Seymour Panton Mentorship Centre Opens at Rusea’s High School

The Seymour Panton Mentorship Centre, located on the grounds of the Rusea’s High School in Lucea, Hanover, was officially opened on Saturday (February 20).

The centre, a project of the Rusea’s Old Students Association (ROSA), was built at a cost of some $4 million, and named in honour of the President of the Court Of Appeal, who is a past student of the institution.

President of ROSA, Lloyd Tomlinson, in his remarks at the opening ceremony, explained that the centre will be the base of operation for a mentorship programme dubbed ‘Old Students on Campus’, which is aimed at fostering closer interaction between old and current students in an organised way.

Under the programme past students will visit the school to interact with current students in their areas of interest and expertise. The secretariat will co-ordinate with the school and set up visits, which will involve follow-ups.

President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Seymour Panton (centre) had the honour of being the first person to enter the mentorship centre, named in his honour, which officially opened yesterday (Feb. 20) on the grounds of the Rusea’s High School in Hanover. The Seymour Panton Mentorship Centre is a project of the Rusea’s Old Students Association (ROSA).

The centre houses a secretariat and has classroom space for current students, and an area for old students, which includes an office, a lounge area, private bathrooms, and a kitchenette. It will be adequately furnished and equipped with computer technology.

Mr. Tomlinson said the hope is to motivate the students to achieve and that the successes of the mentors and other outstanding alumni will serve as inspiration.

“We also hope that this programme will help to ensure that the standards of the school are kept high in keeping with the wonderfully rich history of a school that is the third oldest traditional high school in Jamaica,” he added.

Minister of Health, Hon. Rudyard Spencer, who declared the facility open, said that its establishment demonstrates that the Rusea’s family understands the strategic importance of investing in education and the young people of the nation.

“It is at this level that the greatest difference can be made to advance the country’s human development agenda. Rusea’s is making an investment in the country with this mentorship programme,” he stated.

“I firmly believe that health and education are the twin hopes for the people of Jamaica. The country is committed to achieving the goals of the National Development Plan, Vision 2030, and it is important that we scale up investments in health and education and hold people accountable for results,” Minister Spencer added.

He expressed the hope that the students of Rusea’s will appreciate the gift of the centre and grasp the opportunities that will flow from it.

Also bringing greetings at the ceremony were former Governor General, the Most Hon. Professor Sir Kenneth Hall, who is also a past student of the institution; Custos of Honover, Dr. David Stair; Mayor of Lucea, Councillor Lloyd Hill; and Member of Parliament for Western Hanover, Ian Hayles.

Rusea’s High is the largest traditional high school in the island today, with a student population of over 2,600 on two campuses.