Warwick Academy Celebrating Custodial Staff
Tomorrow [Oct 2] marks National Custodians Day, and Warwick Academy is holding a complimentary lunch to honour its custodial staff.
A spokesperson said, “It’s time to take a look around and celebrate some of the most dedicated people in the school, our custodians. October 2 is National Custodians Day and never has their job been more important than in the age of Covid-19, when cleanliness is key.
“Our custodians help to keep our school up and running and without them life at school as it is today would not be possible. We are fortunate to have 4 in the department, Gary McCullough, Jet Thorne, Roger Ramatar and Emanuel Rodriques.
“Although many people assume that the role of a custodian is only to keep the school clean, this first impression is incorrect. Custodians do so much more and are responsible for many aspects of keeping the school running.
Jet Thorne, Roger Ramatar, Emanuel Rodgriques and Gary McCullough
“At Warwick, they take care of an enormous 22 acre campus [90-100 thousand square feet] throughout the year, with just one landscaper, Emmanuel Rodrigues, ensuring that the fields and the playing areas are maintained to the highest standard. If that was not enough, they also oversee all renovations, book out school spaces for events and work to improve the facilities at all times.
“For instance, each of the classrooms is renovated every 10 years. These renovations ensure that the school facilities are up to date and able to consistently provide a wonderful environment for learning.
“Gary McCullough, the facilities and properties manager, has worked at Warwick for 9 years and says that the best part of the job is ‘giving something back’ to the students and the community.
“Mr. McCullough, who used to be a dean of students in the United States, reflects that having been an administrator he was able to appreciate the amount of work that goes into the maintenance of the school, even before he took up his position at Warwick.
“John Thorne, the finance and facilities controller, organises the acquisition of furniture and any usage of the school campus by other people. When asked, he said that his favourite part of the job was “being able to facilitate the education of the students”.
“Last year Warwick Academy hosted a complimentary packed lunch for the custodians as a way to say thank you for all of their hard work, and this year they are doing the same. But what can we do to show our appreciation, throughout the year and not just on one day?
“For starters we can try to help out by being more conscientious. For example we don’t need to wait for someone to clean up when we make a mess. We can do it ourselves.
“Please join us in celebrating our custodians. Their contribution to the fabric of our school community ensures that our school runs smoothly.”
