In the years prior to 1925 the Presbyterian Church of Jamaica and The Wesleyan Methodist Church (both keenly interested in education) were independently trying to start a secondary school for Girls.

Leaders of both churches came together and agreed that it would be better to pool resources and establish one school on a cooperative basis. A “Basis of Union” was drawn up and they agreed that the school should be for boarders and day girls and that the site should be near Kingston.

Rev Armon-Jones felt that the founders were specially guided by God in every step they took. In early 1925, despite limited financial resources, they secured from Cecil Lindo, 8 acres of land surrounding the substantial and spacious Cecelio Lodge House – with gardens, tennis courts and a large hockey field. Next they had fun turning the rooms into dormitories, class rooms, staff rooms and the large garage was converted into three class rooms.

On June 8, 1925, the first Board Meeting was held at Cecelio Lodge and the school opened on September 21, 1925 as the Jamaica High School for Girls with 21 scholars (10 “day girls” and 11 “boarders). A Dedicatory Service was held on the lawn.

In the School’s prospectus the purpose was set out as “to provide a secondary education for Boarders and Day scholars.” It would aim at the Christian education of each girl keeping in mind the fourfold development, physical, mental, spiritual and social so as to equip her with a healthy body, a well-trained mind, religious habits and ideals, to gain her own living and to serve her community worthily.” The school’s first uniform was a white blouse with navy and gold striped tie, "middy" navy skirt and straw hat.

The First 21

The first Headmistress was Miss Jenny Gartshore who suggested the school Motto – “Life More Abundant.” This was taken from the New Testament book of St. John, Chapter 10 Verse 10: - “...I came that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly”

Jenny Gartshore

Miss Gartshore only served one term as, in early1926, she married and migrated. Her sister Miss Margaret Gartshore took over as Headmistress Miss Doris StockHausen continued as Vice Principal.


Doris StockHausen and Margaret Gartshore

In October 1929 the school qualified to become a Government Grant-Aided Secondary School. By this time there were 153 scholars of whom 51 were boarders. The Jamaica Schools’ Commission asked that the name be changed to St. Andrew High School for Girls. The uniform was changed in 1938, to a dubonnet tunic with white blouse and a dubonet beret.

The mould for the school crest was presented to the school at the Old Girl’s Association’s first reunion dinner on April 6, 1940. Designed by an Old Girl, Ms Joan Humphrey: To the left of the crest is the white cross on blue background – the flag of our patron saint, St. Andrew. On the right is the flag of St. George (England) with five pineapples. This was taken from the first coat of arms, given to Jamaica in 1661.

By 1940 there were 270 scholars (68 boarders, 202 day scholars) building and expansion programme also began. The estimated cost for the whole range of buildings which was to be erected section by section was £6000.00.

In 1944 the block of buildings to the west comprising large and small laboratories, recreation room and library was built. The library’s stained glass window was made by Rev. Wade and dedicated to the memory of Rev J. F. Gartshore, secretary on the Board of Management from 1925 to 1939. In the 1950’s an additional laboratory, four new forms to the north-west and the new hall were built and 6 Cecelio Avenue was purchased. The year 1959 saw the renovation of the western block creating additional laboratory facilities.

The Hall

In 1957 after 31 years as Headmistress, Miss. Margaret Gartshore was succeeded by Miss Mary Dawson.


Mary Dawson

In 1958 the school entered into a new phase of its history with the introduction of the Common Entrance Examination resulting in an increase in Government grant-in-aid. Under-age separation was completed, producing two schools, St. Andrew High School (for older girls), grades 7-13 and St. Andrew Preparatory School (which since its inception in 1930 had been a department of the high school) for children 4 to 11 years (kindergarden to Grade 6).

In 1960 a new uniform was created when the dubonnet material became unavailable. Thus from 1960 to 1971 students wore a red, white and gray gingham check tunic, with brown straw hat, narrow brim. The sixth formers wore a pleated skirt and tie in the gingham with a white blouse.

 
Lower School 1962

Sixth Form 1964

In 1962 the school started working towards the new Library to facilitate the ever growing population. By 1964 an elegant library was constructed from funds raised by parents and “Old Girls” of the School.

Boarding accommodation was phased out in 1965 giving room for the Craft, Commercial and Home Economics Departments (introduced in 1957) and an increased enrollment. The Mary Dawson Swimming Pool was constructed in 1968.

Opening of the swimming pool


Fay Saunders

Succeeding Miss Dawson as Headmistress in the Christmas of 1968 was a Former President of the Jamaica Teacher’s Association, Mrs. Fay Saunders. Mrs. Saunders brought with her new methods and new uniforms (gold, blue and lilac) 1971 to 1990

After 1968 the school expanded from three streams to four streams. With this expansion came one additional block which provided new science laboratories. This was done with the assistance of the Ministry of Education. Within this period also it was found necessary to double the size of the school’s library and so phase two was completed. The population had now grown to 880 students and so the tuck-shop was now inadequate to serve the needs of the student body. As a result, the canteen was greatly expanded to provide covered areas with seating accommodation. The kitchen was upgraded and a store-room built.

In 1974 Mrs. Saunders was succeeded by Miss Joan Reader who had served as Vice Principal from 1964. Old Girl Mrs. Dahlia Repole became Vice Principal in 1975, and was succeeded by Miss Dahlia Ashmeade in 1978.

Joan Reader

In 1977 an Audiovisual Center was completed to help enhance the learning environment. This was a self help project that was accomplished with some assistance from the Ministry of Education and was spearheaded by the Golden Jubilee Committee to mark the school’s 50th Anniversary.

In 1978 another era began in the life of St. Andrew when the second shift was instituted, with Mrs Norma Darlington as Vice Principal in charge, enabling the school population to increase to 1320 students. At this time the students themselves raised funds and a much needed school bus was purchased.

In 1983 the Canada Room of the Library was added and the Fay Saunders Counselling Center was constructed to facilitate the increased need for student guidance.

By 1988 the school family had raised the necessary funds to start the Vocational Block to upgrade the facilities for Art, Craft, Food and Nutrition, Clothing and Textiles, Computer Science and Business Education. This building was completed for the start of the 1988-89 Academic Year and this was made possible with a loan of J$1,000,000 from Victoria Mutual Building Society

With the construction of the M. Joan Reader Vocational Block in 1988, the school was able to revert to a “one-shift” system and by 1991 the problems which had been created by the two shift system in relation to the school environment, personal attitudes and performance were diminishing.

Dahlia Repole

Miss Reader was succeeded in January 1989 by Mrs. Dahlia Repole. By September of that year Mrs. Darlington resigned to take up the position as principal of Shortwood Teachers College and Old Girl Mrs. Yvette Smith succeeded her as Vice Principal. In 1996 Mrs. Smith resigned to take up the position as Principal of St. Hugh’s High School and she was succeeded by Mrs. Esther Tyson who resigned in January 2000 to take up the position of Principal of Ardenne High School.

In 1990, the uniform changed back to dubonnet. First to fifth forms wore a pleated dubonnet skirt and a grey blouse with grey and dubonnet epaulets. The sixth formers wore an a-line skirt with a grey double-breasted jacket piped with dubonnet.

In 1991 the school gave birth to a separate tertiary department utilizing the commercial sixth form unit. The St. Andrew Business College then provided graduates with additional options to obtain training and certification at the middle management level. This unit was upgraded to the St. Andrew Community College in 1993 and established links with the University of Technology offering year one of the Diploma in Business Administration. The College was however closed in 2001.

In 1995 Miss Dahlia Ashmeade retired and Mrs. Sharon Reid succeeded her as Vice Principal. In 2000 Mrs. Repole resigned to take up the position of Principal of Excelsior Community College and she was succeeded by Mrs. Sharon Reid. Vice Principals, Mrs. Paulette Logan and Mrs. Allison Bowes assumed their positions in January and November 2000 respectively.

Just in time for the 75th Anniversary, September 2000, the uniform for the first to fifth formers changed to a dubonnet tunic and a grey blouse with dubonnet piping on the sleeve. The sixth form uniform however remained unchanged.

In 2001, the Information Technology was separated from the Mathematics Department and established as an independent unit in order to focus on the development of this area and to emphasise the importance of integrating technology across the curriculum. The Performing Arts department was established in 2002 to unify the focus and encourage further development of the Performing Arts in the institution.

In 2003 a third floor was added to the Science Block to accommodate the increasing numbers of Sixth Form students. The Old Home Economics Lab was also converted into the School’s Bookshop, “Essentials”.

In 2004, a Student Resource Centre was introduced to identify learning needs and develop programs to facilitate continuous growth thus challenging each student to maximize her own potential. A new cafeteria was also constructed and the Student Technology Centre was opened. This Centre gives students access to state of the art technology outside of class time.

Sports and Games continue to play a vital role in the life of the school contributing to many of the awards and cups won by the girls. Students are encouraged to join one of the many clubs and societies and involvement in community activities has increased thus, enabling them to gain real life experiences that contribute positively to their personal development.

The history of the school must record the tremendous effort of the school family – teachers, students, parents, old girls and friends in its development over the years. The contribution of Old Girls Association and the Parent Teachers Association has been invaluable as they continue to support the school in many ways.

As the St. Andrew High School Family looks back on its remarkable achievements and as we shape the future and set new objectives, the goal will continue to be Life More Abundant.