Montego Bay High School

NAME OF FEATURE | THE GLEANER | WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 2020 17 MONTEGO BAY HIGH SCHOOL 85TH ANNIVERSARY M ONTEGO BAY High School for Girls has its roots and its growth firmly embedded in the relentless efforts of so many stalwarts; some of whom have re- tired and, regrettably, some who have died within the last five years. • Mrs Donna-Marie Redway is our immediate past principal, and it was she who oversaw the reintroduction of the sixth form and led the school so ably for seven years. • Miss Marlene McGregor , our champion PE teacher, formidable 4-H adviser and chief decorator, retired. • Mrs Tonita Maxwell , science and mathematics teacher, Science Department Head and supportive past student, retired. • Mrs LeleithGraham , the quiet and motherly form teacher and teacher of mathematics, retired. • Ms ColleenDaley , Spanish teacher par excellence, retired. • Mr Michael Dennis , career art teacher, retired. • Mrs Esther Dennis , teacher of reli- gious education and history, retired. • Ms Ruth McKenzie , fearless in the execution of her office duties, retired. • Mrs Mary Barnes , ancillary worker who dedicated over 34 years of her life to the school, always ensuring we had a clean environment to op- erate in, retired. • Mrs Christie Casserly transitioned this year and will long be remem- bered for her dry wit and being an excellent language and Spanish teacher. • Mrs Pauline Chambers , Aunty P , oneof the school’s long-servingboard members, passed away last year. We salute all these persons and say“walk good”, whether here or in the next life. school became known as Beaconsfield School and the girls were affectionately called ‘Beacs’ girls. Under the competent leadership of Miss Blanche Jeffrey-Smith, the school began with 40 students and three teachers. This high school was established with the aim of developing in all its students mental alertness, physical health, spiritual consciousness, and a sense of responsibility, so that they would grow up to be self-reliant individuals capable of earning their own livelihood while serving the community to the best of their ability. THE SCHOOL UNIFORM In the 1930s, the students wore navy blue tunics with white blouses and navy blue socks. At one point in the school’s history, the students wore green and white pinstripe blouses with grey six-panel tunics, grey socks and black shoes. The use of the green and white pinstripe blouse was aborted in the late 1970s (1976 was the last year it was worn) due to unavailability of the fabric. The students, since then, have resumed wearing white blouses. The school badge with the school motto became a vital part of the school uni- form. Students could be punished if they were seen without their badges attached to the upper left region of their tunics or blouses. HISTORY CONTINUED FROM 12 Blue and white uniforms from the early days (left) and new sixth-form uniforms.