Grange calls on communities to support Spanish Town High
MEMBER of Parliament for Central St Catherine, Olivia ‘Babsy’ Grange, has called on the surrounding communities to support the development of Spanish Town High School.
The MP said that it is the success of institutions, like Spanish Town High, “which will convince the people outside of Spanish Town that we are able to produce doctors, lawyers and adults of good repute rather than criminals”.
She said that the surrounding communities had a role to play in securing the school, including protecting the staff and students and helping them to succeed in their efforts.
Grange was speaking at the celebration of the 40th anniversary of the founding of the school at the Church of God of Prophecy, Old Harbour Road, recently.
She said she was proud that despite the many obstacles the town faces, its high schools continued to show a determination to excel, which encourages hope in its future.
“I commend the teachers, including the principal, vice-principal, as well as the school board for the tremendous job they are doing against very high odds,” the MP said.
She reminded the students that it was upon their shoulders that the future of the school rests.
“Be gracious to its legacy while you are here and always remember it is still your school, even after you have left. Show Jamaica that you don’t need the police to have a safe school, you can make it safe on your own,” she said.
Greetings were also brought to the function by the principal, Audrey Edwards; chairman, Finzi-Bradley Smith; senior education officer, Esmie McKenzie; and, PTA president, Verrol Blake.
Spanish Town High School was founded in 1967 as a junior secondary school. It was upgraded to a secondanry school in 1974, comprehensive high in 1995 and high school in 2000.