some spaces should be reserved for those whom
will need financial support, to a degree determined by their means: a few
spaces should be reserved for those who would be only able to pay the most
nominal amount, if anything, on the condition that they contribute some labour
to their education and upkeep.
The governance of the school should be
entrusted only to those: who have good reputations; who are of sound judgement;
with few bias likes and dislikes; with mature experienced highly developed
minds; are trustworthy and have exhibited the highest probity and conduct in
their affairs.
Possibly, the Friends would care to read
about the French Academy system (as a response to the riots in Marseilles in
(2007-2008) and the British Academy system and look at Khan Academy on line.
Many are challenged to learn not because they
lack potential but rather because the full range of teaching methods and
techniques - - explanation, collaboration, demonstration, learning by doing,
mentoring, learning by teaching etc. etc.) are not being used by competent
teachers, able to recognise the varied capacities of their students.
In a modern environment, a school need not be
entirely what it used to, access to the best teachers for some subjects and
areas could be by way of the internet with local tutors supplementing.
Possibly one can have a specialised high
school in business and crafts, with the intention of matriculating with a
structured master craftsman's program elsewhere, which is now a route to
eventual university matriculation
To this noble mission, I am willing to pledge
my modest resources time and effort to the exclusion of all my other interests,
outside of my family and home, as long as others could be found similarly
motivated and willing to give of themselves and resources.
Your servant,
Joe
Joseph Berment-McDowald
telephone: (868)678-8731
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FROM:
Wednesday, March 21, 2012 2:29 AM
Hi Dennis,
You can never tell with Ladislao.
If he is serious I am really looking forward
to saying hello to him after 40 years.
If he is just joking, that is no problem at
all.
I am also hoping to see my old friend in
family planning, Stephanie Daly QC, as well as others you may not know, such as
Emile Elias and Napier Pillai, other old Trinidadian family planning
friends.
You can tell that in my youth when I was not
in court urging a legal brief, I was in the villages promoting a movie on how
to use a condom.
I am still not sure what the connection
between the two was!
Keep well.
Don
----- Original Message
-------------------------------------------------------------
From: DGurley@jdsellier.com
Sent: Tuesday, March 20, 2012 7:20 PM
Subject: RE: Circular No. 541, The Abbey School
MSB
Hi Ladislao
I look forward to meeting up with you and Don
when you visit.
Do give me a call so that we can get together
when you are here.
Regards
Dennis.
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Sent: Wednesday, March 21, 2012 2:11 PM
Subject: Re: Circular No. 541, The Abbey School
MSB
Dear Ladislao,
I am available to treat you during the time that you are in Trinidad.
Please send me your schedule and let me know if there is any specific
service that you want me to arrange for you.
Yours sincerely,
Joseph Berment-McDowald
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FROM:david decastro
Monday, March 12, 2012 4:57 PM
HI LADISLAO, I AM SO VERY
HAPPY YOU RECEIVED THE BOOK. ENJOY AND USE AS YOU SEE FIT. THANKS AGAIN FOR ALL
YOUR GREAT WORK. "BANDIT"
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Date: Mon, 12 Mar 2012 08:38:36 -0700
From: kertesz12@yahoo.com
Subject: Re: FOR ALL THE WORK YOU DO
Dear David
I finally received the "book" It is
well done and you have mentioned stories that you have not mentioned before.
I received it two weeks ago.
But I was with a lot of work and I am trying
to catch up.
At the present time I am in Madrid, Spain on
vacations visiting my son and wife.
Shall be going to Valencia and then to
Budapest.
Returning to Caracas on the 1 of April God
willing.
Trying to even out my stress.
Shall send you the Circulars one by one as
they are ready.
God bless
Ladislao
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From: david decastro calypsobandit@live.com
Sent: Thursday, March 1, 2012 9:00 PM
Subject: FOR ALL THE WORK YOU DO
Subject: FOR ALL THE WORK YOU DO
Hi Ladislao,
I guess you never got my book on mount saint
benedict already in the gang possession.
I want to send you one at no cost to you. but
I wish you would give me the address of a friend who lives in a home.
So that it does not get lost again it’s over
$11.00 for postage but for you I don’t mind trying again
"bandit"
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FROM:Annabella Johnson
Thursday, March 15, 2012 6:05 PM
Dear Ladislao,
Congratulations to Vernon de Lima and Dennis
Gurley on their achievement to receive that prestigious honour “silk”.
Vernon de Lima still lives on Santa Margarita
Hill where I grew up and lived till January 1971 when I left Trinidad to live
in Barbados.
Please convey my congratulations to them
both.
Kind regards
Annabella Farfan Johnson
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FROM:Annabella Johnson
Tuesday, March 20, 2012 2:22 AM
Thanks Ladislao.
If the road is called Basanta Road, maybe it
is not Santa Margarita Hill.
From my house MSB looked just like it looks
from Basanta’s house.
Maybe this road was made after I left TnT in
Jan ’71.
My old house does not exist as it was
demolished and a brand new huge mansion was built on our land which was the
house closest to MSB on the highest point of Santa Margarita Hill.
I have wedding pictures with MSB in the
background.
Annabella
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From: ladislao kertesz [mailto:kertesz12@yahoo.com]
Sent: Monday, March 19, 2012 9:05 PM
Subject: Re: Circular No. 537, The Abbey School
MSB
Dear Annabelle
I really do not know, just that the road is called
Basanta Road.
When I get back to Caracas I shall look it up
in google map.
Regards
ladislao
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From: Annabella Johnson <amjohnson@sunbeach.net>
Sent: Tuesday, March 20, 2012 1:47 AM
Subject: RE: Circular No. 537, The Abbey School MSB
Subject: RE: Circular No. 537, The Abbey School MSB
Dear Ladislao,
Is Basanta’s house with view of Mount St.
Benedict on Santa Margarita Hill?
It looks to me like it is on Santa Margarita
Hill which is where I lived till I left Trinidad 41 years ago.
Thanks in advance for a short reply.
Best regards
Annabella Farfan Johnson
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FROM:Hans Hermans
Monday, March 19, 2012 2:23 AM
Hi;
Am cleaning up some old stuff and came across
the final exam papers given in 1955. You probably recognize them even though
yours must have been different.
I am attaching the English Lit. exam.
If interested, I have all the others also and
can send them as well.
Are there any more definite plans for the 100th
anniversary? Would like to know as I may find a good excuse to visit.
Regards
Hans
(Please send in all memorabilia, so it can be enjoyed by all, editor)
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God bless all.
Ladislao Kertesz at kertesz11@yahoo.com,
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Photos:
Mount Inside MARCH 1966
page 14
63UN0005CLASS1966, Lots
of names missing.
08UN1669FBEKAU, Fr.
Benedict and Kenneth Austin.
65UN0001FOOTBALL, please
check the date,
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