At a simple ceremony last Friday (4th December 2015) the Dominica Grammar School (DGS) said farewell to Specialist and Graduate teacher Denise James, who had served that institution for 35 years, from 1980 to 2015. During that period she taught mainly Food and Nutrition but also Home Management, Social Studies and Integrated Science.

Students of 3rd, 4th and 5th Forms and a number of teachers attended the farewell ceremony.

Principal Alicia Jean Jacques said Mrs. James was one of the teachers at the DGS who had a thorough command of her subject and was selfless in her devotion to the education of the students. James served the DGS with distinction, Jean Jacques said.

"Did I regret staying at the Dominica Grammar School for 35 years?" James asked. "I am telling you I have absolutely no regrets."

She said she "grew up" at the DGS having entered the institution in 1980 just after Hurricane David devastated Dominica in August 1979.

"When I came to the Dominica Grammar School I was just 24 years old. I was just developing, I was just maturing," she said. "I stayed here with so many students, so many teachers, students who became teachers with me as I grew."

Mrs. James said it was relationships rather than the physical structure of a school that creates lasting memories.

Students and teachers presented Mrs. James with flowers and plaque on which the words "For your excellent contribution to education at the Dominica Grammar School- 1980 to 2015" were inscribed.