MANDEVILLE, Manchester — The privately operated Ardenne Preparatory and Extension High School based in Kingston has expanded its preparatory division to this south-central town.

The institution officially began its operations in Mandeville this term through the rebranding of Excell Learning Centre.

Manchester resident and teacher Daphne Holness founded Excell Learning Centre at 5 Brumalia Road in 1989 and was at the helm until 2009. Following her retirement, the institution was reportedly taken over by the Church of God in Jamaica, which owns the property.

Excell Learning Centre then became a member of the Ardenne Group of Schools, which includes the government-owned Ardenne High School in Kingston, an affiliate of the Church of God in Jamaica.

Sharlene Sutton, principal of Ardenne Preparatory Mandeville told the Jamaica Observer Central following a recent service to launch the rebranded campus that there will be one board of directors managing the privately run schools in Mandeville and Kingston.

Sutton said that there are plans to establish a centre of excellence for mathematics and science at the Mandeville campus in line with the Ministry of Education’s national thrust.

Speaking at the launch, executive chairman of the Church of God in Jamaica, Reverend Adinhair Jones said that the decision to expand came after “long and meaningful” contemplation.

“The challenge of our nation is that we make so many mistakes with the little that we have, and sometimes with the plenty that we have. One of our commitments is to learn all the lessons we must learn from our past and from the past of this school, and to get it right the first time,” he said.

Pastor Wesley Curwin Boynes, president of the Jamaica Independent Schools Association, said that Ardenne Preparatory in Kingston has established a reputation for high standards. He urged that the institution stays true to the “values-based” education for which it is known in light of the “moral crisis” in Jamaica.

The September term began with 154 students and there was the signing of a contract by the principal, a parent, and a student at the rebranding launch to symbolise accountability from all stakeholders going forward.