Our History

St. Andrew Preparatory School opened its doors on September 16, 1930 with ten students. These children ranged in ages from three and a half to seven years. Miss Adela Anderson started leadership in the school which was called “The Preparatory Department of the St. Andrew High School for Girls”. She was appointed the post of ‘Mistress-in-Charge’ on February 6, 1930 and retired in December 1950, making it twenty years of association with the institution. A look through the Log Book for this period shows the Preparatory Department making the news quite frequently. Entertainment and Prize-Giving performances were duly recorded in the Daily Gleaner while sports days for a number of years were given full coverage – attesting to the athletic prowess of Michael Manley, Eric Bell, Ramon Alberga, Fay Carpenter Simpson, Barbara Fonseca and the three Ashenheim brothers, all of whom went on to make their mark in various fields. It is important to note that the late Honourable Michael Manley, former Prime Minister of Jamaica and his brother, Dr. Douglas Manley, were two of the first ten students of the school. Michael, a leader from the very beginning, was the first Prefect of the St. Andrew Preparatory School.

The school originally housed these ten students in the garage of the High School. Within three years, they were moved into a new building. Four traditions began between the 1930s and 1950s. These were Brownies, Sports Day, Friday Pennies and the Presentation of Gifts at the Christmas Tree for distribution to various children’s homes. On the retirement of Miss Anderson in 1950, Miss Olwen Armon-Jones took over the leadership of the school. This she held until 1955. Mrs. Valentine Milner came to St. Andrew Preparatory School in 1951 as a teacher and became the ‘Mistress-in- Charge’ of the Primary Department after 5 years, a position she held for 12 years. At that time, there were 125 students on roll ranging in ages four to nine years. In 1957, the Junior Department was established, under Miss Jean Watson’s leadership, with students from the top class of the Preparatory School together with the two lower classes of the High School. The students were housed in two form rooms in the High School and moved into Cecelio Lodge by 1960.

In 1967, the Primary and Junior Departments were merged and Mrs. Milner became the first Principal of St. Andrew Preparatory School – a position she held for 15 years. Her experience here spanned 31 years. This transition, from being a small depart- ment of a high school to becoming the completely separate preparatory school it is today, took ten years. Miss Madge Broderick spent 35 years and two terms with the St. Andrew Preparatory School family. This union began in 1962. She spent 6 years as classroom teacher then was given the post of Vice Principal (the first one in the school). She spent thirteen years here then left to work at the Ministry of Education as an Education Officer. She returned in 1982 as Principal and remained in that position until her retirement in August 2004. This era spanned 22 years. The school continued to thrive. The Mighty Mice Magazine, which was started by Miss Watson in 1958, continues as an annual publication to date and includes activities and achievements for each school year.

The Parent Teachers’ Association had its inaugural meeting on February 24, 1943 and has over the years made invaluable contributions to the life of the school. They have also, since 1966, given significant contributions to Minna Carr Basic School in Cane River, nine miles from Kingston. One of the highlights of the Golden Jubilee year (1980) was the adoption of the school’s motto “Work, Play and Learn Together” which managed to define a great deal of the school’s mantra over the years.

Miss Renée Rattray, Vice Principal from September 2001 to July 2003, was appointed Principal in 2004, upon Miss Broderick’s retirement. Her love of and involvement in the Performing Arts saw the school becoming very involved in festival competitions. The numerous medals and awards received attest to the high standard of the students’ performances. Miss Rattray moved on to complete her doctoral studies.Mrs. Vivia Grant joined St. Andrew Preparatory School in September 1988 as Vice Principal. She resigned in August 1993. On returning to the school in September 1995, she became our Computer Education Teacher and whilst in that position, was asked to act as Vice Principal for one year from September 1, 2000. She was appointed Vice Principal in September 2007 until her retirement in December 2011.

Mrs. Bethinia Edwards was recruited to the staff of St. Andrew Preparatory School in an acting position in September 1986 as a Class Teacher. She was subsequently offered a permanent position in the school’s Junior Department as Teacher Librarian. In September 2000, she was appointed Senior Teacher in the Primary Department and in January 2012, appointed Vice Principal.

In September 2008, Mrs. Karlene Buckle-Fraser was appointed the school’s sixth principal. She has pushed the enrollment from 450 in 2008 to 540 students now in 2013. Mrs. Buckle-Fraser focuses on Cross Curricular Integration, Technology in Education, Structured Play, Media Literacy, Inclusion, Differentiation and Community Outreach. Students are stimulated by magnetic wall games affixed to the walls in both departments, beautifully painted playground markings, rewards/ incentives for academic excellence and positive attitudes and extra-curricular activities to show off their talents.

The staff includes rounded, motivated, hardworking teachers who create enjoyable learning experiences for our students. Today, the school boasts two Resource Rooms, a Computer Laboratory, a Science Laboratory and a Multimedia Room which are fully utilized daily. We dream of converting our Media Room and Library to electronic hubs especially for students with special education needs.

“The work goes on, the cause endures, the hope still lives and the dream shall never die.” (Edward M. Kennedy, 1980)