LUCEA, Hanover — THE Ruseas Old Students Association (ROSA) will this Saturday officially open the $4- million Seymour Panton Mentorship Centre on the grounds of the old Ruseas High School campus.

“It is the belief of the association that more organised interaction between the current students and the old students is desirable and could provide significant benefits to the current students especially, as a motivational tool,” ROSA president Lloyd Tomlinson told the Observer West.

“It would also provide opportunities for old students to give of their time, in the areas of teaching, career guidance, mentoring, and the accessing of scholarships,” he added.

Ruseas, which is 233 years old, is not widely known to have disciplinary problems.

But over the last five years, there have been a few cases

of violence at the co-educational institution.

Tomlinson said under the programme the old students will visit the school to interact with students in their areas of interest and expertise.

“A secretariat will co-ordinate with the school and set up visits and confirm with old students,” Tomlinson noted, adding that all visits will be recorded, and follow-ups will take place, if necessary.

The centre, the ROSA president said, is divided into two main areas.

“One area is to host classes and the other area will be the base for the old students on campus. The area for the old Students will contain an office, a lounge area, private bathrooms and a kitchenette, and will be adequately furnished with at least two desks, two chairs and at least two computers and with wireless connectivity,”

he explained.

Minister of Heath Rudyard Spencer will be the guest speaker at the function.

Other invited guests include Dr David Stair, custos of Hanover; Mayor of Lucea Lloyd Hill; Ian Hayles member of Parliament for Western Hanover; former Governor General Professor Sir Kenneth Hall, Former Prime Minister PJ Patterson; and Chairman of the Ruseas School board Denton Campbell.