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The
Odyssey
Nestled in the heart of St. Thomas-Ye-Vale is the
history of “Linstead School”, one of Jamaica’s oldest
elementary learning institutions. This school dates back
to the 1900’s when the acquisition of one room wooden
structure on three-quarter acres of land gave birth to
an organized learning facility that would be called
“Linstead School”. To add to the geographical location
it began on Main Street, Linstead in North-West St.
Catherine, near to the hospital and the Police Station.
Today, this is site is home to Linstead Health Centre on
what is now known as King Street. Linstead Government
School was the first documented name; however, the
school was always referred to as “Linstead School”, a
name still used today. “Linstead School” or “the Old
School’s” first head-teacher (Principal) was teacher
Marsh. Very little is mentioned of him except that he
was the first head teacher of the small school for which
he would head the list of early pioneers. He apparently
retired in1923 according to informal interviews and oral
sources.
In
1924, Teacher I. W. King took up appointment as Head
Teacher (Principal) of [instead Government School.
Students attending school would enter no younger than
age seven (7) and moved by performance to different
classes. They left at age fifteen (15) when they would
be informed that their age was up During his tenure of
twenty- two (22) years, the school grew in enrollment
and academic achievement in the “Three R’S” Reading,
Writing and Arithmetic. The school’s enrollment was
approximately three hundred (300) with nine (9) teachers
inclusive of the Head Teacher who taught one of the
classes. The one room school was divided into nine (9)
classes using chalkboard as partition. Offices did not
exist; they however had proper toilet facilities and
basic amenities such as piped water and a canteen. The
Head Teacher lived in a teacher’s cottage with his
family. Teacher King’s wife was also a teacher.
The
school experienced significant success and made great
impact on the lives of the children and contributed to
the development and refinement of some of Jamaica’s
finest nation-builders. To reflect on the footprints of
the student-pioneers, names such as: Haddad, Haisley,
Mongol, Rattary Lamb, Faddil, Shoucairs, Tenn, Maraghs,
McLeod. King and Chung have paved the way for today’s
generation and the generations to come. There are also
those educators who did excellent pioneering work. Names
such as: Teacher Hyatt, Teacher King’s wife, Ms. Parker.
Ms. ma McLean, Ms. Johnson and Ms. Gordon, have all laid
foundations that paved the way for the many teachers
associated with “Linstead School”.
Teacher King retired in 1946 and was cited for his
tremendous work by Custos McGrath and others for
transforming a small inefficient school into an “A”
Grade school of efficiency. He was lauded for his
twenty-two years of unrelenting success in the training
of students for Scholarships and Government Exams. His
performance boosted the enrollment. He was also credited
with community support and respect. In 1946 “Linstead
School” would continue on its path to success and bask
in significant growth when Teacher Smart was appointed
Head Teacher (Principal).
Mr.
Lester E. Smart succeeded Teacher King as a
disciplinarian, and-a man of firm character and an
educator that would continue to blaze-a-trail and
embrace the academia. With the school now documented as
Linstead All-Age its unrelenting success rate and
strategic location made it the coveted All-Age School.
Many people tried to send their children to “Linstead
School”. The enrollment soared and so was the success.
Linstead School now had to battle with over-crowding. In
the mid-fifties the physical structure plunged into a
state of disrepair, the floor and ceiling were rotting.
It became worst as the years progressed and drew the
attention of many.
On
June 6, 1962 the Parent- Teachers Association of
Linstead Primary School invited the Hon. I. P Gyles,
Minister of Agriculture and MHR for the constituency, to
a special meeting, in furtherance of their efforts to
obtain a new All-Age School at Linstead. The meeting was
presided over by Mr. E. S. Haisley. Mr. L. E. Smart
introduced the Minister and said that for over ten (10)
years Government had promised that a new school would be
built.
Accommodation was approximately nine hundred (900) and
the old structure was inadequate and the conditions and
equipment were poor hence the need for a new school.
Counci1or R. J. Francis mentioned the dangers of the
present location of the school and said that it should
be removed to a less hazardous site. Replying, Mr. Gyles
said that as a Board member, he realized the poor
conditions. He said that he had taken up the matter with
the Ministry of Education and found that agreement on
the purchasing of a new site had been reached. He said
that he would continue to press the matter to ensure
early construction. Rev. T. H. Duncanson was in
attendance and gave the vote of thanks. This meeting
made it to the press and was published in the Daily
Gleaner on July 7, 1962.
In
the previous year, the Ministry of Education had
purchased seven (7) acres of land on East Avenue from
Mr. Rienzie Dolphy. This would soon become the site of
the new school under the influence of Mr. J.P. Gyles. In
June 1964, the new school was erected due to the
successful efforts of Mr. I. P Gyles. Teachers and
students moved to the new school in September 1964.
On
Thursday January 31, 1965, the school was officially
opened and was marked by a ceremony. This too made it to
the press and was published in the Daily Gleaner the
following day. The Minister of Education the Hon. Edwin
Allen was the Guest Speaker. Mr. J. P Gyles was also in
attendance. The Principal in his report stated that the
school accommodated over nine hundred (900) pupils whose
response to training had been encouraging and rewarding.
The school also boasted a flourishing Evening Institute
and through the efforts of staff and the
Parent-Teachers’-Association, was able to purchase a
duplicating machine and television set.
Many
prominent citizens in business and industry have
contributed to the needs of the institution. Alcan
Jamaica Ltd., Col. E. J. Haywood donated a set of
crockery; United Estates Ltd. assisted with money in
getting office equipment arid Jamaica Times contributed
towards a typewriter. The school’s library received
books from Mr. W. S. K. Gordon, a past student and
through his efforts books were given also by Mr. Phillip
Sherlock, Vice Chancellor of the University of the West
Indies, Mr. Tony Bridge and Mrs. Joan Atkinson. The
School’s Motto —Hats off to the past; Coats off for the
future— was developed by Mr. Lester Smart, and the crest
by Miss Loretta Morgan one of his staff members. Mr.
Smart retired as principal in August 1979.
On Monday, 29th
October 1979, Mr. Ansell White took up the position as
Principal of Linstead All-Age School. The school’s
population was 2,596. Mr. White was appalled by this
number, given the fact that the existing structure
should accommodate 1,250. Overcrowding was his first
challenge. Mr. White would now join the pioneers and
trailblazers in giving service to education and the
Linstead Community as an educator. He was determined to
cut the enrollment and did so gradually despite
obstacles and made significant changes to the numbers.
Mr. Ansell White, a man of sound values, a competent
educator, motivator and a dedicated worker did not
flinch in executing quality leadership. He was
meticulous and creative and imprinted on the minds of
every child with whom he interacted, the need for
education. He emphasized good moral and social values
and never run short of a quotation or a line that had a
valued moral behind it. Among, his central goals for the
children’s holistic development were competency, value
of self, and commitment to positive growth.
In September
1996, through much dialogue and written request to the
Ministry of Education he was successful in the
recruitment of our first Guidance
Counsellor
Mrs. E. Wright. Mr. White, a community oriented person
enjoyed good rapport with the members of the school’s
community, his staff and students. Linstead All-Age
continued to grow when, December 13 - 15, 1996, he
facilitated what would be our first staff retreat to
Sandals Dunn’s River Hotel. Dr. D. Brissett, Mr.
ValHitchner, Mrs. Jarrett, Mr. J. Lawrence and Miss Hall
held enlightening workshops that would enhance and
rejuvenate our interpersonal relationships and
subsequently our personal lives. Mrs. Betty Goldenring,
a peace corp. worker was the catalyst for this gift
realized from P J. Stewart. The Sandals Dunn’s River
experience is a treasure-trove. He was instrumental In
effecting significant changes to the physical plant.
The
school was adopted by Cable and Wireless Jamaica Limited
during his tenure with the I-Inn. Minister Robert
Pickersgill being very instrumental in the decision. Mr.
White served for eighteen (1 8)years. Today we continue
to salute Minister Pickersgill for his interest in
“Linstead School”, for his instrumentality and
recommendations to Cable and Wireless which led to the
adoption of the school. Many persons acted as Principals
in between the periods of vacation leave, pre-retirement
leave and secondment of principals. Names such as Miss
Ruby Thorbourne, Mrs. Smart, Mr. Frederick Lewis, and
Mr. Ler~ Murray and Miss Esme Hemans are pillars of
continuity that would keep “Linstead School” rolling as
principals “come and go”. Miss Esme Hemans enroute to
becoming the first female principal al Linstead All-Age
School acted as Principal from 1997 to 1998. Her
tenacious leadership qualities determination and
unprecedented ability to bring about significant changes
to the physical plant and academic status of the
students and teachers have led to swift and rigorous
changes of every aspect of the school’s development. In
1998 she was willing to accept the challenges of a shift
system and the reclassification of [instead All-Age to
[instead Primary and Junior High School. The changes
were drastic to facilitate the shift system and
reclassification of [instead All-Age School. Teachers,
Principal, Vice-Principals had to attend workshops in
order to deliver the curriculum in Grades 7-9 (subject
teaching).GSAT students were sent from eighteen Primary
schools to Grade 7 (mostly boys).Employment of a bursar,
a secretary, a clerical assistant, a Teacher/Librarian
and two ancillary members.
In
1999 the school was among 72 schools that were selected
from 1 44 Primary schools to participate in the New
Horizon Project. This project helps in increasing the
literacy and numeracy levels of students in the primary
school. Principal, Vice-Principal and all teachers in
the primary school had to attend workshops to train in
the delivery of the new curriculum. Some teachers were
chosen to be resource teachers.
Board members and parents attended workshops that would
inform them of the new curriculum. Among the
accomplishments of her tenure from Acting to appointed
Principal are: The removal of vendors and their huts
from the chain-link fence and from the main entrance of
the school thus enabling movement of vehicular traffic
and the use of the side-walk by students and other
pedestrian
The
building of the perimeter walls with the support of the
P.T.A., the repainting of the school enclosed
classrooms, refurbishing of the library; facilitating a
resource centre; acquisition of computers and books from
past students overseas, refurbishing the staff room, the
Home Economics Centre: the Industrial Techniques
Department; refurbishing of the Principal;
Vice-Principals and administrative offices; creating a
sewing room equipped with sewing machines. Singer and
other community personnel donated the machines.
She
was instrumental in getting financial support from banks
such as NCB, JN, RBTT, BNS and companies such as Cable
and Wireless Jamaica Ltd. and Nestle Jamaica Ltd.
[instead Primary and Junior High School owes gratitude
to Cable and Wireless Jamaica Ltd. for its tremendous
and varied support in its process of growth and
development since 1991
The
Poultry Husbandry Project with the objective to teach
students Entrepreneurial Skills and provide for the
school’s canteen must also be accredited to her desire
to see [instead grow. The agricultural plot was secured
with fencing from Caribbean Fencing. Among Cable and
Wireless’ contributions are: the yearly recognition of
teachers on Teachers Day, the granting of scholarships
to children, the paving of the school yard and the
assistance in the production of our first magazine “The
Genesis”.
While boosting the
academia and uplifting the physical plant, areas such
as: Resource and Technology, Physical Education, Speech
and Drama and Music were awarded trophies, medals and
certificates and gifts to attest to achievement in these
areas. Students’ and Teachers’ Welfare
Programmes and
Activities were never ignored. The School’s Feeding
Programme
for needy children was redeveloped and enhanced. Several
functions and retreats for teachers and children were
held to make them feel appreciated. There were awards
functions, weekends to hotels, luncheons and beach
trips, to name a few.
The inception of a
Grade Seven Reading
Programme and Spelling Competition
were facilitated and a Reading Trophy was procured for
Grade 7. This is to be awarded on a yearly basis to the
Most Improved Boy and Girl from Grade 7 in reading. Miss
Hemans retired May 2004 as principal of [instead Primary
and Junior High School.
The Academic Year beginning
September 2003 gave rise to the leadership of Acting
Principal, Mrs. Loretta Henry. With humility, confidence
in God and the support of a sixty-nine (69) member
staff, inclusive of the Guidance Counsellor,
Miss P. Forbes, she rose to the challenges of the chair
and is continuing on the path of unrelenting growth and
success left by her former Principals. Mrs. Henry now
leads the school with a population of approximately 2010
students. To date, the school has grills on all the
classrooms upstairs. The Canteen and Ancillary Staff
total seven plus five watchmen working on shift and one
(1) security guard. The water cisterns have stopped
leaking, the Clubs are very active and some of them can
be identified by their attractive uniforms. Clubs and
societies have moved from four to ten. The school has
undergone many changes, teaching styles and strategies
are more student oriented and modern technology has
become an integral part of the curriculum. Mrs. Henry is
a facilitator and changes under her tenure promise to be
positive and significant. The school caters for the
educational needs of students in the town of Linstead as
well as in neighbouring
communities, such as August Town, Bog Walk,
Princessfield, Mickleton, Banbury, Heathfield, High
Mountain, Zephyrton, Rose Hall, Commodore, Lower
Victoria, Vanity Fair, Byndloss and Charlemont. It also
caters to the wider communities which include: Jubilee
Town, Cedar Valley, Redwood, Berwick, Bonnet, Jericho,
Lluidas Vale, Bermaddy, York Street, and Juan-de-Bolas.
With a mandate for community involvement and service to
the people, this institution fosters good relationship
with the community thus facilitating the following:
Barbeque, Training for population census, Jam-Can Group,
Peace Corps Group, Training of electorate personnel and
CXC classes. Parent and Teachers’ Involvement —include:
Education Week, Career, Grade Meeting and General P.T.A.
and Parents Week activities. Today we are even more
determined to continue on an unparalleled path of
positive growth and accomplishment to be compatible with
twenty-first century teaching and learning.
Documentation on the Junior High
Linstead Primary and Junior High formerly Linstead
School and Linstead All- Age has experienced many
changes in its educational programmes. These changes
became necessary in order to cater for the needs of the
community and the students in particular. In September
1998, the school community was awakened to three major
changes within the school. The shift system ROSE (an
acronym) which means Reform of Secondary Education and
the name change from Linstead All-Age to Linstead
Primary and Junior High. The government of Jamaica had
made the decision to embark on the Reform of Secondary
Education (ROSE) in order to address a three-fold
concern about Secondary Education in all schools. The
programme was designed to provide quality access and
equity in education in all institutions offering grades
7-9 programmes. At the center of this reform was the
common curriculum and its implementation. Based on the
studies, it was noted that the new Junior High Programme
did not need a new school building, hence the shift
system which would facilitate doth Primary and Junior
High was introduced. In order to meet the requirements
of the new programme, teachers were trained to deliver
the curriculum in various institutions across Jamaica.
Training sessions, workshops and seminars were offered
to help teachers master the changes in methodology which
require a more child-centred, less teacher—dominated
approach hence the teacher was seen as a facilitator
rather than a dictator. When the ROSE Programme began,
In-service Training (i.e. Training on the job) was
offered in order to give teachers additional guidance in
the planning and delivery of content. Teacher- trainers
from Moneague Teachers College were assigned to most of
the subject areas taught. Between 1993 and 1998 fifty
All-Age schools and twenty-two secondary schools were
exposed to the Junior High Programme. Linstead Primary
and Junior High School then [instead All-Age became a
part of the programme in 1998. The core subjects
Language Arts, Mathematics, Science Social Studies,
Career Education, Resource and Technology Drama,
Guidance, Music, Religious Education and Physical
Education were included in the common curriculum. It
must be noted however; that Career Education is not
taught as a separate entity but from time to time is
infused through integration by giving students reasons
for learning various concepts and content. Resource and
Technology which is referred to as R and T for short, is
a composite subject. This area has the components of
Visual Arts, Industrial Techniques, Home and Family
Management and Agriculture and the Environment. Since
the inception of the ROSE Programme at Linstead Primary
and Junior High School, students from twenty-three
schools are being placed here as a result of the Grade
Six Achievement Test. In order to facilitate the GSAT,
students whose reading ability is below Grade 7 level, a
Literacy Initiative Programme has been designed. Mrs.
Brent- Harris, an Education Officer is supervising this
programme. Under this programme, special attention is
given to reading. These students will get the
opportunity to sit the Junior High School Certificate
Examination at Grade 9. Students are then filtered into
the traditional and newly up-graded high schools based
on their performance in the examination.
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