Peter Rory Aleong, arranger of St Francois Girls' College successful pan orchestra, was presented a legacy award by the school in February during its month-long 60th anniversary celebrations, in large part for his contribution for making the school synonymous with the national instrument.

Aleong, his arrangements and the school's orchestra continues to receive its rightful plaudits after winning a record six Junior Panorama (secondary schools) titles from 2011-2019.

This success undoubtedly gives St Francois, already highly regarded for its academic achievements, a reputation to behold among non-denominational government schools.

Thousands of students have graduated since the school officially opened on February 6, 1962, a considerable number of whom stand among this country's most esteemed members of society. Many have been inspired by, or directly involved in the orchestra.

Days after Aleong received the legacy award, students and teachers hosted a tribute function at the school in his honour.

Aleong, 59, has gifts most suitable for his role as a music teacher, arranger and leader, current and former school staff told Newsday.

Retired vice principal Suzanne Roget said, "I think it's because he understood the students."

"He was able to connect with them and they connect with his music, and in some way, that symbiotic relationship just gelled and that's how he was able to put down his music."

Pan and personal development go hand-in-hand, as evidenced by St Francois' extra-curricular and academic successes, and the pride those affiliated with the school often project.

"Pan (is one of the) most positive moves the school could have done...What happens is pan, and music on the whole brings and has brought a lot of benefits."

St Francois was one of, if not the first all-girls school to incorporate a pan band into school activities, having formed the orchestra on its ten-year anniversary in 1972 as part of a project for the Duke of Edinburgh Award (now President's Award).

Talent quickly emerged, enough to see a team represent their country on tours to Canada in 1979, the UK in 1984 (along with the school choir), and Canada again in 1988.

It placed runner-up in the Junior Panorama from 1977-1979, before winning its first title a year later.

[caption id="attachment_942312" align="alignnone" width="1024"] St Francois Girls' College steel orchestra, winner of Junior Panorama (secondary schools) 2018. - ROGER JACOB[/caption]

The orchestra, however, became largely dormant before it returned to Panorama in 2005.

Aleong previously taught music at St Francois for a year in 2007.

He returned to the school shortly before sealing his first Junior Panorama title and the school's second ever in 2011, ending a 21-year drought with the song, How We Coming?

St Francois and Aleong went on to win an unprecedented Junior Panorama hat-trick in the following two years, and more titles in 2015, 2017 and 2018.

The school finished second to Bishop Anstey & Trinity College East (BATCE) steel orchestra in