When did the School open?
The Bell Vue Roman Catholic School (also called Belle Vue School) dates back to the nineteenth century. It was established in 1872 when one Mr. Archibald Gerald, a convert to the Roman Catholic faith and owner of the Belle Vue Estate in St. Vincent, gave a portion of estate lands to the Roman Catholic Church. On the portion of land donated were a church, a presbytery and a school.
Where was it located?
The school was located in an area now known as ‘School Hill’ next to the Roman Catholic Church on the Belle Vue Estate. The location commands a breathtaking view of the surrounding countryside and the blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean.
Has it moved to any other locations since then?
The School and Church were destroyed by a hurricane in August of 1886 and were then rebuilt. They were once again destroyed by a hurricane in 1898 and rebuilt and reopened in October of 1899 on the same site. The school and church withstood the eruption of La Soufriere in 1902 and a storm in 1923. The school remained in its original location for sixty-seven years, then in 1939 the wooden church at Belle Vue was relocated to lands at Colonarie owned by the Roman Catholic Church. At this time too, the cornerstone for a new school was laid on those very lands by Father Dom Charles Verbeke, O.S.B.
It closed in the 1930’s and was eventually replaced by the Colonaire Roman Catholic School which opened in 1939.
Head Teachers - The First Head Teacher:
Early records for 1873 show one “Miss Turner” as the “school-mistress” for Belle Vue School. From the records, Miss Turner was presumably the first Head Teacher of the school.
In 1892 the Head Teacher was Miss E. J. Ternan and the Manager Rev. Fr. Giles.
Mr. George Stephens Sr. was the Head Teacher in 1938 and Rev. Fr. Dom Charles Verbeke, O.S.B. served as Manager.
The first students on the school’s roll:
In 1873, the school’s population was 46 pupils: 20 males and 26 females.
The annual Blue Book of 1892 shows that the school’s population had increased to 52.
By 1938, the school’s population had increased to 431 with 237 boys and 194 girls.
The List of schools in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.