Ocho Rios School
I couldn’t resist hanging around this school since it’s right beside Little Shaw Park guest house, where I’ve stayed a few times. Every morning at the guest house I wake up to the sound of singing or playing children. Unfortunately we weren’t allowed inside the gates to tour the inside of the school during class time so here are the shots I got of the school exterior.
A lot of Jamaica’s history and culture is displayed on the outside of schools, which is great because it even teaches travelers as well as the children! This next picture shows the 3 counties of Jamaica; Surrey, Cornwall and Middlesex. The other areas on the map are the various parishes, which have evolved into these current ones over the decades.
Jamaica also has several national symbols. I’m not going to explain them all….this will give you something to Google. My favorite is the coat of arms though, because it displays Jamaica’s national motto: Out Of Many, One People. If only everyone lived by that motto.
And last in this post, but certainly not least are Jamaica’s national hero’s! If you’ve done any research at all on Jamaica you probably recognize at least Norman Manley since Kingston’s airport is named after him, and so is the longest road through Negril. To save you the Google for the rest of them, CLICK HEREfor a fabulous page of information about each of them.
I promise to bring back more pictures of schools next month. I’m leaving for the island again in a couple weeks! Stay tuned………..
Comments
43 responses to “St John’s Preparatory School – Ocho Rios”
i love the schools and watching the children come home in their lovely uniforms they look so nice
Wow i went to this school thank you so much i really enjoyed this
great school i send both my son and daugher their, my son soon graduate though. we live near by too.
This is my old prep school….memories. A lot bigger than when I attended. There were only 250 of us.
I attended this school graduated in 1998. My best friend was Bonnie Mitchell the current manager of shaw park. These pics bring back sweet memories thank you for posting them!!
What a small world! I did a post on Shaw Park guest house since I’ve stayed there a few times and I’ve met Bonnie. Very cool.
WOW!!!! i went to this school. i was in the same class as Bonnie Mitchell. I attended the school when the principal was Ms. Nicholson. Corazan , i remember you!!!! wow…
Cool! A reunion is happening on my blog LOL!
Hey! I’m from a much earlier set….went there during early 70’s! Dever, thanks for directing me here….. Many happy memories – we were family!!
Hello! Thank you for the beautiful pictures. I’m a Native Jamaican who moved away before I could even walk. I’m moving home with my son and stepson to be with my husband. We’re looking on living in Ocho Rios and I’m very interested in recommendations for schools in the area. With all of your fond memories of this particular school, I’ll definitely be checking it out. The boys would be going into 5th and 6th grade here in the US. Anyone with any advise, please feel free to email me directly at jaehaeri@gmail.com. Thank you!
My son went to this school, i dont regret a moment of sending him there.They have great teachers.
That’s great to hear! I’m surprised how many alumni have found this post and commented that they went to this school. 🙂
My family just returned from a cruise that included stopping in Ocho Rios. I would have loved an opportunity to explore real Jamaica as opposed to just the “tourist traps”. Regardless, we had a wonderful time while on the island. I am a 4th grade teacher in Florida. I used to teach 1st grade, so now I have early reading books that I can no longer use (as well as other 1st grade reading materials). I would really like to donate my books to a teacher/school that needs the materials in Jamaica. Can you put someone in contact with me?
YES Cheri!! I have a friend in Florida who goes to JA regularly and we collect school supplies for Jamaican kids. I will contact you.
Hello! Thank you for the beautiful pictures. I’m a Native Jamaican who moved away before I could even walk. I’m moving home with my son and stepson to be with my husband. We’re looking on living in Ocho Rios and I’m very interested in recommendations for schools in the area. With all of your fond memories of this particular school, I’ll definitely be checking it out. The boys would be going into 5th and 6th grade here in the US. Anyone with any advise, please feel free to email me directly at jaehaeri@gmail.com. Thank you!
Hey Steal, that’s awesome you’re looking to move back to JA. I live in Ochi too (when I’m there) and my apartment is on the road where there are about 4 schools from primary all the way to high school. It’s called Milford Road and is a pretty main street.
This is great!
I am looking for teachers to interview (field research for my thesis) about special education, and it sounds like this could be a starter. How do I get in touch with the principal and the teachers?
Please tell me more about the apartment you have and the renting possibilities?
Bless up!
Hey Tina, unfortunately I’m not sure how to or who to get in touch with at this school. You could possibly start with the Diocese of Jamaica. Sorry I’m not as much help as you need! I’ll email you about the apartment.
@@@@@@@ @ Tina there are also other schools in the area. Columbus Prep, Iona Prep…Here is the info:
Iona Prep Sch
Tower Isle
876-975-4656
Columbus Prep Sch
Seville Priory St. Ann’s Bay, St Ann Jamaica
876-972-2374
St John’s Prep Sch
P O Box 76 Ocho Rios, St Ann Jamaica
876-974-5633
Shaw Pk Ocho Rios, St Ann Jamaica
876-974-2581
The school is associated with the local Anglican Church…
St John’s Anglican Rectory
Shaw Pk Rd Ocho Rios, St Ann Jamaica
876-974-2075
St Johns Church Rectory
Shaw Pk Rd Ocho Rios, St Ann Jamaica
876-974-4422
I hope this helps.
Thanks for that info Keisha. 🙂
I had the opportunity to work in a school in Jamaica actually it was in Lyssons, St Thomas I loved it and go and give the kids school supplies as well when I go down there I am amble to send backpacks with some of the notebooks they need and pencils and other stuff my school sent down 5 barrels to schools with school supplies and another friend went to make sure it was shared out. I dont need to tell you that the children start school at a young age, walk down lanes and take taxis. At the age of 5 they sweep the floor and clean up thier class after lunch. I was there 5 days and had to leave anyone that lived in Jamaica or stayed with locals will tell you how some may discipline I mean I got spanked when I was a kid but down there some parents really lick their kids and the teacher do as well they call it lick but however you call it I know it hurts and being a teacher here in Canada I just couldnt take it. I do know that child abuse is now looked at more serious then before down there. Im planning a way to make people more aware of child abuse and spouse abuse but lets see how it goes. Its a dream of mine.
Empress that’s awesome what you did for the school in St Thomas! There needs to be many more people like you. 🙂
I find this blog to be really informative. I’m looking to move to Ja n I have a 7 year old n a 3 year old. I was just doing a research on schools for them when I came across this site. I’ve seen Columbus Prep while driving on the main road, but haven’t been up close to it or know anything about it, other than it’s the closest one to my home. MarJam Prep was also recommended to me(can anyone shed some site on that). St. John’s Prep -is this a catholic school? I’d really love to get them in catholic institutions. I went to Catholic school in Ja n I loved every minute of it, in fact, I’d give anything to live one more day of it.
Thanks for the compliment Lala! 🙂
heyyyyyyyyyy st.johns peeps
This reminds me of my prep school! We had to sing the National Anthem in our daily devotions every other day and say the National Pledge as well. Back then I probably did not see the significance but now I realize how important it is to know these things.
I went to this school for a year back in 87. I was one of two American in the school and loved it!
I LOVED my visit to St. John’s around this time last year. I still need to send one of the teachers the pics I took of her precious students!
i love this school so bad its ma fav big up st john’s prep
my point exactly
you posted about schools-but nothing about the inequality or education that is prevalent there.
and how many times have you posted about contributing to the island?? i always said that if i were to move there i would want to be giving back to the natives and helping to make their life better…tackling some of the real issues of jamaica such as healthcare, education, and government! with health being priority! i mean u talk a good game on here claiming to be this self righetous blogger who travels to JA for “culture purposes”…but you dont post nearly enough about the real issues of jamaica! that is where my real passion lies for jamaica! i have seen and heard it with my own eyes and ears their struggle! and it makes me so eager to try and give back or help…not all this other. and to prove your silly ass point as well as others i have dated 2 men from JA both still very good friends of mine!-i do not date jamaican men anymore for personal reasons but while i did-it did not make me any less knowledgeable nor adventourous as you are or claim to be! this is so surprising coming from you…but honestly like i said some of the things you’ve done can be judged and questioned as well! you’ve put yourself in harm and danger many times in jamaica but i never hear anyone bashing you for that! if anything you are encouraged for being brave…well some may call it that. so i dont think its really appropriate for you to down put women who like the men of jamaica or travel their for those purposes. kristi.
Thanks again for all the comments Mo. I feel like this blog does help people in Jamaica in a way that I’m promoting tourism and supporting local businesses, more than the giant tourist traps that most people go there for. I’m trying to do my part. Also, if you had followed me for the entire 4.5 years of this blog you would have read how I have personally tried to help a select few people. For instance, a few years ago I raised money through this blog to pay for a surgery for someone who desperately needed it that the “system” wouldn’t help. I feel good about that. Also I’ve tried to raise awareness about a lot of issues such as stray animals and those who shelter them.
I appreciate the conversation and your viewpoints.
cheri that is so nice i am sure they will really be happy about that
I went to this school in 1984! Seeing those photos brought back memories. Thanks!
I attended St. John’s Prep in 1967-68. The Head Mistress was Edyth Spence, later Edyth Lynch
Very cool Matt, this is like a reunion in the comments section lol. It seems lots of past students have posted here.
i want to move to Jamaica with my wife and 2 small children there are 2 years old I want to know whats the best place to live in and what are some great schools for somebody that never lived there befor
Hi Eddie. Before moving yourself and your family to Jamaica you should travel there a few times and explore all the areas yourself.
There is A LOT to know about the island before considering moving there.
Eddie, this is a response from a reader that somehow ended up in my email inbox, but not on here:
*************
Eddie,
I’m 53. I lived in Saint Ann’s Bay in the late 1960’s. Things have change quite a bit. I believe a nice area to settle might be somewhere around Mammee Bay, and/or between Saint Ann’s Bay and Ocho Rios. You can find properties for sale in this area online. Also, possibly continuing east toward Port Antonio. It’s a busy tourist corridor, but as you follow east on the north coast, the tourist areas thin out. The Montego Bay Airport would be about 1 – 2 hours away. Also you need to know where a good hospital is located. For your children, you would need to consider a private day school. As you know, I attended St. Johns Prep, Ocho Rios. I bussed from Saint Ann’s Bay daily. The experience was idyllic beyond compare. My sister attended boarding school, and had a tough time adjusting (We were a minority, white Americans, and you know how tough kids can be those who may be a little different). Jamaican white and English children seemed to assimilate more easily, as Jamaican culture is Anglo-centric. Jamaicans are wonderfully friendly and accepting.
My experience, as a young boy, was beyond compare, and remains with me as one of my greatest lifelong memories. Not a week passes, to this day, that I don’t recall or remember some great memory or experience there.
Matt
I attended St. John’s Prep and graduated in 1974. It was one of the best experience of my young life. I moved with my family to NY in my early teens. I have always wanted to go back to the school and visit when I would go to Jamaica. However, so much to do and so little time always prevented that. Great to know it is still around.
I graduated from St John’s Prep in 1974. It was wonderful! You never realize how much you miss the routine day to day things you used to do at school until you grow up. I live in New Jersey with my family, and I love telling my kids about my St. John’s days!
Aww Naomi that’s so nice to hear. Seems like everyone has such great things to say about this school!