Ardenne High School
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (October 2021) |
| Ardenne High School | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Address | |
 | |
10 Ardenne Road Caribbean New Kingston , Surrey , Kingston 10 | |
| Coordinates | 18°00′51″N 76°47′06″W / 18.014179°N 76.78507°W |
| Information | |
| School type | Public school (government funded) |
| Motto | Motto : Deo Duce Quaere Optima (With God as Guide, Seek the Best) |
| Religious affiliation(s) | Christianity |
| Denomination | Church of God |
| Established | 1927 |
| Founder | Reverend George Olson and Nellie Olson |
| Status | Open |
| Dean | Reverend Mario Samuels |
| Staff | Approximately 140 |
| Faculty | 104 |
| Grades | 7-13 |
| Age range | 10-20 |
| Enrollment | 2300 |
| Sixth form students | Approx. 320 |
| Language | English |
| Hours in school day | 8.5 |
| Colour(s) | Royal blue and gold |
| Song | Ye Valiant Youth Arise! |
| Accreditation | Ministry of Education, Jamaica |
| Newspaper | The Flame |
| Yearbook | the torch |
| Website | |
Ardenne High School is a coeducational, first-to-sixth form secondary school located in St. Andrew, Jamaica. The institution is best known for its high academic standards, among the highest in the Caribbean,[1] and for its achievements in the performing arts and several sports. Most notably basketball and netball.[2] The school's principal is Miss Nadine A Molloy.
COVID-19
On March 12, 2021 when schools closed in Jamaica owning the pandemic, Ardenne was able to transition to teaching in the virtual space. This was possible because of the extensive investment in technology infrastructure and teacher/staff capacity building that the school had engaged in for the previous three years. The school had also just rolled out a Bring Your Own Device policy (BYOD) that required students to own and take to school, for teaching, learning and assessment purposes, a Chromebook. The school has remained online with limited in-person classes since the pandemic began reaching from 88-100% of the students including administering full two paper exams remotely. This pivoting has received strong support from all stakeholders, notably the alumni who has provided a number of devices and other support. [citation needed]
History[edit]
In 1907, just after the great earthquake that destroyed much of Kingston, the Rev. George and Nellie Olson came to Jamaica as Church of God missionaries from Anderson, Indiana in the United States, where the Church of God has its headquarters. In 1927, they began the first school at High Holborn Street in Kingston with an enrollment of five students including the Olson's daughter Mary Olson. In 1929 the Ardenne property of 12 acres was purchased through funds received from the Missionary Board of the Church of God in the U.S. and other private donors. The main block of buildings was erected. However, it was not until January 1938 that the school was transferred to its present location.
Nellie Olson, the first principal, held office until 1944 when she was succeeded by her daughter Mary Olson. Mary Olson served as principal through most of the schools formative years until 1969 when E.M. Claire Gayle, who had previously served as vice principal, succeeded her. Gayle was succeeded by the fourth principal, Roy J. Ebanks in 1979. When he retired in 1996, Winston Roberts became the fifth principal after serving as vice principal from 1979. During the interim May 1998 to December 1999, as a result of Roberts' illness and ultimate death, Erma J. Hutton served as acting principal. Esther Tyson assumed responsibility as the sixth principal in January 2000, until September 2011.[3] The Reverend Claude Ellis served as acting principal until Miss Nadine A Molloy, past president of the Jamaica Teachers' Association, was appointed the school's seventh principal in September 2012.[4] Since January 2024, Dr Jacqueline Pinto has been serving as the Acting Principal.
School Song[edit]
School Song: (written by Vincent Kelly, alumnus)
Ye valiant youth arise,
And join life's glorious fray,
With God as guide,
He will strength provide to conquer day to day.
In hallowed hall or field,
We'll strive but never yield;
We will fight with our might,
Undefeated be the conflict mild or heated:
Brave and strong, shunning wrong
we will march along
To the future's brighter ray.
With loyalty and pride,
We'll shield our noble name,
What'er assail it shall ne’er
prevail, we'll conquer just the same:
With banner high, unfurled,
A symbol to the world
Of the zeal that we feel in pursuing what we’re doing, ever viewing
The bright crest of the best
That will crown our quest,
And fan Ardenne's glorious flame.
Achievements[edit]
- First Female President of York College, Dr Marcia Keisz[5]
- JCDC Marcus Garvey Award winner 6 years Straight 2011-2017[6]
Alumni[edit]
- Koffee[7]
- Jody-Anne Maxwell[7]
- Stephen McGregor, singer, songwriter and music producer[7]
- Joyce Britton, singer[7]
- Young Don The Sauce God, youtuber[7]
- Alkaline,[7] dancehall artist
References[edit]
- ^ "Education Minister Hails Ardenne High – Jamaica Information Service". jis.gov.jm. Retrieved 19 March 2024.
- ^ "Top schools missing as ISSA basketball tips off". jamaica-gleaner.com. 7 March 2022. Retrieved 19 March 2024.
- ^ "Esther Tyson bows out - Educator closes a long connection with Ardenne High". The Gleaner. The Gleaner. 14 August 2011. Retrieved 7 May 2012.
- ^ "Molloy Young Brings Energy To Ardenne". September 2012.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "Dr. Marcia V. Keizs Named President of York College – CUNY Newswire – CUNY". Archived from the original on 20 June 2010. Retrieved 5 May 2012.
- ^ "Ardenne Takes Home JCDC's Top Honour for Sixth Straight Year - Jamaica Information Service". Jamaica Information Service. 16 June 2017. Retrieved 19 November 2018.
- ^ a b c d e f "Ardenne High nurtures world-class musical talent". 27 February 2022.