Elmore Stoutt shares big dreams for ESHS
Many stalwarts never live to see buildings erected in their honour and perhaps that’s why long-time educator Elmore Stoutt beamed with pride and humility as he shared in the grand ceremony that marked the reopening of the Elmore Stoutt High School (ESHS).
Tuesday, January 3, ESHS — the largest and oldest high school in the territory — was officially handed over to administrators and students; five years after it was destroyed by two major hurricanes that hit the territory. The redevelopment was valued at some $14.2 million.
Stoutt shared with BVI News some of the hopes he has for the institution that has impacted the lives of many Virgin Islanders. He said he wants the school to be properly maintained from now on and like the true disciplinarian he is — he wants students to exemplify good manners and acceptable behaviours.
“I want to see administrative structures put in place to cause change to happen. It is important that it grows from strength to strength. One of the things I would like to see is an Assembly Hall or something like that so they (students) can be comfortable when they come and the attention span will not be lacking,” Stoutt told BVI News.
He also told our news centre that he is honoured to be the namesake of a national institution — something he never expected.
“It’s a special honour, I never thought in my whole life that something like this would happen. But it happened and I appreciate it,” Stoutt said.
Mr Stoutt is known as a community builder, and for more than fifty years, he has been involved in the advancement of young people. He has also played an important role in many aspects of community development.
He began his teaching career in 1959 at the age of 14 as a Pupil Teacher at the West End School. Following completion of his teacher’s training at the Leeward Islands Teacher Training College in 1969, he served as head teacher at a number of schools on Tortola.
Further training at the University of the West Indies and at Murray House College and the University of Hull in the UK led him to the Department of Education and Culture where he worked in Guidance Counselling and Education Management, and also as Truancy Officer.
He returned to active teaching and served 18 years as principal of the BVI High School, which has been renamed the Elmore Stoutt High School in his honour.
His contributions in the field of education, as a teacher, principal, truancy officer and programme administrator have been outstanding. Furthermore, Mr Stoutt has been, and still is, a major player in the preservation of Virgin Islands culture through music and storytelling.
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BOSS is the man. He is a living Legend and should be regarded as a modern day HERO in our islands
Mr. Stoutt reminds me of the principal on “Lean on Me” but with a much calmer mannerism.
Mr. Stoutt was a principal who cared about the students. He knew each student by their name or who their parents were. We could not get away with doing any wrong as that would be the cause of a mini lecture session (great lectures by the way). Those lectures have helped to mold many of us into the lawyers, doctors, teachers, entrepreneurs that we are today. He would walk around the campus at random times, peep into the classrooms while classes were in session just to greet the teacher and students; sometimes he noticed a student or two not paying attention at which time he would get your attention and get you to refocus on the lesson.
Mr. Stoutt God bless you and thank you for your years of service to the Community.
This is beautiful
Elmore stoutt is a BVI legend. I am glad that finally Fahie and his team fixed the L-shaped building and now construct these new beautiful buildings to start to have the campus reflect the name of this powerful man. Well done by all.
Now I feel motivated to work even harder being finally placed in a better working environment.
God bless you, Stoutty
Fun Fact: It was because of Cereen Dascent’s (a contestant of the 2004 or 2005 Mr. and Mrs. 5th Form Pageant) calypso performance was the catalyst of this change.
I remember the scale ruler back in the day, who went to school when he was in charge know what i mean. Kept us in line congratulations to you Stoutty.
My former principal for all of my five years at BVIHS. Without a doubt, deserves every accolade bestowed upon him.
Gives me goosebumps just thinking about how great a principal he was. He is truly an honorable man. May God continue to bless you Mr. Stoutt. You made a mark.
CAN WHAT YOU CAN WHILE YOU CAN…………….yes Mr. Stoutt, I am applying those words, THANKS
Mr Stoutt wasnt just the principal, he was more to some of the students. He was a father, counselor, confidant and all the other things that the other commentors mentioned. I remember seeing him walking up lower estate making sure that the “straggelers” made it to school. Everything said here about this awesome man…is real and true. Thank you Mr Stoutt!
Error ment to give the up thumb
Has he been honoured by the Enlish monarchy?? If so that is long overdue and he is well deserving?