McIntosh Era
Llewlyn McIntosh (1998-2008)
Mr. Llewelyn McIntosh joined the teaching staff of Trinity College during 1997, assuming the role of vice-principal. Having served as a dean at his previous place of employment (St. Mary’s College), his administrative and leadership skills were ripe for the Trinity student body which stood to benefit from greater levels of discipline, structure and organization. (Word was that St. Mary’s students were quite happy for us to have him.) Even before formally assuming the mantle of principal in roughly one year, “Tosh” as he was unofficially known set the tone from the outset. He was Mr. McIntosh not “Short Pants” or even “Mr. Short Pants” as some precocious but naïve students found out to their dismay.
He was a stickler for punctuality, regularity, uniformity and decorum. He was prepared to be unpopular with students if he felt that he was doing the right or principled thing. A fifth form class that felt it necessary to ransack the school library forfeited their right to a school-sponsored graduation party. Another fifth form class that expressed their artistic talents on the walls of the school bathroom was made to participate in the clean-up exercise as a prerequisite to be considered for sixth form.
Although the punishments were legendary in their extremity, it should not be forgotten that he had a particularly unique sense of humour. He was not above cracking the occasional stale joke often delivered with comical facial expressions and generous stroking of the beard. He also was capable of engaging in reasonably friendly banter with students and showed particular fortitude in accepting his dose of “fatigue” particularly in the aftermath of his extempo performances. Notwithstanding, he always commanded respect from the students and like many teachers of old had that uncanny ability to appear out of nowhere suddenly to catch you red-handed in mischief. “The ghost” was practically omnipresent - you couldn’t afford to make a wrong move without him knowing or eventually finding out.
A strong believer in building the school community, he was instrumental in reviving the annual Trinity College talent show which continues to this day. He helped to reignite a strong fundraising culture in the College often by way of establishing unique events including “Kaiso in yuh Pweffem.” He also was a strong believer in tangibly rewarding good performance by students, scholastic or otherwise, often giving monetary prizes for excellence.
After approximately ten (10) years at the helm of the College, Mr. McIntosh moved on.