GRANGE HILL, Westmoreland — For 100 years, the Grange Hill Primary School in Westmoreland has remained committed to providing high quality to its students.

Established in 1924, the school has grown to become a centre of excellence, catering to the well-being of children in Westmoreland and its environs.

‘Grange Hill Primary 100: Celebrating the past, embracing the present and positioning for the future’ is the theme for the school’s centennial celebration which started on Sunday with a church service.

On Monday, the school continued its celebration with a march from its original location in Sterling to Cushoo Walk where it is now situated.

The day ahead was packed with fun and excitement as a fair was held at the school with several external companies in attendance.

Speaking at the service on Sunday, state minister in the Ministry of Education Marsha Smith lauded the institution on what she described as a joyful milestone.

“I have to agree with the story when you reach 99 and get out you feel as if you are better off making one. But to have made 99 and you are out, you feel even more disappointed than the person who went for a duck. When we get to 100 years it is something that makes us joyful. And that’s what today is; today is a day when we express great joy in this milestone,” Smith said as she compared the milestone to that of a game of cricket.

She acknowledged that arriving at the century milestone could not have been easy.

“It is no small feat. The school has been able to get through the various challenges… and has provided primary-level education for many persons in the community and the wider parish,” she told parents, students and the staff who joined in the celebration.

“Your educators, administrators and ancillary staff have played a central role in training and developing the minds of young Jamaicans in this area, guiding them into becoming productive citizens who have and are contributing to the development of Jamaica and the world,” added Smith as she noted that not many schools have reached this milestone.

In the meantime, in his address principal of the school Clayton Smith boasted of its success stories over the years.

He pointed out that two past principals of Grange Hill Primary have schools which have been named in their honour; Godfrey Stewart High school’ and Sir Clifford Campbell Primary. Sir Clifford was Jamaica’s first native governor general.

“The school has served the community well,” added Smith.

He said the likes of Moses Chybar (businessman and president of the Westmoreland Chamber of Commerce); Judge Patrick Robinson; Ambassador Derrick Heaven; parliamentarian Ian Hayles; Dr Winston Dawes; Marlene Malahoo-Forte; Dennis Haughton and athletes Ronald Levy and Tina and Tia Clayton, were all past students of the institution.

Meanwhile education officer for the Ministry of Education Region 4, who is assigned to the institution, Warren Brown, lauded the school on its 100th milestone.

“For Grange Hill to come this far, 100 years, it says a lot about the school, school management, the type of board that we have had and it says a lot about the state of the community,” said Brown as he declared that the school’s achievement should not be trivialised.

Grange Hill Primary was taken off the shift system last September following a project undertaken by the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF).

This saw the construction of an eight-classroom block, eight toilets, including two stalls for the physically disabled, a sick bay with bathroom, a guidance counsellor’s office, a staff area with bathroom, an office, and a tertiary sewerage system that helps them recycle treated water.

But in his address board Chairman Samuel Williams said the school is still in dire need of more resources.

“As we celebrate 100 years of existence, let us not only reflect on our past accomplishments but also look forward to the future with optimism and determination,” said Williams.

“I would like to ask members of the community, business community, stakeholders who have interest in this institution to be onboard with us so that we can accomplish another year.

“We are grateful for the support so far but we are asking the Ministry of Education whenever you can to make more resources for us; so that we can strive for excellence, move forward and have a generation that we can align for the new world that exists,” added Williams.