Tribute to Diane Browne
2011 Commonwealth Award-winning Writer, SAHS Grad & former SAHS Teacher
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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.
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| 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'.
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| Picture submitted from Dorothy Levy nee Kew at SAHS Prize-giving |
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| 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
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| 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----------------------------------------
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"
