Nathaniel Speid

 Merl Grove was founded late 1919 by Nathaniel Speid and his daughter Miriam in an effort to educate the children of the average man. It started in a "little red house" off Marverly Lane and in 1920 moved to 77 Constant Spring Road in a 2-room house with 30 students. Originally a co-ed school, it was called MERL using the first letter from the names of Mr. Speid’s five children ("M" for Miriam, "E" for Effey, "R" for Reginald and Ruth, and "L" for Lucille). Miriam became its first headmistress in 1924 upon the retirement of her father. Under Miss Mirrie’s (as she was called) guidance, the school expanded its curriculum to include Spanish, French, and Science.

 

Miriam Speid

Her intellectual plan was "effective education must proceed along a moral as well as intellectual plan, and that one should consistently bear in mind there is no power without parity". She chose the school’s motto "Labor Omnia Vincit" – "Hard Work Overcomes All Difficulties" from this philosophy. Due to her diligence, hard work and commitment, in 1920 the government classified MGHS as a Grade 1 school – quite an achievement for a private school. It is interesting to note that the Speid family worked together for the success of the school, and always felt that parents served an integral role in the students’ success. As a result, Merl Grove holds the enviable position as the first school to start a Parent Teachers’ Association. It still plays an active role today. In 1954 a domestic science building was erected and classes that were previously taught on Saturday afternoons at a staff member’s home moved into the new building.

 

 Children were never turned away due to financial constraints on their parents. Miss Mirrie would not allow that, but between 1956 and 1957, financial help was needed to cope with its rapid expansion. Ms. Speid went into partnership with the Associated Gospel Assemblies and the Assemblies adopted Merl Grove. The school eventually became government aided and, as such, was required by the government to become "all-girls". Reluctantly, they stopped admitting boys. Subsequently, past student Albert Karram and his family, very influential business people, became a major support for the school. Expansion of six new classrooms was done and in 1958 additional land was acquired which accommodated playfields and the Rehoboth Gospel Assembly. Ms. Speid retired in 1959 and maintained contact until she passed on. The school continues to expand having acquired 79 Constant Spring Road on which now stands the coveted Karram-Speid Auditorium and the Enid Kerr Library. Its successes are many and "afar or near, where e’er we go, its honour still our own". Merl Grovians, and proud of it!

 

Home Ec. Building

Three story building(was the fourth form block ,do'nt know if it still is)

 

Pathway to the Auditorium

 

Our Library

 

First Form Block

 

 

The infamous tree

 

 

Praise we our school,

Its work, its play, oh praise

Our song of pride, Let’s all unite to raise

For sport and song, for thought and skill,

Its honored name be known

In mind alert, in tempered will,

Its inner worth be shown

 

Chorus

Oh praise our school (rep 2x)

And carry on its fame

Raise high through coming years

its glorious name

 

Praise we our school,

 And those who labour there

Firm in their task to build with patient care

To watch and cheer, to rouse and guide,

 To lead, to point the way

For all their hope, for all their pride,

We give them thanks today

(rep. chorus)

Praise we our school,

And through our coming years

Still be our pride to show it worthy praise

Afar or near,

where’er we go its honour still our own

Its children we, its strength to show, Its wisdom to make known

 

  

  

 

  

 

 

 

 Our Sisters site  merlgrovepsaneac.org