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.
Picture of Jamaica school sign
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.
Map of Jamaica parishes and counties
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.
Picture of Jamaica's national symbols
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.
Picture of Jamaica's national heroes
I promise to bring back more pictures of schools next month. I’m leaving for the island again in a couple weeks! Stay tuned………..
7:19 am on March 27th, 2009
i love the schools and watching the children come home in their lovely uniforms they look so nice
7:51 am on March 27th, 2009
I LOVE the uniforms too!! Later on I’m gonna do a post about the school children too so stay tuned. Probably after this next trip.
8:16 pm on April 27th, 2009
Wow i went to this school thank you so much i really enjoyed this
9:32 pm on April 27th, 2009
Seriously?? That’s awesome! Small world.
10:00 pm on March 2nd, 2010
great school i send both my son and daugher their, my son soon graduate though. we live near by too.
10:24 pm on March 8th, 2010
This is my old prep school….memories. A lot bigger than when I attended. There were only 250 of us.
1:25 pm on March 13th, 2010
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!!
2:12 pm on March 13th, 2010
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.
9:30 pm on March 29th, 2010
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…
10:29 pm on March 29th, 2010
Cool! A reunion is happening on my blog LOL!
10:42 am on April 24th, 2010
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!!
8:13 am on May 5th, 2010
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!
5:39 pm on June 18th, 2010
My son went to this school, i dont regret a moment of sending him there.They have great teachers.
7:21 pm on June 18th, 2010
That’s great to hear! I’m surprised how many alumni have found this post and commented that they went to this school.
8:16 am on July 7th, 2010
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?
10:48 am on July 7th, 2010
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.