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. 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 and served on the Board of Governors for seven years. It was her conviction that an auditorium be built first — the present auditorium was therefore the first building on the site, housing the entire school with offices upstairs, and serving as a church on Sundays.
Based on the strong ties between the Jamaican and Scottish Presbyterian churches, the "Black Watch" tartan plaid of the Campbell clan of Scotland was selected by Rev. G. McGhie for the girls' uniform. Rev. Saunders herself designed the blue-green tunic worn today.
Milestones
1958
Founding
Founded by Reverends Henry Ward and Madge Saunders of the United Church of Jamaica and the Cayman Islands, on the conviction that secondary education should reach a wider cross-section of Jamaican young people. Rev. Saunders contributed the funds to secure the school's land.
Sept 16, 1958
Doors Open
The school opens with 26 students and five teachers under the leadership of first Principal, Mrs Margaret Gartshore. The auditorium — built first at Rev. Saunders' insistence — houses the entire school and serves as a church on Sundays.
1960
A New Era of Discipline
Mr T.M. Whitmarsh-Knight becomes the second Principal. His regime is characterised by formality in dress and regimental discipline — teachers wear academic gowns and caps, even on hot days.
Feb 16, 1961
First Classroom Block
A three-storey block housing six classrooms and Science labs is formally opened by the then Minister of Education, the Hon. Florizel Glaspole.
1963
Bursting at the Seams
Enrolment grows to 263 students. Third Principal Mr Bogle reports the school is "filled to capacity, bursting at the seams."
1970
First Sixth Form Cohort
Under fourth Principal Warren Thorpe, the first group of 6th form students — tutored by Mrs Elsa Leo Rhynie (later Professor and Deputy Principal of UWI) and Mrs P. Headlam — sit the G.C.E. 'A' Level exam in Botany, Zoology and Chemistry.
1974–1976
World Bank Expansion
The administrative block, industrial arts and home economics laboratories, a chemistry laboratory, business block, book room, several classrooms, a bathroom, and a storeroom are built under a World Bank project.
1979
CXC Examinations Introduced
During the tenure of fifth Principal Ms C. McLennon, the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) examinations are introduced, gradually replacing the GCE 'O' Level at Grade 11.
1982 – 1986
Sporting Glory
Sporting performance improves "by leaps and bounds." The Under-19 Urban Cricket Competition (Sunlight Cup) is won in 1982, 1984, and 1986. In 1986, Meadowbrook captures the Walker Cup and the All-Island Under-19 Football Knockout Cup Nutrament Shield. Cavelle Creightney becomes the first Meadowbrook Rhodes Scholar.
1989
Second Rhodes Scholar
Under sixth Principal Dr M. Morris, the school wins the Under-19 Football Walker Cup. Andrea Wright becomes the second Meadowbrook student awarded the prestigious Rhodes Scholarship.
1994
Top-Rated School in Jamaica
Meadowbrook High School is deemed the top-rated academic school on the island, based on student performance in CXC examinations.
1994 – 2003
Steady Diversification
Led by Mrs P. Headlam (Acting, 1994–96) and Principal Alice Lowe (1996–2003), the school continues to strive for academic excellence and diversifies the sports in which it excels — adding softball, baseball, and volleyball.
2004 – 2011
Discipline & Curriculum
Mrs W. Reid leads the school, instilling a strong programme of discipline and a diverse curriculum for all students.
2011 – 2018
Plant & Programme Expansion
Mr M. Peart serves as Principal, implementing several projects to expand the school plant and diversify the subjects and skills offered.
Oct 1, 2019
A New Chapter
Following Mrs G. Heaven's acting tenure (2018–2019), Mr K. Facey begins his tenure as Principal, continuing the school's pursuit of academic, artistic and sporting excellence.
Leadership Legacy
Principals Through the Years
From Mrs Margaret Gartshore in 1958 to Mr K. Facey today, each Principal has left a defining mark on the life and character of Meadowbrook High School.
- 1st1958 – 1960
Mrs Margaret Gartshore
Founding Principal; previously Principal of St. Andrew High School.
- 2nd1960 – c. 1963
Mr T.M. Whitmarsh-Knight
Era of academic gowns, caps, and regimental discipline.
- 3rdc. 1963 – c. 1970
Mr Bogle
Oversaw rapid growth — enrolment reached 263 by 1963.
- 4thc. 1970 – 1979
Mr Warren Thorpe
Introduced the first Sixth Form cohort (G.C.E. 'A' Level).
- 5th1979 – 1986
Ms C. McLennon
CXC examinations introduced; era of sporting dominance.
- 6th1986 – 1994
Dr M. Morris
Top-rated CXC school in Jamaica (1994); second Rhodes Scholar produced.
- Acting1994 – 1996
Mrs P. Headlam
Acting Principal
Continued academic and sporting diversification.
- 7th1996 – 2003
Mrs Alice Lowe
Expanded sporting programme to include softball, baseball, and volleyball.
- Acting2003 – 2004
Mrs J. Jackson
Acting Principal
- 8th2004 – 2011
Mrs W. Reid
Instilled a strong programme of discipline and a diverse curriculum.
- 9th2011 – 2018
Mr M. Peart
Expanded the school plant and diversified subjects and skills offered.
- Acting2018 – 2019
Mrs G. Heaven
Acting Principal
- 10th2019 – Present
Mr K. Facey
B.Sc., Dip.Ed., M.Sc. Continuing the pursuit of academic, artistic and sporting excellence.
Moments of Pride
1986
First Rhodes Scholar
Cavelle Creightney becomes the first Meadowbrook student awarded the prestigious Rhodes Scholarship.
1989
Second Rhodes Scholar
Andrea Wright follows, cementing Meadowbrook's place among Jamaica's top academic schools.
1994
Top CXC School in Jamaica
Meadowbrook is ranked the top academic school on the island based on CXC performance.
Our Founding Faculty
The first Principal, Miss Gartshore, was described as "a dedicated lady of wide experience and a perfectionist [who] 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 the school's first Bursar), Miss Gloria Lannaman, and Miss Flavia Peterkin. Mrs. Monica Smith, Principal's secretary, spent many dedicated years working for the fledgling school.