History of BHSAA Toronto

·The Bishops’ High School was founded in 1870  by the Anglican Church in Georgetown, Guyana (formerly British Guiana).

·       From a conversation among 5 women one Sunday afternoon In July 1985, three alumni decided to bring together alumni to assist the School in Georgetown.  Those three women were Aileen Morgan,  Patricia Moore and Lynette Spence.

·        Calls were made; first meeting held on July 28, 1985.

·        Conversation about life, family, jobs, money, fulfillment …. Serious subjects …. More calls

·        Group meets for the second time on November 17th.

·        In 2 short years grew from 5 to hosting a 3-day International Reunion of 500 in Summer 1987 – July 24, 25, 26.

·        Calling committee gets to work.

·        Then come activities:  dances, bake sales, Christmas/Mothers’Day brunches.

·        Money goes to computers, books, furniture, supplies for alma mater.

·    Publication of a Newsletter – The School Tie through to …

·        1995 – 10th  anniversary

·        Since 1995,hosted the annual May Hatters’ Tea Party.

In 1997 initiated the annual bursary program to honour the achievement of children of BHS alumni and students of Guyanese Canadian community to pursue post-secondary studies. 59 recipients as of 2024.

Break new ground with Interactive Volunteer Program ; collaborative events with other alumni associations .

1995 to 2023 co-developed Last Lap Lime - one of the largest annual Guyanese community festivals in North America - with Queen’s College, St. Roses’, St. Joseph’s and St. Stanislaus Alumni Associations .

Since 2000 co-hosted the annual Twelfth Night Dinner & Dance with the Queen’s College Alumni Association. .

1997 - Incorporated as a non-profit organization in Ontario.

·        In 2000s – Establishment, maintenance and continual upgrade of a computer lab at alma mater through to 2020.

Circle of Support in 2003 to provide assistance for alumni and Guyanese seniors particularly during illness and bereavement ; social events to bring “Christmas Cheer.”

·        20th anniversary in 2005.

·        BHSAA hosts the eighth International Alumni Reunion in Toronto in 2008.

To maintaining our love for singing, established the BHS Singers to perform Guyanese folk and national songs at various community events. In 2013, the BHS Singers joined with alumni of the St. Rose’s Alumni Association to form the Bishops’/St. Rose’s Alumni Ensemble for an inaugural performance at the ENOWAH’s Reaching Out Thro’ Music Concert. 

In 2014, the Ensemble, with other BHS alumni, produced a CD entitled, Memories in Song in honour of the BHS Alumni International Reunion in Hauppauge,Long Island, NY.

Contributions to BHS

Annual contributions to the School’s Lunch Program since …

Individual Alumni contributions to the School’s Lunch Program and special Transportation Appeal

  Floor Model Photocopier

Sports Stacking Cups

In 2021 the inaugural memorial bursary - the Ardyne Symmone Merrie Lee Award of Excellence sponsored by the Lee family for BHS alumni entering post-secondary studies in Mathematics or Mathematics-based Program at the University of Guyana. Three (3) recipients as of 2024.

 Provided volunteer teacher-administrators for a Saturday Morning Mentorship Program initiated by the Youth Arm of the Alliance of Guyanese Canadian Organizations from … to …?

  Established a long-standing working relationship with the Guyana Consulate by actively participating in many of the Consulate’s cultural/educational initiatives and special events, e.g., Guyana Independence Festival Committee.

   Cultural Events - love for books, theatre, and the arts led to skits and plays; visits to Stratford ; then a variety concert.

Presentation of Annual Literary Evenings for 30 years, featuring an assortment of poems, short stories, skits and excerpts from books predominantly written by Guyanese and Caribbean authors.

 Theatrical Productions—A Christmas Story (1988) and A Wedding for Miss Jane (1990).

 Hosting of Art Exhibition of Guyanese Women Artists (1994)—a “first” for any Guyanese Canadian community organization.

Produced a major Variety Concert—Musical Memories (1997).

Community Recognition - In its 25th Anniversary year, BHSAA Toronto received two community awards:

2010 Guyana Award for Community Service (Organization), and a 2010 Ontario Newcomer Champion Award. In addition, individual members of the Chapter have utilized their personal and professional expertise to perform volunteer work within the Guyanese Canadian and the wider society, resulting in awards for outstanding community service and leadership.