Moments

A Pioneer Reminisces September 3, 1969, a few days before “The Day”, Maldon Junior Secondary School opened its doors and welcomed its first batch of students. “It was grades 7 to 9, and I was one of those that they convinced that it would not be any less than any other school at that level, so a few days before Jamaica converted from Pound Shilling and Pence to Dollars and cents, I started Maldon”. GLENDON HARRIS, a pioneer student reminisces about his journey through the various phases of Maldon High school, now celebrating its 50th year. He started as a grade 7 student; he was placed in 7/6 because of where in the alphabet his name fell. The system of placement, he relates, was later changed to one that evaluated the students according to their abilities, which Mr. Harris describes as a good system, as Maldon was “so equipped at the time to take you to any level that you want.” A calm repository of all things Maldon, Mr. Harris navigates through the various annals of Maldon’s history and his journey from student to Board Member to Political Representative for the division in which his Alma Mater falls. The school, he recalls, was the brain child of the visionaries at that time. Its opening was in response to the closure of the well-known Branch Texas College in 1964 which created a void and an urgent need for post primary education within the community. The Junior Secondary School was a new concept, and Maldon became the new home for his facility. “The school was actually incomplete “, Harris recalls “…landscaping wasn’t done, a lot of things were not in place, but school had to start.’ He laughed the first principal, Stanley Buddle, who led a team of young teachers and students to make it all come together. He named young male teachers at the time… Mel Wright, Clayton Solomon, Keith Thomas and Rudolph McFarlane, who worked hard, played hard and under Buddle’s leadership shaped the institution and laid tracks for its inevitable growth. “He was an inclusive Principal, He managed to get everybody involved, and by so doing transformed the grounds into one of the best kept school grounds in Jamaica at the time.” “At age 13, based on what I learned at Maldon, I was able to install a buzzer system at my house in Maroon Town”, he stated and with equal amount of pride, pointed to a gazebo on his present property, that he roofed all by himself. He remembers with much enthusiasm his carpentry skills, as well as his early interest in Agriculture all having their genesis at Maldon. I asked this accomplished pioneer what was he like at 12 years old attending High School in his community. He allowed an impish grin to escape his lips before he said, “This little boy that used to run most times from Maroon Town to Summer Hill… a little trouble some boy that used to be at the river head and Phoenix…the bad boy…real mischievous…but was a scholar…” He admitted that his various escapades led to his exit of Maldon at the end of grade 8. “I was pulled and sent to York Castle because of my trouble some ways” he conceded. Young Harris completed his secondary education at Cornwall College and was back home in his community. His involvement in Maldon High continued as he was asked by the Principal to teach Mathematics to a group of grade 11 students. “I was not much older than these guys…Danny James, Peter Wolfe, Dunno Singh…they challenged me…” At the end of that year, he was ushered off to college by one of his mentors, Upton Robotham. After college, Harris recalls that he had many options. He however, choose to return to his community. He credits this decision to his upbringing, and his desire to reciprocate to a community and institution that had given so much to him. Upon his return, he was approached by Principal Buddle and asked to assume the position of Past Student Representative on the Board of Management. This was one of his early leadership roles at Maldon. He agreed and during his tenure, he chaired a very successful 20th anniversary celebration. “It was all supported “, he gushed, “Sandra Singh was in charge of the magazine. It was that anniversary celebration that made me realize that Maldon students were in every field all over the world”. His second stint of leadership at Maldon was when he was named a Government Nominee to serve once again on the Board. Not long after, during the tenure of Upton Robotham as Chairman, Harris was elected Vice Chair to the Board. He recalls the list of distinguished gentlemen who served as Board Chairmen: Rev. Edwards, the first chair served from 69 to 80; he was followed by Hugh Douglas who was succeeded by Upton Robotham in 1989. After Robotham, Harris proudly served Chairman until 2009. Harris’s tenure on the Board was phenomenal as, to this date, he is the longest serving member of the Maldon High School Board. He recounts with much relish the various projects he undertook and successfully completed. The infrastructure was greatly improved under his stewardship. At the time, the plant consisted of three blocks, the Principals cottage and the Teachers flats. He set out on a mission and with very little resources, he expanded the campus. “There wasn’t a popular view at the time to move the school off the shift… the clerical staff was tumbling over each other…there was the urgent need for operational space”, he said. “With clean hands and heart I set out to improve my Alma Mater and I did.” “How do you feel now about your school”, I asked. “I’m very proud to have gone to Maldon. I am a well-rounded individual that benefitted from the life lessons learnt there.” “Regrets? I asked. “Not really …except that I never got the chance to complete the other two classrooms and to be a part of the transition from double shift to single.” GLENDON HARRIS JP, a proud pioneer… is his journey with Maldon complete? Not by a long shot.