"This Occasion Calls for a Speech!"

Tribute to Diane Browne

2011 Commonwealth Award-winning Writer, SAHS Grad & former SAHS Teacher

Dorothy Pine-McLarty (Mikki), Diane Browne and Marguerite Curtin - '09 SAOGA Valentine Lunch

"I think we all recognize that this moment is special and we want to thank Marjorie and Alister for bringing us together so quickly to celebrate Diane’s Commonwealth award for children’s short story writing.  It is a mystical magical moment which we are sharing with her which we shall never forget. 

The award has been the catalyst, calling us to consciously recognize and honour her for a lifetime of commitment to her work and passion as a writer and editor of children’s literature.

Indeed, the choice of Diane validates the competency of the Commonwealth Award committee in selecting her -  little did it know that the anonymous Marguerite Browne was none other than an educator who has been the cornerstone in the development of reading material for Jamaican children, including several Government projects. 

She is also the advocate for a large voiceless section of the Jamaican population – the children.  Through her spunky, brave little characters she voices the perplexity and fears of the child in bewildering, if not hostile circumstances and helps her readers come to grips with their own dilemmas and to attempt to understand, and often  resolve them. 

Diane signing her book, The Ring and the Roaring Water, for a young patron

We have seen Diane grow from a writer gingerly testing each step of her way, honing her gift and blossoming into the confident and competent author/consultant that she is today. 

SAHS Teacher, Diane Aiken Browne, in the 1960s

An important part of her long journey took place in the late 1970s at the Ministry of Education, when an OAS pilot reading project, initiated by Jeff Schatzman, employed three writers to work on 34 books for primary schools. The writers were Peggy Henry, who unfortunately died not long after the completion of the project, Carl Phillpotts, who   migrated to America in the 1980s, and Diane. Since then, steadily and persistently she has continued to create in spite of all   challenges – she has even mastered the art of working with and alongside the bureaucracy and surviving!

As we know, she has won gold medals in JCDC Festival competitions and has been honoured with a Musgrave medal and now we celebrate with her this Commonwealth Award and ask ourselves, how we as a group, can help  to further and bring to the attention of the nation the important work which Diane has been quietly doing for a long time."  by Marguerite Curtin (former SAHS Teacher)  - Sept. 23, 2011

SAHS Family News 

Canadian Award: Dorothy Kew nee Levy 

This proud SAHS alumnus was nominated for the Senior Achievement Award from the 

Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration by colleagues at work with supporting testimonials from other 

colleagues in the heritage community in Mississauga. You can click here to find out more 

about the award.

Dorothy Kew, Source: My Jamaican Family

 Dorothy was born in Jamaica and attended St Andrew High School as Dorothy Levy, 
between 1944 and 1952. Her resume includes being a graduate of the Library Techniques 

Programme at Sheridan College of Applied Arts and Technology, Oakville, Ontario, a 
B.A. (Hons.) from the University of Toronto, and a Master's degree in Library and 
Information Science from the University of Western Ontario.  Kew worked in the 
Mississauga Library System (Ontario) for over 30 years and is currently a part-time, 

Local History Librarian. As part of her duties she works on the City of Mississauga's

 Historic Images Gallery and cooperate with the various heritage partners in Mississauga.  

Dorothy has been involved in genealogical research for over 20 years and served in various 

capacities, including the Chair, of the Halton-Peel Branch of the Ontario Genealogical Society.

Several presentations on researching one's Jamaican ancestry from Canada has been done and helped many people find their Jamaican roots. 'My Jamaican Family' is her personal blog that explores Jamaican roots and the history of Jamaica. Dorothy is to be congratulated on the award she is to receive in November 2011 by the Canadian government regarding 'Researching your Jamaican Ancestry from Canada'. 

Picture submitted from Dorothy Levy nee Kew at SAHS Prize-giving

1951 Prefects with Miss Gartshore, Picture from Dorothy Kew nee Levy (R-L, 2nd student)

First Row:

Betsy Davis, Hermine Mitchell, Carole Smith, Miss Gartshore, Kathleen Barry, Dorothy Levy, Sadie Walsh.

Second row:

Marjorie Chevannes, Margaret Streadwick, Jean Mair, Pamela Ann Richards, Ruth Chen, Auvril Henry Back Row: Celia Ross, Selma Ebanks, June Lewis

2011 Picture of Hermine Bingham (nee Mitchell). 

Every Old Girl (OG) remembers that those steps (noted in the photograph) were 'out of bounds' for students and so many have returned to take pictures on the steps to show that they are “big girls” now.

On the occasion of Hermine's 2011 visit to her alma mater, she shared "I was very impressed with the progress of the school, the expansion with new buildings, and especially the garden and gazebo where students can go for reading and relaxation. The buildings honouring so many former staff I believe to be a fitting tribute.  Many of us past students in the Toronto area are in touch and meet quite frequently."  

Other SAHS News

• Condolences: Old Girl from the early 70's Anna Kay Harrison (Image Factory Ltd) lost her mother, Barbara Fay Harrison nee Hilton, last Friday. She was also an Old Girl of St. Andrew High and St. Hilda's in Jamaica. We offer our deepest condolences to the Harrison family.

We welcome ideas, suggestions and thrive on feedback. Drop us a line, we would love to hear from you!

The Emrie James Museum

Mrs. Margaret Reckord Bernal, The Curator
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06/Oct @8p.m: St. Andrew Old Girls' Association (SAOGA) - A Gift for Mom play ft. Regina Beavers (support our SAHS sister) 

Venue: The Little Theatre, 1 Tom Redcam Ave, Kgn 5.

23/Oct @5:30p.m: Parents Teachers Association An Evening of Culture
Venue: Little Theatre, 1 Tom Redcam Ave, Kgn 5.

31/Oct @4p.m: St. Andrew Old Girls' Association (SAOGA) - The Saint Awards - Last day for nominations. Please contact Karen Henry, Selection Committee Chair, directly at: kmonique64@hotmail.com [Note: Authorization has been given to post her personal email].

02/Nov @8a.m - 2:00p.m: St. Andrew High School (SAHS)- 

Gartshore Cup Competition (Home Economics) 

Venue: 10 Cecelio Ave, Kgn 10.

Would you like to advertise a SAHS event, locally or internationally? E-mail: sahsmuseum@gmail.com with subject "SAHS Family Events"