ST.
ANNUAL REPORT
ACADEMIC YEAR 2023- 2024
Chairman- Mr. Radley Reid, Chaplains, Members of the Board of Management, Officials of the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth and Information, Representatives of the Church. Honorees and other Distinguished Guests. Vice Principals, Members of Staff past and present, Parents/Guardians, Awardees, Students and Friends. Good morning. I present the Annual Report for St. Andrew High School for Girls for the Academic year 2023- 2024.
Enrolment – 1424
Board of Management
We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the previous Board of Management, whose term ended on December 31, 2023. Special thanks to Ms. Rachel McLarty for her passionate and dedicated leadership during her three-year term as Chairman. We are also grateful for her continued service as Deputy Chairman.
In January 2024, we welcomed a new Board, and we would like to make a special acknowledgment of Mr. Radley Reid, who has served the Board of Management for nearly 20 years consecutively. We are pleased to have him return as the Board Chairman.
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We thank the entire Board for their unwavering leadership, expertise, time, and prayers. Your commitment and service are deeply appreciated.
We also extend our heartfelt thanks to our Chaplains, Rev. Stephen Mullings of the Methodist Church and Rev. Astor Carlyle of the United Church, for their faithful and inspiring ministry to the students during weekly devotions. The words you have shared with the girls and staff have been both challenging and encouraging, leaving a lasting impact. We are deeply grateful for your commitment and for being here with us each week.
Condolences
This has been a very difficult time for our school community. We mourn the loss of several beloved individuals who have made significant contributions to the growth and development of our school.
In June, we lost Mr. Michael Reid, who served as one of our ground men for five years. At the start of the current academic year, we also said farewell to former Mathematics teacher Mrs. Zelpha Smith and honorary life member of our PTA, Mrs. Maureen Chang. Each of these individuals leaves behind a lasting legacy, and their presence will be deeply missed by all of us.
We express condolences to members of our school community who lost loved ones this year. We lost grandparents, brothers, fathers and mothers. We continue to pray for the Lord’s peace for all who lost loved ones this year.
Administrative and Ancillary Staff
I am deeply grateful for the expert leadership of our Bursar, Mrs. Carrol Handy, along with the invaluable support of Senior Secretary, Miss Julene Umraugh, and Operations Manager, Mrs. Janyce Hearne. Our administrative and ancillary staff worked tirelessly to ensure the smooth operation of the school.
Thank you for all your hard work and dedication! Your efforts have not gone unnoticed, and we sincerely appreciate everything you have done to keep the school running smoothly.
Administrative and Ancillary Staff Function
This year, the Annual Christmas function for the Administrative and Ancillary Staff hosted by the PTA was held in the Margaret Gartshore Hall December 12, 2023. The Guest Speaker was old girl, Joan Andrea Hutchinson. Staff members were presented with a cash gift in lieu of the usual lunch and light refreshments were served. Presentations were made to the Ancillary Staff and Administrative Staff of the Year 2023.
Ancillary Staff of the Year
1st Miss Cecelia Maragh
2nd Mr. David Facey
3rd Miss Maverine Johnson
Administrative Staff of the Year
1st. Miss Denise Deleon
2nd Mrs. Cassandra Palmer-Lewis
3rd Miss Julene Umraugh
Summer Projects
I am happy to report that our major summer project for this year was the installation of container units for the ancillary staff lounge and caretakers’ cottage. A lot of maintenance work was done on the buildings. There is a serious problem with termites on the campus. We have to spray termites quite regularly.
98th Commemoration Day- September 21, 2023
We celebrated our 98th Commemoration on the school’s birthday, September 21, 2023 in the Garden Theatre! The Staff Choir, Dance Troupe and School Choir made outstanding presentations. Our chaplains Rev. Stephen Mullings and Rev. Astor Carlyle both in attendance. Thanks to Rev. Carlyle for representing the Board of Management as both the Board Chairman and the Deputy Chairman were off the island at this time. Dr. Daniel Thomas from the Love March Movement, gave a relevant, thoughtprovoking message to all present.
For session B, we had the students in grade levels engaging in inspiring, motivating sessions with members of the academic staff and Ms. Nadine Blair for Love 101. The feedback from students has been good for the most part. However, some students mainly in the lower school had issue with the guest speakers discouragement of abortion. The students believe that it is okay under some circumstances.
Offerings from this year’s commemoration service were donated to Bull Savannah Infant School, Stratmore Children’s Home, Race Course Basic School and the Fund for Retired Ministers in the Methodist and United Churches. $928,456.00 was collected in offering.
National Educational Inspectorate (NEI) Inspection
We had our NEI inspection on Wednesday, November 15, 2023. The day went very well. The feedback from the team on the day of the inspection was good. They spoke about the collaborative, innovative, and inclusive leadership at the school. They were pleased with the positive attitude that the students demonstrated towards learning as well as collaboration among students in class and the well-rounded and courteous students that we have. The main area of improvement that they pointed out on the day of the inspection was that teachers should make an effort to ensure cross-subject links across different disciplines- integration of learning.
We were able to maintain our exceptionally high rating. Inspectors identified the following key strengths in the work of the school:
1. Exceptional Leadership and Management: The school benefits from strong, innovative leadership and a culture of excellence sustained by effective stakeholder collaboration.
2. High Academic Performance: Students consistently outperform national averages in key subjects like English and Mathematics.
3. Robust Curriculum and Enhancement Programs: A broad, dynamic curriculum and extensive extracurricular activities cater to diverse student needs and interests.
4. Strong Community and Parental Engagement: Effective communication and collaboration with parents and the community to enhance the educational experience.
5. Positive Student Behaviours and Attitudes: Students display attitudes conducive to learning, with high levels of participation and engagement.
6. Effective Use of Resources: Efficient deployment and use of human and material resources support high-quality teaching and student achievement.
The following recommendations were given:
1. While exhibiting stellar practices overall, injecting more creativity into instruction and providing written feedback can further enrich learning. Teachers should:
a. Increase focus on creative and innovative teaching methods to engage students further and encourage higher order thinking skills.
b. Strengthen the feedback mechanism in assessments to provide more detailed, constructive feedback for student improvement.
2. The guidance counsellors should initiate a formal needs analysis within the guidance programme to better cater to the evolving needs of students.
General Activities/ Special Events took place
Heritage Week Presentation
Disaster Preparedness Week
Parents’ Month Presentation/ Parent Forum
Evening of Culture
Science Week
Awards Ceremony
Christmas Service
Christmas Term and End of Year Examinations
Grade 7 Sports Day and Field Trips
Grade 8 and 9 Cultural Programmes
Old Girls Carol Service
Leadership Training Seminar Grade 12
Grade 11 Examination Preparation Seminar
Earthquake Awareness Week
Students’ Council Week
Africa Day
Math Week
ISCF Week
Cyber Awareness Week
Career Week and Expo
Ancillary and Administrative Staff Seminars
Grief Management Seminars
Modern Languages days
Pop Up Shopsf
Valedictory and Farewell Services
Summer School
Summer Enrichment Programme
Jamaica Day 2024
Jamaica Day was held on Friday, March 7, 2024, in the Garden Theatre under the theme: “Celebrating Jamaica: Authentic and Unique……a Fi Wi TREND a Dweet”
The day commenced with a Civic Ceremony at 9:00 am, featuring the esteemed Jamaican Actress Rosie Murray as the guest speaker. Murray's inspirational words resonated with students and attendees, setting the tone for a day filled with pride and cultural celebration. The Civic Ceremony culminated in the eagerly anticipated unveiling of the Mr. & Miss Jamaica Day contest, adding an element of excitement and anticipation to the festivities. This year marked the first staging of the contest, with teachers representing each parish. The winners, Mr. Khalid Lawrence representing Manchester and Miss L’Jehovica Bracket representing Kingston, were crowned amidst cheers and applause at the Jamaica Day concert in the afternoon.
Throughout the day, students immersed themselves in a plethora of activities, reflecting the diverse cultural heritage of Jamaica. From traditional games in the field to board games, donkey rides, and hand cart rides, there was something for everyone to enjoy. Storytelling sessions captivated audiences, transporting them to the heart of Jamaican folklore and tradition, while the hype zone buzzed with energy and excitement.
Jamaica Day 2024 was a testament to the rich cultural atmosphere and vibrant spirit of Jamaica. As attendees departed the school grounds, their hearts were filled with pride and a renewed sense of appreciation for the island's authentic and unique heritage. It was truly a beautiful day, showcasing the essence of what it means to be Jamaican. We were able to record a surplus of $3.2 million from the event.
This academic year we hope to have an even grander event!
Walkathon
The PTA hosted the walkathon on Saturday March 16, 2024. Run Di Road was great! The students and their friends (the cousins) had a fantastic day!
Students Performance Reviews
Students Performance Reviews were held from January 31- February 2, 2024. The turnout of parents/ guardians was very good on the review days.
We are pleased that for all Grade levels except Grade 13, the percentage of reports collected on the specified days was over 90%.
One concern, however, is that although parents are coming to collect the reports not all parents are making use of the opportunity to meet with the teachers to discuss their daughter/ward’s progress.
Grade Level Meetings
This year all our grade level meetings with parents were held face to face this year. On average 90% of parents attended the meetings. This continues to demonstrate the parents’ commitment to their daughter’s education! We continue to partner with our parents/ guardians for the best for our girls.
Parent Teachers Association
Ms. Nicole Roberts was re-elected president of the PTA in July 2023. Ms. Roberts and her team of parents must be commended for the herculean work that they put in this year. Of particular note this year was the PTA's major project—the renovation of the school's gym at a cost of $5.8 Million.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who supported the PTA's fundraising efforts, including the Evening of Culture, drive-through BBQs, and Walkathon.
A special thank you as well to the teachers- our Performing Arts teachers for their execution of the Evening of Culture, parents and students who played an integral role in the success of these events. Your hard work and enthusiasm made all the difference, and we are truly grateful for your contributions.
Old Girls Association
As an Old Girl, I am continually overwhelmed with pride and gratitude as our alumnae—both locally and overseas—continue to show incredible support for the current students at our school. The generosity and dedication of our Old Girls consistently exceed our expectations.
A special mention must go to the local chapter of the Old Girls Association, led by Mrs. Julaine Lumsden- Manderson, for their ongoing positive impact. Their continued involvement in devotions, Leadership Development, Mentorship, the Big Sister Programme, and the Love Drives has been invaluable. We are deeply appreciative of their commitment to uplifting the school community.
Foundation- Student Hostel
It is Open!
We are thrilled to announce that our student housing facility is now open! Currently, five boarders are enjoying this new space. After ceasing boarding in the 1970s, it is a wonderful milestone for us to be able to offer first-class housing for the girls once again.
This $13 million project was entirely funded through the generous donations of our Old Girls and friends, both locally and overseas. The outpouring of support has been nothing short of overwhelming, and we are deeply grateful to everyone who contributed to bringing this vision to life.
The SAHS Foundation did an outstanding job of bringing together the resources required for this project. Special thanks to Director Christine Stiebel (Old Girl) and her husband, Douglas Stiebel, for their tireless efforts in making this possible.
Student Leadership
Head Girl Abigail Nembhard, the Deputy Head Girls Jada Wilson and Shanielle Muirhead, and the team of Senior Prefects, Prefects, and Sub-Prefects worked exceptionally well with their younger sisters. The student leaders provided outstanding leadership this year, collaborating closely with teachers to ensure that our high standard of discipline was maintained throughout the school.
Students’ Council
President of the Students’ Council Anna Madden, and her executive were active in the school community. The Council continued to be relevant to the needs of their colleagues and provided opportunities to listen to their constituents and bring their concerns to the highest possible level. Students’ Council week was February 5- 9, 2024. Activities included a Picnic on the Hockey Field, Afro Day, Cake Sale, and Crazy Hat and Tie Day. During the week, the council also held town hall meetings with the student population to hear their views on relevant matters.
Honour Roll and Awards
This year 86 students Grades 7-13 qualified for the Honour Roll based on their excellent performance in the Christmas Term Examinations 2023.
At our Awards Ceremony today, we will acknowledge 200 students who have received awards for Excellence and 231 for Good Progress. 255 students (grade 10-12) will receive the award for school citizenship. At our Farewell Service in June, 77 grade 13 students received their award for School Citizenship. In May 2023, 175 lower school students received their school citizenship award, I ask that those students stand at this time.
Special commendations must be given to our top students from each grade level.
GRADE 7: AZIZA SAMUELS
GRADE 8: ABBIGAIL JOHNSON
GRADE 9: DAENA PEART
GRADE 10: ALAINA BROWN
GRADE 11: ABIGAIL WALKER
GRADE 12: ANNA MADDEN
GRADE 13: NIA-ASHLEY HARRIS
Student Behaviour
The Grade Coordinators for the Academic Year 2023-2024 were:
Grade 7
Grade 8
Grade 9
Grade 10
Mrs. Peta- Gaye Davis
Mrs. Melissa Shields- Archer (Acting)
Ms. Juneau Williams (Acting)
Mrs. Monique Nelson (Acting) & Mrs. Kay- Semone Pryce- Robinson (Secondment for 8 months)
Grade 11
Grade 12
Grade13
Mr. Dwayne Gayle (Acting) & Ms. Opal Morrison
Mrs. Audria Barrett- Doyley (Acting)
Ms. Koreen Brown
Our Grade Coordinators and teachers continue to face the challenge of refocusing students to the expected behaviors here at St. Andrew High. While most students have embraced the guidelines designed to support their development, there are still a few students, for various reasons, who have struggled to adhere to these expectations. We remain committed to working with these young ladies to help them adjust their behavior, as we are determined to maintain a peaceful and productive learning environment where all students can thrive.
Special commendations go to the Grade Coordinators and Form Teachers who worked tirelessly to ensure that our girls continued to learn and grow in a well-ordered, disciplined environment—one of the hallmarks of St. Andrew High School. The dedication of this team has been instrumental in upholding our core values and ensuring that they remain at the heart of everything we do.
I must say a personal thank you to Vice Principals Mrs. Abigail James and Ms. Cherylia Bhoorasingh as well as Mrs. Alicia Bernard-Gordon (who acted as Vice Principal while I was on sick leave and Mrs. James who acted as Principal). You were on the ground, staying connected with the girls and ensuring that they remained on track. Your relentless dedication this year has been invaluable! I truly couldn’t have done my job without your support. Thank you, ladies, for your hard work and commitment!
Academic Performance
The Heads of Department held the reins of their department steady. Commendations to
The Heads of Department/Teachers in charge for the academic year 2023-2024 were:
Business Education
Geography
Guidance & Counselling
Home Economics
History/Sociology
Information Technology
Language Arts & Literatures
Mathematics/Technical Drawing
Modern Languages
Performing Arts
Ms. Melesha Pryce
Ms. Michelle Rhone
Mrs. Renae Cummings-Williams
Ms. Ouidamyrl Williams
Mrs. Karen Brown-Chambers
Mrs. Thalia Batchelor (Acting)
Mrs. Chantay Rodriques (Acting)
Mrs. Dawn Thompson- Clarke
Mrs. Alicia Bernard-Gordon
Mrs. Nadette Grant- Malcolm
Physical Education
Ms. Lauri- Ann Richards who acted for Ms. Paula Thompson who was on eight moths leave.
Religious Education
Science
Learning Enhancement
Visual Arts
Safety and Security
Student Management System – RenWeb
Timetabling
Strategic Development Coordinator
Mrs. Stacy-Ann Zodge
Mr. Franklin Burrell
Miss Ingrid Newman
Mr. Andrae Simpson (Acting)
Ms. Michelle Anderson (Acting)
Ms. Nicole Evans (Acting)
Mrs. Alicia Blake
Mrs. Sydonna McCain
Kudos, thanks, and a big ‘up’ to all our teachers! You worked incredibly hard this year! It was not an easy year, but you demonstrated that with hard work, determination, and love, we can achieve anything. Job well done, colleagues! Your dedication and passion truly made a difference.
Education Week- May 5-10
The first week in May is celebrated as Education Week. Thanks to the PTA and the Students’ Council who made special presentations to teachers on Wednesday May 8, 2024.
Student’s Choice Teacher of the Year Award 2023-2024
1st Mr. Franklin Burrell
2nd Miss Shanique Powell
3rd Miss Monique McFarlane
Staff Stars
1 Mr./Ms. Prepared
2 The "Master Responder"
Miss Nicole Evans
Mr. Leacroft Bolt
3 The Fun Loving One Miss Shanique Powell
4 Mr./Ms. Ever Present Mr. Junior Nembhard
5 Mr./Ms. Punctuality Miss. Marsha Johnson
6 Mr./Ms. NO NONSENSE
7 Mr./Ms. Efficiency
8 Mr./Ms. Spirit of SAHS
9 The Engager
10 Teacher Highlight
Ms. Koren Brown
Mr. Franklin Burrell
Miss Nicole Evans
Miss Nicole Evans
Miss Gertrude Henry
Form Teacher of the Year Award 2023/2024
1st 7A
Mrs. Kerry-Ann Jones-Burnett
2nd 7E Miss Monique McFarlane
3rd 11R Miss Davia Dennis