Principal of Cambridge High Expresses Gratitude

Principal of Cambridge High School in St. James, Harry Hanson, is expressing gratitude after the institution was selected as a beneficiary of the 2026 Jill Stewart MoBay City Run.

The 10th staging of the charity event is scheduled for Sunday, May 3, at Harmony Beach Park in Montego Bay, St. James.

Speaking at a JIS ‘Think Tank’, held on Wednesday, April 8, at the Montego Bay Regional Office, Mr. Hanson said the $1 million will help in restoring a conducive learning environment for students who may still be affected by trauma, following Hurricane Melissa last October.

He noted that Cambridge High suffered significant damage, leaving some classrooms vulnerable in adverse weather conditions.

“When it rains, it leaks. You’re reminded constantly about what happened. It cannot be healthy [for students] and it cannot be in their best interest,” he said.

Mr. Hanson indicated that the conditions have disrupted student engagement and limited the school’s ability to effectively reach all learners.

He noted that many students had to restart School-Based Assessment (SBA) for their upcoming Caribbean Secondary Examination Certificate (CSEC) examination following the hurricane.

The assistance from the Jill Stewart Run, he said, will bring renewed hope that will aid in improving the physical environment and motivating students.

“So, once we’re able to get the place prepared and create the ambience to encourage learning, that would be a great help moving forward and help us in achieving our objective to educate the nation’s children,” Mr. Hanson said.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the Jill Stewart MoBay City Run, Janet Silvera, indicated that in addition to issuing $1 million to the secondary schools, the Foundation is actively seeking to secure school supplies for the students, including technological devices, such as tablets.

She added that appeals are being made to sponsors to adopt projects or areas within schools that were damaged by Hurricane Melissa.

“We are giving them a million dollars, but we’re hoping that sponsors will come on board and help. We have proposals like $700,000 towards the school, taking an area, a lab,” she informed.

Of the five schools selected, the Digicel Foundation is contributing $2.5 million to the Maggotty High School.