The St. Simon’s Basic School
At each regular meeting of
the Lodge the W.M. makes the following announcement during the third rising.
“At Moore Keys we collect a special charity which is donated to the St.
Simon’s Basic School to assist in their breakfast feeding performance.
Visitors are not obliged to contribute but all contributions will be thankfully
received and faithfully applied”. This announcement was first made
in 1983 when the Lodge, under the leadership of W. Bro. Maurice J. Stoppi,
cheerfully embraced the opportunity, presented on behalf of the St. Luke’s
Church by W. Bro. Major General Rudolph Green, to demonstrate the virtue
of charity.
The school is located at
12, Penn Street in Jones Town and has since 1967 provided instruction in
the three Rs to the 4 – 6 age group of the community under the sponsorship
of St. Luke’s Church. It has an enrolment of one hundred and forty-one
pupils, is staffed by a Head Teacher, five teachers and three auxiliaries
and is supported by funds derived from the St. Luke’s Church Meal Appeal,
an annual brunch, grants and donations.
At the end of each Christmas term the Lodge sponsors a treat
to which the brethren of the Moore Keys Association make a valuable contribution
by providing toys, school supplies and cash which assists the staff in
defraying the expenses of an outing to a rural parish. The Lodge
is especially grateful to a member, W. Bro. Anthony Clarkson, who on his
installation in the chair of the Barnes Lodge (UK) in 1992 donated the
entire proceeds of his Master List to be held in trust for the benefit
of the school. The capital sum has been invested through Freemason’s
Association Jamaica Limited and the income is disposed of consistent with
the Brother’s wishes by providing the school with equipment and in maintaining
the building.
The aforementioned
Christmas threat is a high point in the Lodge’s calendar and on the appointed
day the brethren who are able visit the school in their role as assistants
to Santa Claus under the leadership of W. Bros. Stoppi and Annamunthodo.
The children look forward with eager anticipation to this event and are
always greatly delighted to receive W. Bro. Salmon ‘s dependable supply
of used tennis balls.
To mark the Centenary of
the Lodge, W. Bro. Rudolph Green suggested the establishment of a Scholarship
fund to benefit a deserving graduate in the quest to acquire the advantage
of education. W. Bro. Dr. Michael Banbury, W. M., suggested that
the Lodge sponsor an annual golf tournament for the purpose of raising
the necessary funds and this idea was adopted Bro. William Tavares-Finson
was entrusted with the responsibility of staging the first tournament in
November 1996 and is to be commended for his efforts. In consequence
we are pleased to announce that Refiqula Kennedy was selected as the first
recipient of the scholarship.
The brethren of the
Lodge are ever mindful of the needs of others and are committed to going
the length of their cable tow in order to give expression to this awareness
as is evidenced by their generous contribution at regular meetings and
to the Christmas treat. The children and the sponsors are appreciative
of our efforts and we seize this opportunity to express our gratitude to
all our visitors who have contributed generously to our special charity
project.
W. Br. Lawton C. Heywood, P.M.
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