One day some Berkeley boys came to school.

The put on their blinds looking oh so cool

Silly them they had broken the rule

So they found themselves visiting RKH after school.

Reflecting back on Berkeley days always seems to bring a mixture of memories. Reminiscing on lifelong friendships formed and cemented. Thinking back on football or netball scores during lunchtime or even remembering which teachers were strict, or not so strict.

In remembering teachers we remember the lessons that they taught or the way that they taught. You recall all of these things vividly.

Then it hits you that you probably never told any of these teachers thank you for their lifelong sacrifices, for the investment that they poured into each one of their hundreds of students. There is simply no possible way that any of us can imagine the decades of dedication that our teachers at the Berkeley Institute have put in.

Many of Sinclair Washington’s former colleagues turned out for a recent celebration of the life of the veteran Berkeley teacher.

Joan Blades, Carol Richardson née Burrows, Marva Allen, Sinclair Smith and Glen Fubler were among them. Without a doubt, such a stellar line-up would not be complete without the maestro, Robert Horton aka RKH.

For a minute, when I saw all of these teachers in one spot I did a quick uniform check to ensure I was dressed properly.

Looking at them, I could almost recall how many times each one either told my parents “Christopher can do better” or, at their wits’ end, sent me to the office to have yet another conversation with RKH.

After six years of Berkeley I swore to myself the last I would ever have to see them would be on graduation day.

With Bermuda as small as it is that plan did not quite work out.

So standing there on that day the memories came rushing back. Even more pronounced was the realisation that I never once told any of them thank you for their years of service.

So, to the teachers of the Berkeley Institute, I wish to say thank you for all that you have done to shape a better Bermuda

Perhaps I, along with many others, will get to say it in person on Saturday, April 8. at the annual Berkeley Institute Green and Gold Ball at the Hamilton Princess.

There, hundreds of Berkeleyites spanning multiple generations will gather for yet another round of Green v Gold rivalry. The house with the highest attendance will get a trophy and bragging rights for an entire year.

We are looking forward to seeing many of those teachers attending.