ELIZABETH College’s main building celebrated its 175th anniversary at the weekend. And history was repeated in a ceremony to re-dedicate one of the dominant features of St Peter Port’s skyline.

When the building was opened by the Bishop of Winchester, Dr Summer, in 1829, he arrived by carriage from the White Rock.

The current principal, Dr Nick Argent, and Dean of Guernsey the Very Rev. Canon Paul Mellor travelled down from Beechwood in the same way.

‘It is an excellent opportunity to re-enact this on two levels. On a superficial level, there is the building being opened; it still dominates the skyline today,’ said Dr Argent.

More importantly, he said, was that every modern success of the college today dated from the point the school was re-chartered in 1824.

‘It marks an important milestone in the evolution of Elizabeth College, a point it came to grow stronger, and the building is the visual embodiment of that.’

The ceremony had a representative from the Crown, the Church and the community to symbolise the three pillars that make the college.

‘Elizabeth College is one of the great institutions of the Bailiwick and the building is a landmark on the skyline and it stands for something,’ said Mr Mellor.

‘It is the 175-year anniversary of the opening of this building and it’s good to remind ourselves of it and the striving for excellence.’

Deputy Bailiff Geoffrey Rowland represented the community, with his role as deputy presiding officer of the States.

He said that the building, designed by architect John Wilson, was funded from a duty rise on spirits and liquors. In 1825, the States appointed seven of 13 directors.

‘To this day it provides substantial funding to allow the college to flourish. It has fulfilled the aspirations and justified the confidence of those who took steps to cause this building to be built,’ said Mr Rowland.

He added that he was confident the people of Guernsey recognised the contribution it had made in producing distinguished Old Elizabethans.

He also said that leadership and excellence had been its hallmarks for 175 years.

‘The 1829 building has always been and will always remain a handsome structure and distinctive building that makes a bold statement on the skyline.’

The building was expected to cost £9,565, but finally came in at £15,404.

Lt-Governor Sir John Foley remarked on how people from the college had achieved success in different fields.

Hautes Capelles Junior School head teacher David Boalch attended between 1960 and 1967.

‘As an Old Elizabethan, it’s a wonderful occasion to commemorate the 175th anniversary of the new building,’ he said.

‘Elizabeth College gave me a lot of confidence to go out and face the world and do what I do now.’

Robin Roussel has long ties with the college. He was a student from 1945 to 1954 and in 1957 came back to teach PE and geography, before retiring in 1989.

He was also secretary of the OE Association for 11 years after that.

‘It’s just another recognition of a pile of rocks serving the community outstandingly well,’ he said. ‘But it’s more than just a building; there are other good schools in the island, but it’s greater than the sum of its parts.’

After it was re-chartered in 1824, it had 40 pupils enrolled for the first year, but two never turned up. Now the number it takes on annually is double that.

Second senior prefect Tristan Maubec, 17, said that it was good to be part of the college’s long history.

‘It’s not as strict as it was but the same ideas are still here and not just academic achievement.’