St. Andrew High Embodies Excellence – Rev. Thwaites

Education Minister, Hon Rev. Ronald Thwaites, has lauded the St. Andrew High School for Girls, noting that the institution embodies a tradition of excellence, which is unrivalled in Jamaica’s secondary education system.

He said the school continues to distinguish itself academically, and to develop students into well-rounded women, who make significant contribution to society.

“The Ministry of Education looks with admiration on the St. Andrew High School for Girls, and is pleased to be your partner in purveying good education, better results, and more wholesome outcomes from this, and every other place,” he said.

Rev. Thwaites was speaking at a ceremony at the school’s Cecelio Avenue grounds on Friday (June 5), to hoist the institution’s flag for the first time.

He also lauded the past students whom, he noted, have committed themselves to a “covenant of mentorship, support, and heritage,” and expressed the hope that this level of engagement will be deepened and extended.

He invited the institution’s administration to give consideration to expanding the curriculum to incorporate “some of the useful technical competencies, which will make you (students) ready for work, and disposed to further education.”

The rising of the flag, designed by Deputy Head Girl for the 2014/15 academic year, Kathryn Lawrence, was part of the school’s 90th anniversary celebrations.

The dubonnet-coloured flag (deep purple-red) features the school’s crest in the centre, encircled by seven grey stars trimmed with white. Dubonnet, gray, and navy blue are the school’s colours.

The list of attendees included Custodes Rotulorum for Kingston, and St. Andrew, Hon. Steadman Fuller, and Hon. Donna Parchment, respectively, and a number of distinguished past students.

Notable among these were: University of the West Indies (UWI) Professor Emerita and former Pro Vice-Chancellor, Elsa Leo-Rhynie, who was the first female to be appointed as Principal and Deputy Principal of the Mona Campus.

She has been selected as patron of the school’s 90th anniversary celebrations.

Other notable past students in attendance included: Chief of State Protocol, Office of the Prime Minister, Ambassador Elinor Felix; and reigning Miss Jamaica (World), Kaci Fennell.