A shift from the dull black-and-white uniform at Tarrant High to a more vibrant combination of royal blue, yellow and white has lifted the spirits of the students at the St Andrew institution.

“I am really happy that the school made the decision to change the uniform,” said 15-year-old Malika Collins. “It really makes me feel better.”

Students, especially girls, complained that in the past they were subjected to teasing by their peers from other schools because of the colour of their uniform — long, black pleated skirt, black belt, white blouse and a black tie for girls in the upper school; and black, pleated bottom tunic and white blouse for the juniors. The boys wore black trousers, white shirt and black tie.

“Many times they would call us the funeral school because of the uniform. Now all of that has changed,” another student told the Jamaica Observer.

Now the black skirt and tunic have been replaced by royal blue with bright yellow belts in the case of the girls; the boys in the lower school wear full khaki uniforms and those in the upper school, khaki pants and white shirts. A bright, blue-and-yellow striped tie is now worn by senior students.

“Since the change in uniform people look at us differently. Students are equally excited and I am confident that it will bring about positive results at the school,” said another student, Marvin Campbell.

Residents who live in the vicinity of the school also welcomed the change.

“Mi really proud to see the changes, the place start look like a school now,” said Hazel Turner, noting that she disliked the old uniform.

Marie Pryce, a vendor who operates a shop near the school, said the new-look uniform has brightened the area.

“With all of the changes, especially to the uniform, the place just bright; the place look much better and the students appear much happier,” Pryce told the Observer.

Teachers at the school said the new-look uniform is not the only change at the institution.

New principal at the school, Collette Feurtado Pryce, told the Observer that along with the new uniform, the school has implemented several changes to improve the aesthetics and bolster the curriculum.

“These changes are all part of efforts to improve the performance of students and to reach out to the community at large,” she explained.

Vice-principal Nicola Blake also shared a similar opinion, explaining further that teachers were confident that this year would see a

marked improvement in the students’ performance at the institution.

Blake said with changes to the curriculum, grade 10 students will be doing fewer Caribbean Secondary Education Certification exams, which will allow them to better focus on She said prior to now, the school used the outmoded Junior Secondary School curriculum resulting in upper school students sitting up to 12 subjects in instances. Additionally, she said a programme is now in place to identify weaknesses among students once they start attending the school.

Both Blake and Pryce had high praises for former Ardenne High principal Esther Tyson who served as acting principal at Tarrant over the last academic year. During her tenure, Tyson implemented a number of programmes to lift the profile of the school, and motivate and instil discipline among the students.

They said the changes Tyson had brought to the institution have impacted not only the students, but also people living in surrounding communities. Among the changes is the installation of an intercom system over which positive messages, including Bible scriptures, are aired in the mornings and after school. The Florida Chapter of the Tarrant Alumni Assaciation played a key role in the acquisition of the system.

“The introduction of the new system has had a positive impact on students and even the community at large whose residents appear to look forward to hearing the positive messages and scriptures before the devotions and the national anthem every morning,”

said Blake.

“A visit to the school on any given day will see students halting their activities while the National Anthem is being played. Now even citizens in the community are following,” she added.

Hazel Turner, a resident, agreed.

“I really like the idea. The teachers bring in the students on a prayer every morning and let them out on the same note after school; that is very positive,” said Hazel Turner who lives near the school.