8. SUNDAY SUN SPECIAL
NOVEMBER 8, 2015
CHARLES PILGRIM (familiarly known as “Charlie”) recently celebrated his 85th birthday and despite his age, he still has a very sharp memory for the people, the occasions, and the history behind specific events in his life, and in the life of Combermere School. Charlie is the son of the late Gregson Pilgrim and Gertrude Pilgrim (née Roett). He is one of four children. Charlie said his mother was “a remarkable woman who had a great influence” in his life. Charlie attended Combermere School for two years before going on to Harrison College after gaining a scholarship which enabled him to pay the fee at Harrison College of $24 per term. He noted that he had applied for a job as a teacher at a number of the older secondary schools and Combermere offered him a job, though it was temporary and on a termly basis initially. He eventually became deputy headmaster in 1972 and headmaster in 1980/81. In preparation for the post of deputy headmaster and headmaster, Charlie realised that timetabling was a key aspect of the work and he read about it and honed this skill. As an administrator, he had a strong belief in punctuality. His concern regarding punctuality led him to focus on late excuse forms for students as he wanted to emphasise the importance of punctuality.
WHEN DORIEN PILE passed away on August 13, this year, tributes were overflowing with praise for her contribution not only to Combermere School but to the Barbadian society as a whole. This veteran educator was the only female principal of the school throughout its over 300-year history. Combermerians know Pile as one of the few female teachers at Combermere back in the 1970s. She was educated at Queen’s College and taught there from 1960 to 1962, then went on to study at the University of Toronto from 1964 to 1967. On her return, she joined the staff at Combermere as a Geography teacher on September 1, 1967. She served as Deputy Principal from September 1, 1987 to June 21, 1996 when she became principal, a position she held until her retirement on October 13, 2001. She
As a teacher he was CHARLIE PILGRIM fully involved in student (GP) activities. He was a founder member of the Literary and Debating Society, and was also involved with the school’s Photographic Club and the Dramatic Society. He was also, at one stage, Commanding Officer of the No. 3 Company. Professor Keith Sandiford, an old scholar, refers to him in his book Combermere And The Barbadian Society as “by far the most dynamic of recent headmasters”. Combermere’s scouts, cadets and sporting teams performed with more than their usual verve and even the Combermere School Scholars Old Scholars Association (CSOSA) became conspicuously more vigorous in the 1980s than any time before.” Charlie believes that old scholars have always made an invaluable contribution to the school. He himself is a former secretary of the CSOSA but he also noted that old scholars have always responded positively when asked to support a cause such as a destitute student and also whenever a speaker was needed for a special occasion. He is truly one of Combermere’s treasures.
was awarded the Gold Crown Of Merit for her outstanding contribution to society. She was one in a group of outstanding female teachers of her era with people such as Lola Larrier, Pamela Hinkson, Annette Jebodsingh, Marva Lahai, and Janice Mayers, who have helped to mould generations of Combermerians. Though not a student of Combermere, she displayed a fierce loyalty to the school and a passion for its culture. She had a strong belief in the words of the school’s motto and emphasised them at every opportunity: Humanitate, Religione, Industria. In her personal life and in dealings with others, she exemplified this motto. She was dignified and sincere, with a very sharp wit and eloquence to match. Pile was first and foremost an educator and had a very clear vision of what students
DORIEN PILE
(GP)
needed to learn. Her dedication to educating young minds left an indelible mark on her many students. Pile was married to Colvin, himself a Combermerian who also taught at Combermere, and had one son David.