 St.
Andrew High School for Girls was born in September 1925. In the first school
magazine published in 1940, Rev. E. Armon-Jones wrote, “The birth of a new
school is an outstanding event in the history of any community.” “….from the
day the school was opened in September 1925 the only embarrassment that the
Board of Management has had to face is the embarrassment caused by
success.”
Just prior to 1925, the Presbyterian Church and The
Wesleyan Methodist Church (both keenly interested in education), joined
forces and resources to establish a girls’ school for boarders and day
students. Despite limited financial resources, they were able to secure
eight acres of land surrounding the spacious Cecelio Lodge House, which was
then renovated into dormitories, classrooms and staff rooms.
On June 8, 1925, the first Board Meeting was held and
the school opened in September with 21 scholars and a staff of six, in
addition to the Board of Management headed by Chairman Rev. John Currey.
Miss Jenny Garthshore was the first headmistress. The dedicatory service was
held on September 21, 1925, and the school opened as The Jamaica High School
for Girls. But in 1929 when the school qualified to become a government
grant-aided secondary school, the Jamaica Schools Commission asked that the
name be changed, and it became St. Andrew High School.
The mould for the crest was presented to the school at
the Old Girls’ Association’s first reunion dinner on April 6, 1940. To the
left of the crest is the white cross on the blue background – the flag of
our patron saint, St. Andrew. To the right is the flag of St. George
(England) with five pineapples; this being the first coat of arms, given
Jamaica in 1661.
The motto, “Life More Abundant” suggested in 1925 by
first principal Miss Jenny Garthshore is taken from the New Testament book of
St John “…..I came that they might have life, and that they might have it
more abundantly.” 
The rest, as they say, is
history. A success story that spans two centuries and enriched the lives of
all those who have been fortunate enough to be a part of the St. Andrew
family. We look forward to many more years of growth and success for our
school in the never-ending quest for “Life More Abundant.”
This is
St. Andrew High School For Girls website in Jamaica
http://www.standrewhigh.edu.jm
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