Jamaica College PTA celebrates a milestone on November 23

The Jamaica College PTA (JCPTA) will commemorate 10 years of transformation and will honour three of the champions of this change at an awards dinner on November 23 at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel at 7:00 p.m.

"R. Danny Williams, Ruel Reid, and Ian Forbes will be given special awards for their invaluable contribution to the school," said Robert C Dunkley, first vice-president, JCPTA.

Prime Minister Andrew Holness will be the keynote speaker.

As part of the 10th anniversary celebrations, The Church of The Ascension, and JC school chaplain Fr Michael Allen will host a service of thanksgiving today starting at 8:00 a.m.

The genesis of the transformation, Dunkley shared, goes back to 2006 when the JC school board, led by then chairman Dr R. Danny Williams, initiated programmes to transform the institution to the days of former glory. this saw the coming together of many stakeholders such as the Jamaica College Trust, The old boys association, the JCPTA, and what would come to be the Jamaica College Foundation.

Renovation and modernisation

As a part of the process, renovation and modernisation of major facilities on campus, construction of the Karl Hendrickson Auditorium, a new gymnasium, tennis courts, the Mayer Matalon Dormitories, expanded classroom facilities, and other improvements valued at in excess of $500 million were undertaken.

The teaching and administrative systems were also overhauled and Senator Ruel Reid, led the institution as the principal.

The transformation, Dunkley said, has reaped rewards over the past decade and catapulted Jamaica College as one of the best schools in the island.

"Our sports programme, led by chairman of the Sports Development Committee Ian Forbes, has seen the school take many of the most coveted football and track and field titles," he said. "Other teams such as basketball, lawn and table tennis, swimming, as well as robotics and performing arts have represented the school locally and overseas with much success and admiration."

The theme for this year's celebration is 'Transforming Champions to Greatness', and the proceeds will go towards the school's strategic development programme.