Ferncourt High School
Encyclopedia
Ferncourt High School located in Claremont
, St Ann
, Jamaica is co-educational and has a student body of approximately 1200. Their website is www.ferncourthigh.netai.net.
An active member of the Anglican Church and the Scout Movement, it was no surprise that Mrs. Simpson devised a curriculum that not only catered to the girls' intellectual development but one that would also prepared them to be socially and morally, upstanding citizens. To deliver this curriculum which included classical subjects such as French, Latin and Music along with the fundamental social graces, the staff was recruited from all across Jamaica as well as overseas .
As the institution was privately owned, the acceptance of students was based primarily on the character and resources of the parents as well as the conduct and ability of the students.
The school later became a co- educational institution and the population maintained a steady growth and by 1959 the population had reached two hundred and sixty six. In 1955, the government formally recognized the school which became a public entity in 1960. As the school continued to expand and the society began to change there were curriculum changes. Less emphasis was now placed on the classical subjects such as French and Latin and more emphasis on the technical subjects. Presently Femcourt incorporates traditional high school education with training in Industrial Arts and Practical Commercial Skills. Ferncourt High School is also one of the few traditional high schools in Jamaica that boasts a Technical Department and it is the only government owned traditional high school in Region Three.
Mrs. Simpson held the position of Principal from its opening until 1961. When she retired Mr. Weller took over the leadership of the school for a short while. He was followed by Mr. James Laing, Mr. Oswald Fisher, Mr. Byron Brown, Mr. O.R. Bell, Miss. V.J. Clarke, Rev'd St. Aubyn Hay, Mrs. Sharon Kelly- Stair, Mrs. Ethyl Mullings, Rev'd Claudette Johnson, Mrs. Veronica Archer and currently Rev'd Lenworth Sterling who is one of the many fortunate who can say that Ferncourt High School is his Alma mater- their pride and joy.
Ferncourt High currently has a second campus located at Brittonville. The school has extended its facilities with staff residences, an auditorium and an extra laboratory to accommodate a population of 1556 students and a faculty of over sixty on both campuses.
The school is in now in its 71st year. The Board of Governors, the principal, staff and students of Ferncourt High School say thank you to all the individuals and organizations that have helped the school to become what it is today. As we move forward we welcome any contribution that will propel the school to become one of Jamaica's best and carry on the legacy of Mrs. Iris Blanche Simpson.
4-H Club –
Vibes Club
Red Cross Society
Cadet Corps
Tourism Action Plan
Environment Club
Girls Guide
Social Graces
United Nations
Wellness Club
ISCF
Photography/Astronomy Club
Music Club
Spanish Club
Dance Group
Sporting Activities:
Track & Field
Netball
For sports the school population is divided into five houses:
The school's motto is "Labor Vincit" which, when translated to English, means "work conquers".
Claremont, Jamaica
Claremont is a settlement in Jamaica....
, St Ann
Saint Ann Parish, Jamaica
Saint Ann is the largest parish in Jamaica. It is situated on the north coast of the island, in the county of Middlesex, roughly halfway between the eastern and western ends of the island. It is often called 'the Garden Parish of Jamaica' on account of its natural beauty...
, Jamaica is co-educational and has a student body of approximately 1200. Their website is www.ferncourthigh.netai.net.
History
Ferncourt High school was officially opened in1938. Housed in a building previously belonging to Dr. Curphey, knownas 'Cedars,' Ferncourt welcomed its first set of girls who all boarded on the school's compound.An active member of the Anglican Church and the Scout Movement, it was no surprise that Mrs. Simpson devised a curriculum that not only catered to the girls' intellectual development but one that would also prepared them to be socially and morally, upstanding citizens. To deliver this curriculum which included classical subjects such as French, Latin and Music along with the fundamental social graces, the staff was recruited from all across Jamaica as well as overseas .
As the institution was privately owned, the acceptance of students was based primarily on the character and resources of the parents as well as the conduct and ability of the students.
The school later became a co- educational institution and the population maintained a steady growth and by 1959 the population had reached two hundred and sixty six. In 1955, the government formally recognized the school which became a public entity in 1960. As the school continued to expand and the society began to change there were curriculum changes. Less emphasis was now placed on the classical subjects such as French and Latin and more emphasis on the technical subjects. Presently Femcourt incorporates traditional high school education with training in Industrial Arts and Practical Commercial Skills. Ferncourt High School is also one of the few traditional high schools in Jamaica that boasts a Technical Department and it is the only government owned traditional high school in Region Three.
Mrs. Simpson held the position of Principal from its opening until 1961. When she retired Mr. Weller took over the leadership of the school for a short while. He was followed by Mr. James Laing, Mr. Oswald Fisher, Mr. Byron Brown, Mr. O.R. Bell, Miss. V.J. Clarke, Rev'd St. Aubyn Hay, Mrs. Sharon Kelly- Stair, Mrs. Ethyl Mullings, Rev'd Claudette Johnson, Mrs. Veronica Archer and currently Rev'd Lenworth Sterling who is one of the many fortunate who can say that Ferncourt High School is his Alma mater- their pride and joy.
Ferncourt High currently has a second campus located at Brittonville. The school has extended its facilities with staff residences, an auditorium and an extra laboratory to accommodate a population of 1556 students and a faculty of over sixty on both campuses.
The school is in now in its 71st year. The Board of Governors, the principal, staff and students of Ferncourt High School say thank you to all the individuals and organizations that have helped the school to become what it is today. As we move forward we welcome any contribution that will propel the school to become one of Jamaica's best and carry on the legacy of Mrs. Iris Blanche Simpson.
Curriculum
Students enter at 1st form (7th grade) and continue to 5th form (11th grade) when they sit various subjects in the CXC and CCSLC exams.Extracurricular activities
Clubs and Societies:4-H Club –
Vibes Club
Red Cross Society
Cadet Corps
Tourism Action Plan
Environment Club
Girls Guide
Social Graces
United Nations
Wellness Club
ISCF
Photography/Astronomy Club
Music Club
Spanish Club
Dance Group
Sporting Activities:
Track & Field
Netball
For sports the school population is divided into five houses:
- Curphy
- Simpson
- Jacob
- Brown
- Smith
Emblems
MottoThe school's motto is "Labor Vincit" which, when translated to English, means "work conquers".
Notable alumni
The school has produced many notable members of Jamaican society including:- Rear Admiral Hardley Lewin, former Jamaica Defence ForceJamaica Defence ForceThe Jamaica Defence Force is the combined military forces of Jamaica, consisting of an Army, Air Wing and Coast Guard. The JDF is based upon the British military model with organisation, training, weapons and traditions closely aligned with Commonwealth Realm countries...
Chief of StaffChief of StaffThe title, chief of staff, identifies the leader of a complex organization, institution, or body of persons and it also may identify a Principal Staff Officer , who is the coordinator of the supporting staff or a primary aide to an important individual, such as a president.In general, a chief of...
, Commissioner of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (the first person to lead both the military and police force in the history of Jamaica). - Seymour Mullings, former Deputy Prime Minister in the PNP administration of the 70s and 80s.
- Aloun Assamba, former Minister of Tourism and MP for Southeast St Ann.
- Novlene WilliamsNovlene WilliamsNovlene Hilaire Williams-Mills is a track and field athlete, competing internationally for Jamaica. She was initially a bronze medalist in the 4 x 400 m relay at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece...
, 4x400m bronze medalist in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
External links
- Aerial view.
- Photos: