Lt-Governor sees past and future of college

THE Lt-Governor, Lt General Richard Cripwell marked his first visit to Elizabeth College with the surprise presentation of a rare reward.

The Lt-Governor, Lt General Richard Cripwell enjoyed a hot drinks and brownies in the refectory after his tour of Elizabeth College. Joining him and his secretary Major Marco Ciotti, right, were Jonathan Vickers, 17, left, and Joshua Merrien, 18. (Pictures by Luke Le Prevost, 31685833)

During the trip, organised to familiarise himself with the island’s oldest school, he was taken on a guided tour where he was able to see the 197-year-old main building and speak to students and teachers.

‘What has struck me the most is how there is the opportunity to do so much. There is also a great sense of history and you become part of a tradition that you and many others have been a part of,’ said Lt General Cripwell.

He was also shown the range of resources on offer throughout the premises and a preview of the new sixth form centre, which will be finished in the next few weeks.

‘It’s been really fascinating to see all the areas and not just the old. There is a clear energy about the facilities which shows how the school is developing for the future,’ said Lt General Cripwell.

Following the tour, the Lt-Governor was able to sit in the refectory with five sixth-formers and chat about what the upcoming years may bring in all levels of life.

Student William Beasley, 17, correctly identified the Lt Governor’s cufflinks had the flag of the British Ocean Territory on them and was presented with his personal challenge coin, an ancient military tradition. (31685845)

Topics such as GST, climate change and inter-island relations were at the forefront of discussions, with Lt General Cripwell imparting some words of wisdom to the students.

‘The future is as soon as you want it to be,’ he said.

However, soon after hearing from Lt General Cripwell it was the turn of the students to show their knowledge, as the puzzling flag on his cufflinks was questioned.

Confident that no-one would pick up on its location, he put it to the group, only to receive an immediate reply from Year 13 student William Beasley with the correct answer of British Ocean Territory, a group of uninhabited islands that is home to the US naval base on the island of Diego Garcia.

As a prize for picking this up, Lt-General Cripwell presented William with a personal challenge coin, a military tradition dating back to the Roman era to honour the actions of the recipient.

The gold coin is designed with the Guernsey coat of arms on top of the Union flag with the words, His Excellency The Lieutenant Governor engraved around the outside.