Wolmer's Schools

Wolmer's Schools, located in Kingston, Jamaica consists of Wolmer's Prep School and two high schools Wolmer's Girls' School and Wolmer's Boys' School. The original school is the oldest English speaking school in the Caribbean. Considered to amongst Jamaica's most prestigious secondary schools; with a traditional British approach including uniforms, a strong Christian ethos, homework, GCSEs, and a firm disciplinary code, the schools more closely resemble British schools of the 1950s than of today. [ [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/low/education/features/1867513.stm" British pupils sent to Jamaican school"] , BBC News, 11 March 2002]

History

The history goes back to May 21 1729 when John Woolmer left the bulk of his estate for the foundation of a free school in the parish in which he should happened to die. The sum of the legacy was 2,360 pounds sterling. The House of Assembly and the Council passed a law and the Wolmer’s Trust which would manage the affairs of the school was established in 1736.

In 1782, there were 64 boys and 15 girls on roll. The staff consisted of a Chief Master, a writing master and accountant, a teacher of mathematics and a teacher of the French and Spanish languages. In 1896, the schools were separated and independent heads appointed for the Boys’ and Girls’ schools. After 1907 earthquake, when most of the school buildings were destroyed, the schools were moved to their present site north of the Racecourse or what is now the National Heroes Park. [ [http://www.wolmers.net/boys/history.html "Woolmers' Boys - School History"] , Wolmer's Schools, 2003.]

Cricket

The Boys' school is notable in cricket in the West Indies for having produced six test wicket-keepers. The Daily Telegraph wrote: "One school: six Test wicket-keepers. There has never been any nurturing like it.". [http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/cricket/2374848/West-Indies-a-small-world-of-cricketing-connections.html "West Indies a small world of cricketing connections"] , Scyld Berry, The Daily Telegraph, 15 March 2004]

Notable alumni

* Karl Nunes, cricketer
* Ivan Barrow, cricketer
* Gerry Alexander, cricketer
* Jackie Hendricks, cricketer
* Jeff Dujon, cricketer
* Carlton Baugh, cricketer
* Allan Rae, cricketer
* Shelly Ann Fraser, track athlete

References

External links

* [http://www.wolmers.net/ Official site]