St. Elizabeth Technical High School

is nestled in the Santa Cruz plains in the parish of St. Elizabeth, Jamaica, West Indies. The school has been a chief high school in St. Elizabeth, and has proved itself to be exemplars in education, sports, extra-curricular activities e.g. (4-H club) and many other disciplines. St. Elizabeth Technical has defeated the thought that only traditional high schools can excel academically by the increasing passes in CSEC and CAPE examinations. In addition, having students achieving nine and even ten subjects at the CSEC level, some in all grade ones eg.(nine ones - Shelly-Ann Houston in 2005).

History

The idea of building a Technical High School in Santa Cruz was initiated by the Santa Cruz Citizen's Association in 1958. Various representations were made to the Ministry of Education and Kaiser Bauxite Company. These institutions soon realized the importance of a Technical School and the latter donated twelve acres of land and a grant of ten thousand pounds from the Ministry to start the project.

The then Minister of Education, Hon F. L. Glasspole decided that Saint Elizabeth Technical High School be built, opening date being early 1961. The first batch of students were even chosen before the ground breaking ceremony.

Before the physical school existed Mr. E. G. Roper was appointed principal as of January 1, 1961. The school opened with 110 students on October 10, 1961 housed in one building. Under the direction of Mr. Roper a School Choir and a sports program was developed.

The school encountered problems in the early years, such as lack of equipment, insufficient water supply and insufficient boarding accommodation in the community. The members of staff together with Kaiser Bauxite Company contributed twelve thousand pounds to help alleviate the problems.

In 1962 evening classes commenced with an enrollment of 36 students. A year later Kaiser Bauxite Company lent tents and the second intake of students was made possible. At the end of the summer term the Workshop, Arts and Craft, Laboratory, and Home Economics blocks were added to the school building.

On January 27, 1964 112 new students were admitted and in September that year a new classroom block was completed and for the first time, students registered on the first day of the term. In 1962 the Administrative staff moved from two to four and the Academic staff from seven to twenty-five.

Esso Standard Oil Company donated funds for a Movie Projector, Power Saw and other equipment. The Emanuel Brothers of Santa Cruz gave two scholarships, one for a boy in Agriculture to the Jamaica School of Agriculture and the other for a girl to pursue Home Economics at Church Teachers College, Mandeville.

In 1966 Mr. E. G. Roper left to take up a position as Headmaster at Kingston Technical High School and was succeeded by Mr. J.C. Wray. Mr. J. A. Pottinger was appointed principal in 1970 to replace Mr. J. C. Wray who left for Alcan. In 1987, Mr. Samuel Watson became the principal of the noble institution until his retirement in 1999. From 1999 - 2008, ST.E.T.H.S was please to have their first female principal, Mrs. Dorothy Samuda. The school is now content with one its youngest principal since May 2008, Mr. Keith Wellington.

The student enrollment rose to Five hundred and thirty-eight with Fifteen Forms. In 1971 the Ministry of Education started construction of the Junior Secondary Department. In 1972 the student enrollment stood at Eleven hundred with the completion of the Junior Secondary Department. The curriculum was consequently widened to include such subjects as Arts, Science, and other Industrial and Vocational areas. The Board of Governors allocated funds for the construction of a road, the installation of electric fans in the auditorium, and the fencing of the playing field.

In 2007 the ST.E.T.H.S cricket team captured the headly cup, making it 20 times they have won the cup after four consequtive lost to former champions Holmwood Technical High School. The team held the cup for 19 years.

Emblems

* Colours: Gold and Navy Blue
* Motto: "Work and Integrity"

External links

* [http://members.tripod.com/~dmjano/steths.htm More information]