The farewell banquet for Father Ronald Branche was held at a time when the territory is paying special attention to literacy, which is key to education, and so when Leader of the Opposition Honourable Julian Fraser, RA (R3) gave his remarks, the important role played by Father Branche in the Virgin Islands education system, was aptly highlighted. Photo: VINO

The farewell banquet held at Maria’s By the Sea on September 19, 2015 was the territory’s way of saying thanks to Father Branche and his wife Mrs Heather Branche for their thirteen years of service. Photo: VINO

Father Ronald Branche has been credited with helping to establish the St George's Secondary School and strengthening the Primary Division. Photo: VINO

Father Branche addressing youth basketball players at the Belle Vue Gym in 2011. Photo: VINO/File

“You sir have put St Georges back on the map of churches here in the Virgin Islands. In the area of education, you have expanded the primary division of your school and definitely enhanced the learning experience there,” said Hon Fraser.

The farewell banquet held at Maria’s By the Sea on September 19, 2015 was the territory’s way of saying thanks to Father Branche and his wife Mrs Heather Branche for their thirteen years of service.

Father Branch was credited for building the secondary division of the St Georges School from scratch. “No one can argue this with me, for I have seen you take two abandoned barn style workshops: one a mechanic shop and the other a wood work shop right in my neighborhood, and transformed them into one of the territory's top high schools,” recalled Hon Fraser.

He said while persons would say that these things were already in their planning phases, no offense to the planners, he has seen many plans vanished in dust.

Separation of church & politics

Hon Fraser was keen to not that Father Branche was very good at separating politics from religion. “You have been successful in holding St Georges together over your 13 years of service, for not once have I heard of any political dissension in the vestry. As a matter of fact you are so well loved that 2 years ago when it was rumoured that you were leaving, you found out soon enough that no one, not only at St Georges but in the Virgin Islands, was prepared for it.”

Premier and Minister of Finance Dr The Honourable D. Orlando Smith also hailed Father Branche’s contributions to the education system of the territory when he said in printed tribute, “In the Education field, Father Branche understood the importance of nurturing and shaping the next generation of our society. In this regard he was pivotal in the establishment of the St George’s Secondary School whose students continue to perform well each year.”

Minister for Education Honourable Myron V. Walwyn said, “Under your (Father Branche) leadership the St Georges Primary school continuously produced top achievers and the school has been a model for other institutions to emulate.”

Chairman of the Board of the St Georges Schools Mr Gerard St. C. Farara, QC also alluded to Father Branche’s accomplishments in the education system in the Virgin Islands due to his work at both the St Georges Secondary and Primary Schools.

In his printed tribute Mr Farara said, “It has been a great pleasure for me to be aligned with Cannon Branche, particularly in our work to establish a new secondary school and to put it on a sustained footing for the future. This process, which has been ongoing throughout the 13 years that the Branche’s have lived among us in the BVI, has not been without its many challenges.”

According to Mr Farara, they have collectively with the assistance of the Board worked through and met the challenges successfully, not least of which has been the financial challenges associated with the establishing and operating a private secondary school.

“The establishment of the Secondary School and the expansion to the Primary School infrastructure has underscored and deepened the Church’s commitment to education in the territory and to providing a high standard of education as we collectively strive for excellence,” said Mr Farara.