History

Meadowbrook High School, in the parish of St Andrew, was founded in 1958, by the Reverends Henry Ward and Madge Saunders of the United Church of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands. The school started with an idea or concept. It was Rev. Ward’s desire that Secondary Education be made available to a wider cross-section of Jamaican young people, as up to the 1950s only a select minority enjoyed this privilege. Rev. Madge stated that the foundation of Meadowbrook High was based on Christian principles, with the primary goal of serving the Jamaican people.

Rev. Saunders contributed the funds to secure the school’s land. She served as a member of the Board of Governors with keen and caring interest for seven years following the expansion and development. It was her strong conviction that an auditorium should be the first building erected, as classrooms could be made later. The present auditorium was, therefore, the first building on the site. The auditorium housed the entire school, with offices being upstairs. It also served as a church building on Sundays.

Based on the strong ties between the Jamaican and Scottish churches (Presbyterian), a tartan plaid was selected by Rev. G. McGhie for the girls’ uniform. This was the “Black Watch” plaid of the Campbell clan of Scotland. Rev. Saunders designed the present blue-green tunic worn by the girls.

On Tuesday, September 16, 1958, the school began with 26 students and five teachers, including the first Principal, Mrs Margaret Gartshore, who had recently retired as Principal of St. Andrew High School.

The first Principal Miss Gartshore, “a dedicated lady of wide experience and a perfectionist, set the young school on a broad, firm Christian foundation, directed the course it was to follow and gave it impulse and impetus.” During these early years the school was closely linked with St. Andrew High, its older sister.

Among the teachers of the early years were Rev. & Mrs. McGhie (who served as our first ‘Bursar’), Miss Gloria Lannaman, and Miss Flavia Peterkin. The other, Mrs. Monica Smith, Principal’s secretary, spent many dedicated years working for the fledgling school.

The second. Principal Mr T.M. Whitmarsh-Knight came to Meadowbrook in 1960. His regime was characterised by formality in dress and regimental discipline. Teachers wore academic gowns and caps, even on hot days, and students stood at attention when teachers passed.

On February 16, 1961, a three-story block housing six classrooms and Science labs was formally opened by the then Minister of Education, Hon. Florizel Glaspole. 

By 1963, the population had grown to 263; the third principal, Mr. Bogle, reported. “We are filled to capacity, bursting at the seams.”

In 1970, during the tenure of our fourth Principal Warren Thorpe, the first group of 6th form students, tutored by Mrs Elsa Leo Rhynie, now Professor Leo Rhynie, former Deputy Principal – University of the West Indies, and Mrs. P. Headlam (who later served as a Vice Principal), sat the G.C.E. ‘A’ Level exam in Botany, Zoology and Chemistry.

Between 1974 and 1976, the administrative block, industrial arts and home economics laboratories and teaching rooms, a chemistry laboratory, a business block, a book room, several classrooms, a bathroom, and a storeroom were built under a World Bank project.

In 1979, during the tenure of our fifth Principal, the Caribbean Examination Council (C.X.C.) examinations were introduced, gradually replacing the GCE ‘O’ Level as the main school leaving external exam at Grade 11. 

During the tenure of our fifth Principal, Ms C. McLennon, 1979 to 1986, the sporting performance of the school improved by ‘leaps and bounds’. In 1982, 1984, and 1986, we won the Under-19 Urban Cricket Competition, or Sunlight Cup. In 1986 we won the Under-19 Urban Area Football Knockout competition, or Walker Cup, and the All-Island Under-19 Football Knockout Cup Nutrament Shield. Cavelle Creightney became the first Meadowbrook student to be awarded the prestigious Rhodes Scholarship for academic excellence.

During the tenure of our sixth Principal, Dr M. Morris, we continued to strive in sports, including winning the Under-19Football Walker Cup in 1989. In 1989, Andrea Wright became the second Meadowbrook student to be awarded the prestigious Rhodes Scholarship for academic excellence. In 1994, Meadowbrook High School was deemed the top-rated academic school on the island for that year based on the performance of our students in CXC examinations.

Between 1994 and 2004, our school was led by Mrs P. Headlam (Acting Principal 1994-96), then Alice Lowe (Principal 1996-2003), and then Mrs J. Jackson (Acting Principal 2003-2024). During this time, we continued to strive for academic excellence and diversified the sports in which we excelled, including softball, baseball, and volleyball.

Between 2004 and 2011, Mrs W. Reid led our school, instilling a strong programme of discipline and a diverse curriculum for all students.

Between 2011 and 2018, Mr M. Peart served as Principal. Mr Peart implemented several projects to expand the plants and diversify the subjects and skills offered.

In 2018–2019, Mrs. G. Heaven served as acting principal, continuing her excellent service to the school.  On October 1, 2019, Mr. K. Facey began his tenure as the Principal of this school, continuing the school’s pursuits of academic, artistic and sporting excellence.