Messages
ChairmanMr. Osric W. Forrest
Fifty years of dedicated service is a remarkable achievement for any institution. This occasion gives us a chance, not only to celebrate our Golden Jubilee, but also pause and reflect on our 50-year educational journey in the service of generations of families and young people of South St. James and beyond. I am personally honoured and delighted to be a part of the Maldon High School (MHS) has changed to nature over those 50 years, evolving from a shift school, it has now become more inclusive and outward-looking while retaining the very best of its education tradition. It remains an institution where students from Montego Bay and its environs integrates with students from South St. James, all benefitting from an environment which promotes learning with a global perspective. Since its establishment, MHS has firmly embraced its motto “Learn To Live”, nurturing generations of students who have proceeded to numerous careers and professions with commitment to serving the society. A lot has changed over the years, we are much bigger and a much better school in so many ways. However, one thing has not changed, our purpose-To be place where children are inspired to learn and where they live and thrive as individuals, a place filled with young people who care about each other and about making the world a better place. As we continue on this path of engagement and empowerment of our students, The Board of Management of Maldon High School will ensure that the school curriculum be enhanced to meet industry needs by strengthening the Technical Vocational Training Components, improvement of technological support and student services while linking students interest to career opportunities. This student centered, career focused approach is guaranteed to equip our students with “wings” ensuring they are ready to engage the world of work in the Global Market Place. The Golden Jubilee year is a wonderful opportunity for the entire MHS community to come together and celebrate the schools remarkable achievements in half a century. Looking back at its history, Maldon High School has always risen to its challenges and made the most of its opportunities. It is time to make all concern
PrincipalMrs. Janet Manning
Fifty years in the life of any institution is a testament to what can be achieved on the pillars of FAITH, HARDWORK, and DEDICATION. FAITH because it was in 1969 that then the Ministry of Education reposed complete confidence and trust in the future of the adolescents of Maldon and its environs. With hard work and dedication, the school has matured into one of the finest Secondary Level institutions in St. James. Throughout the years, different stakeholders have committed the growth and development of this Beacon on the hill. Today, we stand proud as we celebrate our 50th year at the crease. These 50 years have not been without its challenges but, like great batsmen, we have faced the different balls from the different bowlers: the fast, the medium and the spin. At times we hit them for six, all the way into the pavilion, other times, we drove them though the covers for four, and we always ensured that we increased the score by running carefully between the wickets to secure our ones and twos. The lessons have been numerous; we have learnt to “leave alone” and to punish the occasional wide delivery. Through it all however, we bask in the fact that our graduates, MALDONIANS, can be found in every “nook and cranny” of the globe. As we celebrate our 50th, we cast our eyes over our shoulders and beam with pride at our glory moments. Our challenges and less proud shots, we convert into teachable ones as we seek to build on the great legacy which has been planted by our leaders. We are honoured to be a part of History and remain committed to the journey. In closing. I offer immense commendations to those who faced the first ball and thereby opening the inning fifty years ago. For those of us in the middle of the order, we are at the crease… Let us look ahead with confidence to another glorious half century… as we continue the journey.
Vice PrincipalMs. Carol Waite
President of the Alumni AssociationPicture & Info (coming soon)
Evolution Of Maldon
Maldon High School is located in the district of Summer Hill, in Southern St. James and is approximately 16 miles from Montego Bay. The school was to be constructed in the Maldon community, but owing to the lack of the land space in the desired area, land was acquired in Summer Hill, but the institution still retained the name Maldon. In order to facilitate the necessary expansion for Agriculture to be a main feature the school required a ten acres plot. The then Member of Parliament for the area, Honourable R.C Mcfarlene, selected the current spot and made recommendation to the then Minister of Education. The Honourable Edwin Allen, after careful consideration, gave the go ahead for the construction. This was a joint venture between the Canadian and Jamaican Government. The Maldon Secondary School was open on the first Monday in September 1969. It operated on one shift beginning at 8:30 a.m. and ending at 3:30 p.m. It had classes ranging from grades 7 to 9, with each grade having six streams. The staff consisted of Principal, Mr. Stanley M. Buddle, twenty teachers, two Clerical Assistants, Principals Secretary, eight ancillary members and one Bursar. The first Chairman of the institution was Reverent Edwards. Subjects such as Mathematics, English, Spanish, Integrated Science, Agricultural Science, Physical Education, Art and Crafts, Home Economics, Industrial Arts, Religious Education, Music and Social Studies were offered. A truck Shop and a Canteen soon came into operation where warm lunches and snacks were provided for the school community. Initially there was no form of beautification at the school. An initiative to improve the aesthetics of the school was launched jointly by the then Agricultural Science teacher, Mr Edwards, and the 4-H Leader and Industrial Arts teacher Mr. Neville Harding. In the years to come the school grew rapidly, and soon included in its programme were active clubs such as 4-H, Music, Sports and Choral Speaking. The students participated in festivals which awarded them several gold, silver, bronze medals along with Certificates of Participation. Due to the increasing number of students and the need for technical skill in the secondary schools, the grade 10 and 11 programme was introduced in Maldon Secondary School in 1974. The school’s curriculum was widened to include Electrical Installation, Machine Shop, and Welding, Child Care, Business Education and Clothing and Textile. With extension to the school’s curriculum the need arose for more class room space, hence the commencement of the two shift systems in 1974. The shifts opened from 7 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. respectively. In that same year the construction of the new classrooms were undertaken. In 1993 when the Government Reform of Education (ROSE) programme came into effect, Maldon was again reclassified to Comprehensive High and Junior High. This resulted in a change to the curriculum with emphasis being placed on Resource and Technology for grades seven through nine students. This also saw the introduction of the Junior High School Certificate (JHSC) examination at the end of Grades 9. Based on this examination, students from All Age Schools were awarded places at the school for the Technical / Vocational areas. For the first time in the history of the school, a total of 30 Common Entrance students were awarded places at the school. In subsequent years the numbers grew to a maximum of 363 students through the introduction of the Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT). In that same year Computer Studies were introduced to the school by Miss Andrea Rossi, An American resident under the recommendation of Doctor Harvey Morgan whose company sponsored the programme. By 1994, The Caribbean Examination Council examinations CXC was introduced as an option for students who wanted regional certification as well as to meet the matriculation requirements for tertiary institutions. In 1995, the school was again reclassified to Maldon Comprehensive High. Finally in 1999, having acquired equal status with traditional schools, the institution was renamed to Maldon High School. Through the Secondary School Enhancement Program (SSEP), The Science Laboratory, Library, Computer Room were refurbished and a Reading Room was established, in that same year. An additional four classrooms and administrative office space were constructed in 2004 under Chairmanship of Glen Harris, then Councillor for Southern St. James. September 2006 saw an additional group of special students being placed at the school on the Government Enhancement Program (Empowerment). This programme was introduced to facilitate students who fell below the cohort of Grade 9 Achievement Test GNAT Awardees. Since the Maldon has facilitated students who have been a part of other governmental initiatives such as ASTEP, BRIDGE and presently APSE programme. In September 2015, Principal, Mrs. Janet Manning experimented with an extended day so as to get off the shift system. This had its challenges, however this segwayed the institution into one single shift in 2016. This meant school began 7:30 a.m. and ended at 2:05 p.m. The time was later revised to 7:45 a.m.-2:20 p.m. In 2019, three additional classrooms, teachers’ prep room, student’s water closets and restrooms were completed, courtesy of the National Education Trust (NET). This institution has been through numerous changes to its curriculum and infrastructure and remain relentless in its efforts in positioning itself as one of the top high schools in Jamaica. Despite numerous challenges throughout the years, Maldon High School has graduated many great scholars, many of whom are at the top of their careers fields, and are scattered across the globe. They are extremely proud of their economic status and achievements and owe much of their success to the nurturing of this noble institution. Though most of its students remain local, the North American continent is home to the majority of Maldon Alumini outside of Jamaica. There are huge concentrations of Alumni in Florida, New York and New Jersey in the USA and several large cities in Canada, including Ontario, Quebec and Ottawa, just to mention a few. These alumni are passionate and dedicated in their quest to support and build the core values of the Institution. It has been fifty years on this journey, yet Maldon High School continues to make strides in the areas of sport, performing arts, technical and vocational skills and academics. This noble institution is resolute in continuing the legacy of insuring that all those who are fortunate enough to be educated here ‘Learn To Live’.
"Learn To Live"
Privacy Policy
Stanley M. BuddleFounding Principal
THROUGH THE EYES OF MRS. BUDDLE : REMEMBERING MALDON’S FIRST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEFBy Derrio Johnson
THROUGH THE EYES OF MRS. BUDDLE : REMEMBERING MALDON’S FIRST COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF By Derrio Johnson To know Maldon is to become familiar with the story of Stanley Buddle-the first Principal of this noble institution. He served in the capacity of the headmaster from 1969 to 1996. While Stanley Buddle has been deceased for many years, his name echoes far and wide when persons reflect on the school. To recapture the Maldon journey, I travelled to meet his widow, Mrs. Joyce Buddle. Despite hearing hearing numerous stories about her husband, it was my first time meeting Mrs. Buddle in person. Having herself retired from the teaching profession, she has retreated to a quieter life, one more befitting of her rather reserved character. “I don’t know what we are going to talk about,” she warned, punctuating her statement with a smile. “I am not a talker.” Maybe I was surprised to the fact that Mrs. Buddle is an introvert. Her modesty struck me immediately. Smiling coyishly, she reminded me repeatedly that she doesn’t like the spotlight, even as I attempted to pull her in with my line of questions. The afternoon on her verandah couldn’t have been more perfect, nonetheless. I was surrounded by beautiful blooms and the perfect spatter of rain drops outside. I made myself comfortable on the chair across from her, as I readied myself for the interview. Being such a private lady, I refrained from asking too many personal questions, instead taking the opportunity to learn more about her late husband and this school’s first leader. Questions? DJ: Tell me about your Mr. Buddle? Where was he from originally? Mrs. Buddle: Stanley originated from St. Ann. His mother was from St. Ann and his father was from Montego Bay. DJ: So how and when did you meet him? Mrs. Buddle: I was teaching at Mulgrave. He came to Mulgrave and saw me. He was a Tollgate as a classroom teacher before that. Then I moved to (Maldon) Primary School. I didn’t go to Maldon until ’72 or ’73. I left in ’96. He was in his thirties when he came to Maldon. DJ: What kind of leader was Mr. Buddle? Mrs. Buddle: He was stern but kind, sympathetic, caring and interested in the children’s welfare. As a leader he was approachable; parents were very respectful towards him and could approach him anytime. He set a high standard, though. They (parents) had to be well mannered and properly attired. He respected people and people respected him. The people loved him. He had a strong voice and as they (the students) saw him coming they knew they needed to find their places because he believed in discipline. He was a hard worker who wanted everyone to succeed. Seeing the students achieve their goals gave him most fulfillment. DJ: were you a strict teacher too? Mrs. Buddle: “So They (people) say”. You have to be stern to get some to respond though. Some will recent it at first then they appreciate it. DJ: Was the process of getting into teaching similar to what it is today? Mrs. Buddle: I just went to college. The Principal and Vice Principal went to university but we (teachers) were just college trained. DJ: As a teacher in the ‘70’s, what were the students like? Mrs. Buddle: Some of our students were not very receptive to learning. However they were fairly disciplined. The first batch of students were (just) seventh graders. Maldon started as a Secondary, then to Comprehensive then to High. As the years progressed, you had to teach rules to some of them, especially boys. DJ: As a teacher at Maldon, what subjects did you teach? Mrs. Buddle: I taught English, Math and Home Economics to the slower students, plus I was homeroom teacher, I think to grade 9. It was a lot of work to teach all three areas. As a matter of fact, I was Head of the Home Economics Department. The children loved Home Economics but not so much Math and English. Towards the latter part, I was the Work Experience teacher. DJ: What was Mr. Buddle’s greatest achievements at Maldon? Mrs. Buddle: He saw the school grow. Not only in numbers but academically. DJ: What was it like to be the woman behind the man? Was there any additional pressure since you were the Principals wife? Mrs. Buddle: I have always been quiet, behind the scenes person. I don’t like the publicity, so I was always in the background supporting Stanley and nudging him to do things. DJ: And finally, what advice do you think Mr. Buddle would give to teachers today? Mrs. Buddle: He would say love your students. Help them as much as possible. Be interested in the students, not the pound, shilling and pence. Love the job.
!Information Will Be Updated Soon!
