As I stated before most of our young people of the village in the past attended Central School a name given when four former primary schools throughout the village amalgamated. They were the Till’s Hill School under Miss Matilda Crawford, Central School under Miss Edith Crawford, The Silk House under Louisa Williams, and North Village under Rev. Rufus Stovell. The school was built by Mr. Rufus Simmons. There were excellent teacher who came to Bermuda from the Caribbean Islands. They were stern and devoted to the students making sure we were well dressed in uniform and adhering to our studies.
The school itself had the record for having some of the best students in Athletics and academics this is well noted when one looks at persons that have made up the fabric of Bermuda is many fields, as Teacher, Doctors Lawyers, Police Officers, Ministers, Musicians. Authors, and more. They were also noted for having some of the toughest students. Situated on Parsons road/St, Augustine’s Hill (Smith’s Hill) from one side and Pond Hill (Glebe Road) on the other and directly across from the Island Pond (Garbage Dump) where all the waste from the city and surrounding area was dumped. It was surrounded by ditches and housed many dogs. On days when the wind would be blowing West class windows were closed down to avoid the smoke from flowing into the class rooms. If it was A Monday normally wash day all the neighbours would be rushing out to pull in white sheets and school blouses and shirts. In spite of all these that would be considered obstacles it didn’t hinder the concentration of the students.
Many of the students that attended there have become notable personalities in Bermuda. No matter their esteem status they were given the nick name of Pond Dog. Why? because of the many pups that were birth in the Pond embracing the boundary of the school and that were lots of time rescued and taken home as personal pets. At one point it may have been an embarrassment but in later years most of those of us who definitely lived in the Pond Hill – Glebe Road, North Village- Smith’s Hill area claimed it like a badge of honour. In viewing many of the Historical Bios I have put on my other site Bermudian HeritageMuseum which is now also recorded as Bermudapastourheritage you will read of the many that attended Central School (Victor Scott School). Thanks to them all for they have done the school the village and the Island proud.
By Joy Wilson -Tucker Former Student
Site Title The North Village Griot 