Mr Khalim Ali retiring Principal of TIA Warrenville Primary School was celebrated at an event held on Thursday September 20th 2012. In his feature speech Teacher Rakeeb Rodney Kalloo recounted Mr Ali's 40 years of contribution to education. Mr Kalloo said to his retiring Head Teacher "Principal, as you enter yet another phase in your journey, just know that you have truly made a difference at this school and in the lives of everyone you have interacted with. May Allah continue to shower you and your family with his mercy and blessings. In appreciation for your lifelong dedication to education, for believing in children, for guiding through example, for inspiring with passion, for living through loving, for leaving an indelible mark on the future, for touching the human soul, may the joy you have brought to so many, along with the gratification of a job well done, fill your life with happiness."  

Mr. Khalim Ali at his retirement program

Principal and competing students recall the moment.

Quiz champions Raffina Mustapha and Majeed Mustapha proudly show off the George Cabral Trophy as unexpected winners of the quiz competition in 1942

Founding Principal Mr. Nabab Ali recalls the event thus:

"Four months after the school was started, an event of particular significance occurred. For the first time we entered a Quiz Competition among the schools of the St. George area. The competition was being held at the San Juan Government School, and, in those days, these competitions drew large attendances comprising parents, teachers, pupils and members of the public. The competition was based on Civics. The trophy at stake was a cup donated by the then mayor of Port of Spain, the late George Cabral. I remembered that there was one particular school which had the reputation for about :three years to cop this trophy.

Our school was represented by two cousins - Majeed Mustapha and Raffina Mustapha. Since we were entering our first competition, we took great pains to prepare those two pupils. But how could we succeed in a.competition with such seasoned competitors! After all we were just four months old. I realized this was a great disadvantage to us but as the saying goes, there could be a dark horse in the race and sometimes there are upsets.

That evening before a packed crowd at the San Juan Government School, the competitors from each of the schools took their positions on the stage. The system adopted by the Quiz Master was on the elimination basis. One school competed against the other until there were three finalists. We found ourselves among these three. Another round of questions and we knocked out our competitors. We were now two schools, the past champions and El Socorro Islamia. The excitement was high. The crowd was behind us. There was loud cheering as the Quiz Master popped his question to the opposing school. No answer. He fired another at our school. No answer. There was a tie. Excitement rose! Last question to the opposing team. No answer. The question was thrown at El Socorro Islamia and up came I the correct answer! We had won! It was one of the I greatest moments in the life of our school and this received high publicity in the Press."