Message from the Minister of Education and Culture
The Jonathan Grant High School nestled in the heart of
Spanish Town is like an oasis
in a desert as it continues to work assiduously to engender both the
social and academic values
that its young charges need to function effectively in society.
I say congratulations for your milestone of 25 years. Indeed it has
been 25 years of solid and
incisive leadership, which has spawned creditable academic
achievements, outstanding performances
in sports, a consistently high standard in discipline, and a strong
sense of family among staff
and students.
As you look forward to another 25 years as a teaching and learning
institution, endeavour at all
times to strive for excellence in keeping wit your motto.
Continue to build not just the physical institution into a bastion of learning,
but a richer life
for every student who comes to that institution. Build each child into
a good citizen, who will not only
make positive and tangible contributions to his or her society, but
will also demonstrate the requisite
social skills, values and attitudes necessary to build Jamaica.
Mxine Henry-Wilson, M.P.
Minister
Message from the Custos of St. Catherine
It is my delight to bring you greetings on this special
occasion of celebration for your school's 25th Anniversary.
I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate you on your
profound contribution to this nation through education, and for your
unstinting effort and dedication.
We thank God for your faithfulness and for those faithful ones of
the past, who brought Jonathan Grant High School the rich legacy as a
result of their service to God and to humanity. You performed the
vital role of shaping the destinies of many young men and women.
Today you can say the seemingly impossible has become possible.
In our society today the blatant disregard for life and property is
appalling, and so is the level of indiscipline which
has stemmed from a number of social, economic and financial factors.
Crime and violence have escalated and have driven fear into our nation.
Life is impaired by high stress levels, and conflicts which people seem
unable to manage.
How sad it is today, that violence and crime have entered the
schools and taken the lives of both educators and those being educated.
The values are now placed on the accumulation of wealth, and very
little emphasis is places on spiritual life and education for instilling
sound values and the right attitudes.
The teaching profession is a powerful force. The task is a very
heavy one. The challenges are daily before you, but be encouraged.
Strengthen your grip to place more emphasis on moral values and
attitudes balanced with Christian principles, as you seek to train our
children
with whom the prosperity of our nation's future lies.
It is said that children live what they learn. Children
learn what they live. Show them the way to love in their hearts and they
will find love in the world. A child that is loved and
nurtured reacts and behaves differently from one that has never been shown
love.
It is therfore a reflection of our society today, when so many of our
children are hostile towards each other and to their teachers. They
find
it difficult to love which is inevitably carried over into
adulthood.
Do not be discouraged by what is happening around you, but seek to
keep your heart and eyes fixed on the Lord.
Many more anniversaries are wished for you and I wish for your
school all that is good as you strive for excellence in all
that
you do. Do not settle for mediocrity as you can do all things
through Christ who strengthens you . Aim to be leaders. Know
your
purpose. Utilize your God given talents. Do not be afraid, for God
has not given you a spirit of fear, but power and love. Trust God in
everything and he will see you through the good times and the bad.
May God bless you all, preserve, strengthen and enlighten you with
wisdom and understanding. We pray for a hedge of protection around the
school
and the blood of Jesus to cover you. May his peace rest with you as
you continue to labour in the vineyard to build a great nation.
Again, heartiest congratulation and best wishes.
Rev. Hon. Sophia Azan
Custos Rotulorum
St. Catherine.
Message From The Chairman of the School Board
As you celebrate your 25th Anniversary the Board of governors join
in offering you our heartiest congratulations on the outstanding
achievement
of the institution through the dedicated service of the Principal, Vice
Principals, teachers and the administrative staff.
(25 years) A lifetime for many, but for you it is indeed a
significant milestone achieved not by mere planning, but as a result of God's
guidance
and your desire and dedication and determination and sacrifice and
faithfulness to the empowering of young minds.
We commend you for raising the standard of this institution so high
that it is being sought after by many parents. Over the years you have
steadily
excelled in academics and culture and sports and skills and all the
programmes that are offered at the institution. For this we hail you all
for doing
a remarkable job by instilling in the students a sense of pride, self
esteem and self worth in achieving their goals. It should not go
unnoticed that many
of the students who graduate from Jonathan Grant High School, have gone
to 6th form in traditional high schools in Spanish Town and
elsewhere.
As you celebrate, may you reflect on the visionaries who have set
the pace for your continuous advancement. We wish to recognize the
ancillary staff,
who have also carried out their duties faithfully.
I personally am humbled to be associated with this noble
institution that I officiate in this capacity as Chairman of the Board.
With the help of God Almighty and the continued support of the
entire staff and students, it is quite possible that this institution can
become a pace
setter for the other schools in the region and beyond.
It is the Board's desire that the students of this institution wil
continue to Stirve for Excellence
Daphne Clayton(Mrs.)J.P.
Chairman
