Cabinet's finest from Bishop Anstey High School!

Today, history was made once again in the political arena of Trinidad & Tobago, as the Ministerial Swearing-in Ceremony was held at Queen's Hall, Port of Spain.

There was much speculation as to which political figures would take on the arduous responsibility of the government portfolios, with whispers of speculated guesses for such Ministries as Finance, Education and Health.

An incredible shot of our choir, standing behind the Prime Minister of the Republic of Trinidad & Tobago, Dr. Keith Christopher Rowley during the first swearing-in ceremony at Queen's Hall on Wednesday 9 September 2015.

Not surprisingly to many, Bishop Anstey High was once again thrusted into the spotlight, with not one, but TWO members of our distinguished Alumnae receiving the nod from the Prime Minister, Dr. The Honourable Keith Rowley, to undertake responsibilities that would ultimately shape the socio-economic dynamic of Trinidad & Tobago over the next 5 years. Our citizens, and more specifically, our current students at Bishop Anstey High School, can now look to our very own Parliament for strong, hard-working female leaders who will most certainly become game-changers in Trinidad & Tobago.

Without further ado, here are your Hilarians in Cabinet!

Minister of Planning and Development, the Honourable Camille Robinson-Regis, MP.

Fondly described as ' the quintessential Afro-Caribbean woman' by her peers, Lady Vice Chairman of the People's National Movement, Mrs. Camille Robinson-Regis is an attorney-at-law who has played an active role in the political landscape of Trinidad & Tobago since joining the PNM at age 17.

Mrs. Robinson-Regis attended Bishop Anstey High School and later the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine and Cave Hill, where she undertook a Bachelor of Law degree and subsequently the Legal Education Certificate at the University of West Indies - Norman Manley Law School, Jamaica. She was admitted to the Trinidad and Tobago Bar in 1985. For several years she was the Corporate Secretary of the National Flour Mills, YTEPP and also establishes a successful private practice.

In 1992 she became the youngest Senator to be appointed to the Cabinet of Trinidad & Tobago and between 1992 and 1994 served as Minister of Information. From 1994-1995 she held the position of Minister of Consumer Affairs and Minister in the Ministry of Planning and Development, responsible for the environment. Victorious in her first election campaign in 1995 to represent what was then the Arouca South constituency, she became an Opposition Member between 1995-2001. Re-elected in 2001, through her aggressive and high quality representation she was instrumental in building the Arouca South (now Arouca/Maloney) seat into a PNM stronghold which is maintained up until today.

She became Minister of Legal Affairs 2001-2003 and subsequently became the first woman to serve as a Minister of Planning and Development. Under her stewardship the signature Vision 2020 Operational Plan was completed, having been developed by a multi-disciplinary team of representatives from the public and private sectors, civil society and academia.

A stellar career as a diplomat began in 2007 when he took up the post of High Commissioner of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago to Canada, a position she held until 2010. On her return to Trinidad and Tobago she undertook several sittings as a temporary Senator between 2012 and 2013 before her appointment as a full time Opposition Senator and Leader of Opposition Business. A front-line speaker for the PNM bench whether in government or opposition, Mrs Robinson-Regis in her debates has brought both heat and light to the Parliament.

This wife and mother of 3 daughters, has raised an adult daughter who is an Attorney -at- Law and is now raising 8 year old twins who attend primary school. A Charter Member of the San Juan Lions Club and a Member at Large of the Family Planning Association, Camille Robinson-Regis has served as the Vice-Chairman of the PNM, Chairman of the Party's Rules and Regulations Committee, and as a member of the Investigations Committee, now serving as the Lady Vice-Chairman, she also serves as the Chairman of the Disciplinary Committee. 

Minister of Social Development and Family Services, the Honourable Cherrie-Ann Crichlow-Cockburn, MP.

Cherrie Ann Crichlow-Cockburn is a versatile Human Resources Executive with more than 25 years comprehensive and wide-ranging experience in a social insurance environment. Her experience includes industrial and employee relations, human resource development, change management and conflict resolution.
She is a proactive leader who adapts easily to change and considers it important to spend quality time with employees to encourage learning and foster organisational loyalty and a positive team spirit. Ms Crichlow-Cockburn has pledged to bring these sterling qualities to her representation of the people of Lopinot/Bon Air West and service of the public.

A resident of Five Rivers, Arouca, Ms Crichlow-Cockburn attended the Tunapuna EC Primary School and subsequently, Bishop Anstey High School. She continued her education at the tertiary level, obtaining a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine (1982) and five years later, a Diploma in Industrial Relations from the Cipriani College of Labour and Cooperative Studies.
In 1993 she earned a Certificate in Behavioral Psychology from the UWI School of Continuing Studies. She also received Certificates in business related disciplines from the Columbia University and Arthur Lok Jack Graduate Schools of Business.

Minister Crichlow-Cockburn holds membership in HERMATT – Human Resource Management Association of Trinidad and Tobago – and LERA – Labour and Employment Association (Illinois, USA).
Her special interests include youth development, leadership development, sport and culture.

Well done BAHS - and now, the work begins as a nation to move forward!