April 17, 1925, Daily Gleaner

The Ceremony was Performed by the Lord Bishop Of Jamaica.

THE SPEECHES MADE.

Much Needed Addition to the Secondary Schools Of This Island.

A step in advance in the realm of secondary education in Jamaica was made yesterday afternoon when the Kingston College, which is under the direct control and supervision of the Right Rev. G. C. deCarteret, Lord Bishop of Jamaica, was formally opened.

The opening took place at No. 111½ East Street, where the College is temporarily housed until the necessity arises for more spacious accommodation.

There was a large gathering which included the following: His Lordship the Bishop, Mr. P. O'Leary Bardsley, M.A., Director of Education; the Venerable Archdeacon W. Simms, Very Rev. Father McDonald, S.J., Mr. J. F. E. Reed, M.A., Mr. W. Cowper, M.A., Headmaster of Jamaica College; Mr. R. M. Murray, M.A., Headmaster of Wolmer's School; Rev. E. Price, B.D., B.A., Principal of Calabar College; Rev. David Davis, B.A., B.D.; Rev. P. W. Gibson, M.A., B.D.; Rev. Canon Ramson, M.A.; Rev. Canon L. Jones, Rev. P. Hendrick, M.A., Rev. P. B. Richardson, Rev. W. L. Brown, Rev. N. M. Reid, Sister Agnes, Sister Miriam, Messrs. J. M. Nethersole, Campbell, Foster, W. Campbell, H. S. Campbell, A. deCasseres, H. C. Hay, A. Chambers, G. Saunders, Dr. G. D. B. Gordon, Dr. Dunham.

The ceremony began in the school yard to the east of the building. Mr. Reed, who was specially invited as former Director of Education, in a short speech referred to the hopes which were crystallized in the school building and the pupils who had been enrolled. He thought that the school would prove a success and be another agency for the progress of the island intellectually and morally.

The Rev. E. Price followed with a humorous speech. He said he was pleased at the fact that the masters of the other secondary schools were present. It showed that there was no spirit of jealousy or unworthy rivalry amongst them. Mr. Price congratulated the management and wished God speed to the masters in their laudable work. He had come across many parents who had complained to him that the teachers of other boys had failed to discern the genius which existed in them. He hoped that Mr. Gibson would be more successful in that task.

The Rev. P. W. Gibson the Headmaster explained the genesis of the idea which brought about the school. He said that the standard which would be maintained would be a high one. It would not be by any means lower than that of similar schools in Kingston and other parts of the island. The boys would be prepared for the Cambridge "Local" and other examinations. But the passing of such examinations would not be the only object kept in view by the masters. There was one point which he would be exceedingly particular about, namely, the discipline, manners, appearance and address of the pupils. He did not know whether he would be successful, as Mr. Price hoped he would be, in the work of discovering geniuses, but he would not admit any boy who did not attain to a certain intellectual standard.

At present the staff would consist of three masters: himself, the Rev. G. A. Brown, who had passed the Intermediate Bachelor of Arts Examination, and Mr. Mitchell, a student of St. Peter's College. In September there would be coming along Mr. McDonald, who would be assistant master. The members of the staff would be persons who had a BRILLIANT SCHOLASTIC CAREER hitherto, or men studying to obtain a degree. They would not be satisfied with a staff of mediocre men. One main object of the school was to keep in mind the fact that a man who had obtained a degree might not be at the same time a good man to be utilized as a trainer of boys. The ability to teach and discipline boys well looked after. The school had already been fortunate in obtaining permission for the boys to use a cricket ground for games. They would therefore be trained in the school to be strong men, ready to face the world, fit for all the things asked of them.

A procession headed by the Bishop then marched into the schoolhouse, where His Lordship offered a prayer dedicating the building to the service of God as a school.

The Bishop thanked all those who were present for the expression of their appreciation, and especially the masters at the other secondary schools. Although the name of the school sounded rather ambitious, it showed the nature of their aspiration. He hoped that the school would grow to be an addition to the forces for good in the community. The Bishop then pronounced the Benediction. Three cheers were given to the Bishop and the audience inspected the various class rooms.

The school is established to meet the wants of the ever-increasing number of boys in Kingston and Lower St. Andrew requiring a secondary education, many of whom cannot gain admission to the existing schools. The purpose is to give an education based upon principles that will make for the development of character no less than of intellect. It is further felt that the opportunity should be afforded lads who are unable to enter a profession or to study for a London degree to go through a Kingston College course.

The object in view is that in course of time there will be a fair number of older boys and men for whom higher branches of study which are not generally taken up by the already existing secondary schools will be in the policy of the school to obtain as efficient a staff as possible and to give personal attention to the candidates.

Boys will be prepared for the Cambridge and London Examinations, and the curriculum will include: English, Latin, French and Greek; Arithmetic, Algebra, Geometry, Trigonometry, Geography.