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| Welcome to the first Bi-Annual Newsletter |
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Welcome to the first edition of our bi-annual newsletter. since the creation of the JUSSAA in 2008 a committee of 6 have been working on a number of projects which have been initiated whilst slowly spreading the word and building up its database of alumni from around the world.
Aiming to build a link between old and current students with a scope of 'giving back to school'. all old students contacted have shown a keen enthusiasm at providing their knowhow, expertise, time and resources in ways which would add value to the students or staff members.
No registration or membership fee is required as we wish to keep it running on donations and contributions. we do believe that any contribution is of value so please do come forward and join our efforts in the spirit that has 'lifted up our hearts' and guided us in our lives since. |
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| Memories.. |
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In Photo:Keith Johnson, Bryan Wilkins, Gary Spitzel, Doug Harbert, Van Worman
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Here is a picture of the gang from our most recent Cyprus reunion. It was held in Falls Church, Virginia, at Keith's house. As always, we had a wonderful time.
You know, every time we get together we learn something new about our shared past, and it is something more to cherish! We have tentatively decided to visit Cyprus in 2011, and will spend 2010 tweaking and refining our plans. We can't wait!
From Van |
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| Memory 1 |
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Things were different in 1963. Moving around was restricted, and so I do recall a couple of incidences within 50 metres of #7 Kronos Street, in Ayios Dhometios of where I lived. My next door neighbor Hombis and bride Loulou was married in the late summer of 1963. Wedding plans were put into action; people from his village as well as relatives participated in preparation for this festive occasion. I stood on our balcony as one of his relatives slaughtered two goat kids and buried the entrails in Hombis's garden. I must say, their meat was quite tasty! When "the troubles" started in December in earnest, Hombis, who was in the Greek National Guard, was literally dragged from his house next door to ours and "called to active duty". I never saw him again, and Loulou was crying and screaming as his NCO's dragged him from his side door late at night. I hope he never had to fight.
Another guy Christakis Papaloizou, who lived opposite, was a pharmaceutical importer. He was visited many nights by the Greek National Guard, for " Medications" from his warehouse located at the back of his house. His dream was to flee with his family to the U.K. Don't know what happened, but his son, Pantis, still lives in Cyprus in the Prodhromos area. Never got in touch though. I have hosted a Junior School Reunion on my farm for 3 years, and last year my "Cyprus Posse" helped Ginger and I celebrate our 40th anniversary and my retirement from Safeway. We partied most of the day and Keith's band, THE SPARKPLUGS, provided the entertainment that night. Everything was perfect that day, and we rocked on until the wee hours of the night.
I hope that we can all return to Cyprus in the next year, see everyone, and catch up on old times, as one thing is for sure: WE AIN'T GETTING ANY YOUNGER! Cheers and love to all.
Van Worman
Cedar Lane Farm
Midland, Virginia
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| Memory 2 |
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Thank you for your quick response, Yianna. I greatly appreciate it and I eagerly look foward to the future updates that you reference below. I am also pleased to hear of the good work of the JUSSAA & the intent of establishing an on-site Archive area at the school. Please find my willingness to contribute with any funds in making this happen.
My years there, 1961-64 were several of the very best years of my life. The education I received was better than I ever received in any American school here in the USA. My memories are dear and will never die. So again ... thank you for your fine work in this regard. You are blessed to be so close to the wonderful education and experiences being provided at the Junior School. Never forget that! |
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| Memory 3 |
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Hello,
I am trying to trace my past and know that I went to a school in Nicosia which I think was called The Junior School.
This would have been sometime between 1955 and 1958. My friends at the time were Gabriel Pietroni, Mark Cox? and Janet Brown if my memory serves me correct.
I have very fond memories of my school days in Nicosia.
I wonder if you could help please. My father, now passed away was in the RAF at the time.
I now live in Australia.
Kind regards,
Peter J Harding
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| Memory 4 |
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I remember a little about my days at The Junior School. I recall playing football on a pitch near the school buildings, making a model petrol station out of pieces of wood, and another time meeting with school mates Gabriel Pietroni and Mark/Martin Cox and a girl named Janet Brown, and chatting about who likes who!! At one time I got 100% in an arithmetic test of which my father was very proud and at some time doing a project on the Doomsday Book.
I remember being a Cub and proudly wearing the green uniform and trying to pass as many tests as I could to get badges on the sleeve of my uniform. I remember waiting in a corridor to be given my Cub uniform and when it came to trying on the cap I remember Akela saying it looked like a pee on a drum, either the cap was too small or I my head was too big for the cap!
A very vivid memory I remember participating in the school play. It was about a pinic with the secret ingredients. Actually it was fun. Silly what one remembers from such a long time ago, Though I do remember quite a lot about Cyprus during the time I was there.
This was in 1955/1956 I think, when I was 7/8 years old |
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| Micro Agori |
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I am the micro agori on the aristera when my grand parents and aunt Maria visited us in 1959. I love Ellada. I love Kypros, too! I have had this photo for many years, under my bed! |
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| Memory 7 |
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I have several times, googled for information on the Junior School, but never could find anything. The last time I tried, I knew I had finally found it – there was a photograph of the school hall with the balcony. It did not look any different to how it looked in 1954!!
I have always had great memories of the school. Instead of writing an essay to you thought I would jot down some quick memories
1. I was there from January 1954 until April 1956.
2. I still have all my report cards – all signed by the Headmaster Mr. Harrison
3. In summer as there was no air conditioning it was so hot we only had school for half of the day.
4. The grounds did not have any grass – it was sandy dirt. We use to play rounders or do PE
5. Initially school dinners were served because the boarders ate lunch at the school, but then it was decided that the boarders would eat at their house so school dinners were discontinued. For some reason, curry was served on Tuesdays – none of us liked it because it was too spicy – there was a choice of red curry and green curry.
6. The school hall was used every morning for assembly. At Christmas time, there would be carol singing – with pupils up on the balcony. Also in 1955 we did a Christmas Play which had several performances. I had a small speaking part in it.
7. I am still in touch with my best friend who I met on my first day at the school. She was from New Zealand, and I was from England. When she married she moved to Australia and I have visited with her there. We still write to each other every Christmas.
8. I still have my class photograph – it was so great because it was such an international class – we were from all over – New Zealand, English, Greek, Turkish, Cypriot, American.
9. Educationally we were very advanced. When I returned to England I discovered I was at least a year ahead of my class at my new school.
10. During the troubles, we use to get calls telling us there were going to be riots, and so we had leave school early – it always seemed to be on a Tuesday afternoon, when we had craft projects!
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Architectural Features of the Junior School
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A professional photographer was invited to the school in july of 2008 when the initial renovation project was about to commence, to capture architectural features of the junior school which were to be altered with the plans of the then renovation project.
The photos where exhibited both at the entrance of the old building of the junior school and at this years christmas Basaar. soon they will be part of a larger exhibition which will include various other items from the old junior school building. |
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| Graduates Book |
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Our second project is the Graduates Book 2009-2010. Our dedicated committee of graduates' mothers spent time & effect collecting photos and event details from the graduating class 2009-2010. This collage was created by Maria Demetriou of JUSSAA and Frixos.
JUSSAA has decided to undertake this immensely successful project every year.
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| Projects that JUSSAA is planning to undertake.. |
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Glyn Hughes Project
Artist Glyn Hughes who worked 35yrs at the Junior school will create pieces of art from the rumble of the renovated building.
Micromania Project
The work will envolve and arena for statebording/rollerblading & a Cycling Club. His sponsoring will prove essential.
Mr. Bosustow Project
This will involve a handwritten textbook of all his time at the school and the history of the JS – With more teachers invited, as Mrs. Damstas, Mrs. Hadjinicola, Mrs. Heather Themi. to contribute with their memories of the school. Final confirmation of this book will be taken by Marina Christofides, who will make it into something readable and sellable…
Rosey Simonds Project
Executive Director of Peace Child International is an alumni – contacted her – very keen to come and talk about all they do etc which could benefit JS and SS – fascinating project – see website www.peacechild.org
Doctors hit the JS/SS Project
Dr. Christian Fessas, as a reconstructive plastic surgeon who has seen many terrible injuries caused by fireworks, came to educate the older students about these dangers. Students were shown graphic images illustrating the extent of the damage inflicted by careless use of fireworks. During a speech, Dr. Fessas explained in detail both the academic requirements and the dedicated commitment necessary to be successful.
Archive project
Johnathan Griffin has been contacted, an alumni – Museum Director in US to help in guiding us through this project. Potentially have 2 brothers one of which is Douglas Harbert (US) here in the 50's and very loyal/sentimental about JUSSAA.
Haig Assadourian Project
Hobby in fish keeping/reptile keeping to give a small talk to students
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| Presentation on emotional intelligence to junior school staff |
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A further initiative of the JUSSAA is to invite old students of the Junior School was to offer talks of interest, seminars or other recreational activities for the members of staff and students of both the Junior and Senior School - we were pleased to introduce a presentation by Petasis Associates (Management Consultants) Ltd on
Emotional Intelligence which was delivered On Wednesday 22nd of October 2008 at 2pm in the Junior School Hall Petasis Associates (Management Consultants) Ltd.
Dr. Aris Petasis who served as Junior School PTA Chairman in the 1980's and is a parent of two Junior School alumni was invited to lead a one-hour seminar on Emotional Intelligence (EI) which was addressed to the Junior School and Senior School staff members. The seminar focused around the importance of EI in the work place and more importantly in a school setting with a heavy concentration of students, teachers, support staff and parents that one needs to communicate with and to relate at a human level. A valuable question/answer session followed.
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| The parenting and child development group |
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A highly successful and empowering event the JUSSAA set up in 2009 was The Parenting and Child Development Group. The scope of these meetings are to share with other parents within the group common issues which they are faced with. Normally the age groups covered are of a junior school age (3-12 years old).
Meetings are held every first Wednesday of each month at the Junior School Hall and ran for approximately 2 hours. Psychologists and Parents at the School – Najwa Solomis and Stavria Thalassi is kindly volunteering to offer to run these groups on a regular basis – whilst remaining open to inviting various guest speakers with specialties in areas of interest.
New parents are always welcomed to join our group, where an interactive approach is practiced when discussing a topic of interest. The 2 Psychologists initiated the meeting by providing insight on the topic which are discussed and then the conversation opens up for parents to share in their experiences.
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