Page 18 SAHS CENTENARY CONFERENCE A HIT FOR THE AGES. Kingston, Jamaica: The Centenary Conference held on Wednesday March 19th marking the continuing 100th Anniversary celebrations of the , St Andrew High School for Girls (SAHS), as one of Jamaica’s most distinguished educational institutions, truly marked the successful ways in which the school had triumphed in realizing its goals of empowering excellence as it ‘transitioned into the 21st Century in Teaching and Learning.’ Held at the School’s Margaret Gartshore Hall as well as broadcast live online, the day’s event , expertly managed by Master of Ceremonies Elaine Wint, showcased the legacy of excellence that has characterised the 100 years of the delivery of education by this institution though presentations by past student Dr. Blossom Omeally-Nelson, who related what to her were the highlights of the first 50 years of the school, and by Professor I Knight – Madden who spoke to the second fifty years. Dr- Omeally-Nelson tracing in a humour-filled story of her own growth from a questioning student who had to be moved through eleven Primary Schools, to a High School which encouraged and accommodated her enquiring mind and which itself had grown and development outstandingly, from 1925, when it was formed as the ‘Jamaica High School,’ At that time, she noted, launched by the Presbyterian and Methodist Church, to her mind, the school’s prevailing mission was to enable ‘black girls ‘to be educated in a way comparable to that available to the ‘ladies’ in the United Kingdom. This led, she said to what we perceive today as the successful ‘S’N Andrew brand.’ They were guided by teachers of impeccable standards, who in the first fifty years were mainly from the United Kingdom and who were all single, ladies, with exception of local principal Mrs. Fay Saunders. “When you left St Andrew’, she exclaimed in her own inimitable style, “You were ‘smaddy’ already!” Prof. Knight Madden, a former student of the second fifty years, noted that during those decades St Andrew remained an unapologetically Christian school, which inspired girls to engage in many activities. Referring to the school song, she joined in expressing the hope that as we looked to the next hundred years, the girls of that era would remain true to the wish that ‘May all who come behind us find us faithful.” Enthusiastic applause to both presentations came from the audience of ‘old girls ‘ and their friends, SAHS Centenary Chair Ms. Maxine HenryWilson who in her welcome had explained that the conference is not only a celebration but a call to action, the School’s Chaplain, the Rev. Astor Carlyle, and guest speaker Dr. Schontal Moore, as well as a troupe of current alumnae, who dutifully and expertly managed the event. under the watchful and approving eye of current Principal Mrs. Keeva Ingram, (herself and ‘old girl’,) as well as most recent past principal Mrs Sharon Reid. The nostalgic presentations of past students Omeally Nelson, and Madden, were followed by that of School Board Chairman Mr. Radley Reid, through which he posited that the school’s 100 years of success, were not achieved by accident. “The institution has grown into one of Jamaica’s most respected ‘centres of learning’, he said, because of sustained governance over the years which had been marked by a ‘clarity of purpose.’- A Mission marked by Integrity, Strategic Leadership, Discipline, Accountability and a recognition of Culture as an invisible architect of any institution in which there is disciplined scholarship. Speaking of the school’s moral grounding in Christian discipline, he noted that if this culture were to be weakened, it would be difficult to restore. St Andrew High School, he emphasised, has over the years invested in leadership development, and the inculcation of values, founded on Christian principles, moral clarity and the stable generation of enduring values. This mandate was underscored by Principal Ingram, who reinforced that the school had in the present time continued to manage teaching and learning to ensure continued excellence in the future along the principles mentioned, by continuing to pay emphasis on four areas of focus, the physical, mental, social and spiritual areas of development. Appropriately, the days celebrations climaxed in the celebration St. Andrew High School’s proud tradition of producing women leaders across public service, business, education, and the creative industries, by reinforcing that legacy in paying honour to its most recent Principal, Mrs. Sharon Reid who had served the school for twenty years! Her indefatigable work in reinforcing the school’s motto, ‘Life More Abundant’. through her outstanding leadership, was especially noted in celebrating her as a ‘legacy bearer,’ and the successor in a line of academic and visionary leaders who were responsible for building the outstanding institution that is today the St Andrew High School for Girls of Kingston Jamaica! " 90's Trailblazers "
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTUzNTI=