Local News News Pat Symmonds, veteran of education and public life, dies Sandy Deane27/05/20200112 views Renowned educator, former senator and privy councillor Dame Olga Patricia “Pat” Symmonds GCM, DBE died today at age 94. The iconic principal of The St Michael School began her 40-year teaching career there in 1945, becoming deputy principal in 1963 and ultimately principal from 1976 until her retirement in 1985. She was also one of the first part-time tutors and lecturers at the College of Arts and Sciences in 1963 that later became the Cave Hill campus of the University of the West Indies. Dame Patricia, a stalwart of the Barbados Labour Party, served as a senator for 13 years from 1994. She also sat on several public commissions and was a member of the Privy Council from 1997 to 2000. For her long and distinguished service to education, Dame Patricia received the Queen’s Silver Jubilee Medal in 1977. In 1985, the Barbados Government awarded the country’s second-highest honour, the Gold Crown of Merit (GCM). In 2000, Symmonds was knighted as Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire by the Queen in recognition of her life in public service and contribution to education. She is survived by her brother, the retired diplomat Algernon “Algie” Symmonds. (More details to follow.)