ST ANN, Jamaica — Cleanup and recovery are under way at Ferncourt High School following damage sustained during the passage of Hurricane Melissa.

Principal Sheldon Thomas, recently named the LASCO/Ministry of Education/Jamaica Teaching Council Principal of the Year 2024–2025, says restoration efforts are ongoing as staff attempt to prepare to return to normal operations.

“The damage at Ferncourt High School are [to] some windows in the classrooms, on our farm, one of our [chicken] coops damaged,” Thomas told Observer Online during a visit to the school last Thursday.

He explained that the chicken coop, which is part of the school’s agricultural programme was among the facilities affected. “In the auditorium, we just have an area where the water entered through the roof,” he added.

When the Observer team visited the campus, staff members were busy cleaning the compound, removing water from the auditorium and clearing debris left behind by Hurricane Melissa.

Thomas said the teachers’ flats, located at the front of the school, sustained the majority of the damage. “The roofs for the teachers’ flats were either partially or fully removed,” he said, noting that assessments were ongoing to determine the full cost of repairs.

The principal expressed gratitude that the overall damage was not more severe despite even his flat being exposed by the elements.

Meanwhile, surrounding areas in Claremont, including the Claremont Market, several commercial buildings, and numerous homes, also suffered damage. The Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) parish office, St Matthew’s Church, and Miracle Tabernacle Church, located opposite the high school, all lost sections of their roofs during the storm.

Despite the challenges, Thomas remains optimistic that the school will resume normal operations soon. “We are assessing, cleaning, and preparing to return to regular classes as quickly as possible,” he said.