It is indeed a distinct honour and privilege to serve as Headmaster of Munro College as it marks this glorious milestone. Munro College is Jamaica’s premier boys’ school and the only remaining all male boarding institution in the island.

Munro College encapsulates a rare pedigree among local high schools. It possesses an old world charm that is juxtaposed alongside all the energy hope and optimism the future brings with it. Long before Martin Luther King Jnr. Spoke of having a dream, Robert Hugh Munro and Caleb Dickenson fostered an audacious vision, a dream that eventually evolved into our beloved Munro College – the indomitable city on a hill.

Throughout its glorious one hundred and sixty year history, this city set on a hill has contributed significantly to national, regional, and international development in a multiplicity of disciplines, from the field of science to politics and everything in between. As we celebrate the 160th year, we can take pride in the rich legacy of Munro College and look forward with faith in the amazing opportunities that exist to rekindle and redefine for a new generation those virtues that we hold sacred.

It is with great pride and conviction that I assure you, that Munro College under my stewardship will remain committed to its core mandate of producing young men of honour, pursuing excellence and leading by positive example. Despite the many challenges, the school continues to provide the requisite support, discipline and structure needed to transform young boys into gentlemen of the finest ilk. In addition, the school community will endeavour to promote and foster opportunities for leadership and character development in all our students through a wide variety of curricular and co-curricular programmes.

Academic excellence will continue to be a fundamental focus of the school’s mandate. We take great pride in fostering the level of excellence embodied in students such as Jade Francis, awarded most outstanding Science student in Jamaica by the Jamaica Association of Principals of Secondary Schools (JAPSS) for his outstanding regional performance in the 2015 CSEC examinations. Such feats underscore the rich quality and pedigree of this one hundred and sixty year old institution. Many of these students excel in a variety of sporting disciplines and are recipients of a variety of international and local scholarships and bursaries, for this we laud and celebrate their commitment to excellence both in the classroom and on the field. Of special mention is the success of our under 16 footballers, who were just crowned the All Island Rural Champions. Our cricketers also inspired us with their flamboyance and added much excitement to the 2016 Headley Cup season. The Munro College Schools’ Challenge, basketball, badminton and hockey teams all did admirably in their respective competitions. Of special mention this year, is our Track and Field team, which despite being in a rebuilding phase, still improved in the ISSA Boys’ Championship by bettering its previous ranking and setting the stage for a return to the winner’s circle. However, without doubt our most glorious moment of the 2015- 2016 academic year came when through the combined efforts of our debaters: Mario Plummer Congo-Nyah, Owayne Honeyghan and Nahjae Nunes, Munro College triumphed over our arch-rival Cornwall College to be crowned the 2016 Burger King National Debating Champions; a truly remarkable moment and a perfect tribute to the160th anniversary.

As we continue to inculcate sound values and principles in an all-round education which seeks to develop future luminaries in an increasingly competitive global environment, the administration, teachers, support staff, old boys, parents, and most importantly, the students, are all determined to remain fiercely competitive and confront the challenges that lie ahead. I am of the conviction that Munro College’s best years are yet to come. With God as our master and guide we can confront the challenges before us, confident that success awaits us if we unite and build upon the rich legacy that exists.

I wish to specially thank, on behalf of the students, parents and staff of Munro College all our benefactors, loyal supporters and specifically the tremendous passion demonstrated by members of the alumni and in particular the Old Boys’ Association and its various chapters for their continued support of their beloved school. The present students and staff are eternally grateful. We cherish your selflessness and dedication. In addition, we appreciate your continued contributions and support. The recent launch of an eighteen million dollar scholarship fund is testament to this groups continued commitment to Munro College’s role in transforming young lives. It would be remiss of me not to acknowledge our wonderful Hamptonian sisters who have cheered for and supported Munro College over the years.

I take great pride in being associated with the esteemed ‘Munro College’ brand. The school remains a fortress in the sky, an impregnable city upon a hill, and a testament to the impact that quality education can have on transforming the human spirit and the ripple effect it can have in improving the fortunes of young men, families, communities, a small island state, and dare I say the world.

In closing, I borrow a phrase from one of our sacred cheers – “Bobo ski watten talla alla ski wah!!”

I invite you to join me in wishing Munro College congratulations on 160 magnificent years of service to mankind.

Mark Smith

HEADMASTER