Ardenne Preparatory and Extension High School

Description:

of Education’s requirement for contact hours i.e. the number of hours the teachers meet with students on any given day. This put the schools at a disadvantage when compared with similar schools. In order to address this situation, streamline administrative functions and expand the co-curricular programme the merger of both institutions became necessary. In the early years the two schools were registered as a single entity, Ardenne Preparatory and Evening Institute. However each functioned independently and it was not until 1996 that the Ministry of Education registered them as separate schools. Now they have again come together as one. Ardenne Preparatory was established in 1974 when Rev. Rupert Lawrence sought and gained the permission of the then Ardenne High School Board and Executive Council, to start a private school which would serve as a feeder school for Ardenne High School. Premises at 37 Hope Road which previously was the home of Jamaica Theological Seminary, was identified for setting up the school. Rev. Rupert Lawrence served as the first Chairman of the Board. Both Rev. Lawrence and Mrs. Lily Brown dedicated themselves to the task of setting up the school and they secured the services of Mrs. Daphnie Bailey who was appointed Principal. It was Mrs. Brown who developed the Motto – Nil Nisi Optimum Hic Est. Agendum “Nothing but the Best is Done Here.” The school started with 100 students on roll and was housed in the current Administrative Block which had to undergo extensive repairs to make it habitable for the children. The school grew in numbers and in 1993 enrolment increased to 560, causing the Board to take the decision to reduce enrolment to 400 which was the number of students that could be comfortably accommodated. The Extension High School was also established at 37 Hope Road in September 1980, with Mrs. Lily Brown being the founding principal. As was the case with the Preparatory School it was Rev. Lawrence who gave birth to the idea of an Extension High School which was to provide a second chance for students of Ardenne High School who were unsuccessful in the General Certificate Examination, but could not be accommodated at the school to repeat. An advertisement requesting applications was placed in the papers. There were over 300 applications from parents requesting places at the first, second, third and fifth form levels. So in September 1981 the evening Institute as it was then known, opened its doors to 245 students, 32 of these being fifth form repeaters. Mrs. Lily Brown was appointed principal of this institution. During this time accommodation was so limited that what should have been the principal’s office served as staff room and technical drawing room as well. The science laboratories and playfield at Ardenne High School were made available for use by the Evening Institute students after 3:30 some afternoons. Principals who have served the school are: 1. Mrs. Lily Brown 1980 – 1985 2. Mrs. Carol Wilson 1986 – 2000 Both the Preparatory School and the Evening Institute were growing at a rapid rate, therefore there was need for more classrooms and so a building fund was established. In 1983 a new building consisting of 4 classrooms and 2 bathrooms was constructed at a cost of $160,000.00 Construction was supervised by Dr. Noel Brown of JenTech Limited. He gave his services free of cost. An upper floor was added to this building and this housed 3 classrooms, a guidance and counseling room, staff facilities and a small art room. In 1999/2000 metal containers were purchased and converted to accommodate a library, computer laboratory, music room, and 2 additional classrooms. In 2000/2001, 9 additional classrooms and a parking lot were added, as well as a playfield was developed. Development has taken place not only in the expansion of the physical plant, but in the curricular and co-curricular programmes as well. With the additional facilities the Music, Speech and Drama programmes were expanded. Spanish, French (Pre-Kinder, Kinder 1 & Kinder 2 and Grade 1), Information Technology, Personal Development, Clothing and Textiles, and Woodwork were added to the curriculum. The teaching of spiritual values and positive attitudes is enhanced through avenues such as Community Outreach Projects, the Guidance and Counselling Programme, Work Experience, Community Service, several clubs and societies. Our school was founded on Christian principles and seeks to offer quality education in a Christian environment, therefore the spiritual development of students is of utmost importance. This aspect of school life is taught through our daily devotions, Inter-Schools’ Christian Fellowship (I.S.C.F.), Good News Club, Christian Emphasis Week, special services and infusion of Christian values in classroom teaching. Through these activities many have committed their lives to Christ.

Mission Statement:

The Ardenne Preparatory and Extension High School seeks to provide quality education in a Christian environment where all the stakeholders- Church, Board of Governors, staff, students, parents can work together harmoniously in enabling our students to achieve their maximum potential within the ideals of community, in preparation for the next stage of their development.