ABERDEEN, St Elizabeth — Principal Audley Feare and his team are determined to reshape how external stakeholders view Aberdeen High School.

For years the school has struggled with the stigma of an under-performing institution, but Feare and his team are determined to change that perception to one that highlights the institution’s academic progress, talent, and community impact.

The school launched a mentorship programme during its recent Jamaica Day celebration — which was held under the theme: Championing Kindness, Courage and Community.

Unlike traditional mentorship programmes this focuses on individual students who face academic or behavioural challenges.

Aberdeen’s model treats each class as a family unit guided by a mentor an individual drawn from professional backgrounds, including lawyers, principals, pastors, and business owners.

According to Feare, the initiative aims to reinforce positive behaviour among students, increase career awareness and exposure, bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world industries, expand networking opportunities for both students and the school, and build social awareness and social capital.

“The programme is school-wide and equitable. Every student will have access to mentorship and exposure,” Feare told the Jamaica Observer.

He said students responded enthusiastically to the programme’s launch, particularly to the keynote address, which encouraged them to pursue success regardless of background or circumstance.

Feare said the school’s tradition of excellence was firmly established long before his tenure, and praised the staff of the institution who he says, have been doing an excellent job to upgrade the institution.

“I must applaud the teachers and staff. They have done exceptionally well. Their hard work is clearly reflected in the results we are seeing,” said Feare as he pointed to a consistent upward trajectory in external examination results.

Feare told the Observer that during the 2023/2024 academic year the school’s Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examination pass rate stood at 65 per cent with this increasing to 82 per cent in 2024/2025. He said the school recorded an 89 per cent pass rate in the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) examinations in the 2024/2025 academic year.

The principal further pointed out that in the 2024/2025 academic year there was a notable increase in the number of students attaining grade one at the CSEC level.

He said 19 per cent of students achieved grade one passes in 2024/2025, compared with 11 per cent the previous year.

Feare further explained that of the 15 subject areas offered in the 2024/2025 academic year, nine recorded a 100 per cent pass rate.

He said this speaks volumes about the commitment, diligence, and collaborative efforts of both the teachers and students.

But despite the school’s progress Feare said there is a lingering perception of under-performance tied to its former status as a primary and junior high school.

“That is why public relations and marketing are important so that parents, corporate Jamaica, PTAs (parent-teacher associations), and primary school students understand that very very good things are happening here.”

As part of this effort, Feare has been charged to spearhead a comprehensive public relations campaign aimed at educating residents of St Elizabeth, and the wider, Jamaica about the school’s performance and achievements.

“Aberdeen High School has been producing excellent results and we want the wider public to understand the value the institution brings to students,” Feare explained.

He envisions the school becoming a community hub where residents can access information, develop social capital, and participate in skills training programmes.

The school also offers programmes through City & Guilds, and National Council on Technical and Vocational Education and Training, expanding pathways for students who wish to pursue technical and vocational careers.

Central to the new public relations drive is an outreach to feeder schools. Members of the school’s public relations team are visiting primary school to introduce prospective students, and parents, to the opportunities available at Aberdeen.

Support for this vision extends to the school’s board and members of staff, many of whom are assisting in strengthening community partnerships.

“Aberdeen is a fairly young high school,” Feare explained.

“The institution completed its transition from a primary and junior high school to a full high school in the 2018/2019 academic year, so many people across Jamaica are still unaware of the progress we are making,” argued Feare.

The school’s culture is guided by its motto, ‘Excellence is our Habit,’ and Feare is confident that approach will help position Aberdeen as a school of choice in the years ahead.

Principal of Park Mountain Primary School Carlene Heath delivers her mentorship speech to her assigned class at Aberdeen High School during the launch of its mentorship programme, recently. 

Attorney-at-law and president of St Elizabeth Chamber of Commerce (Black River Chapter) Kadian Myers-Brown shares lens time with principal of Aberdeen High School Audley Feare.

Some of the mentors who have been assigned to classes at Aberdeen High: (From left) Pastor Hansel Gordon, Pastor Carl Denton, principal of Siloah Primary Oneil Larmond, and principal of DeCarteret College Dr Prim Lewis, during the school’s recent Jamaica Day celebration.