Wolmer's Schools
Encyclopedia
Wolmer's Schools, located in Kingston
, Jamaica
consists of Wolmer's Pre-School, Wolmer's Prep School and two high school
s Wolmer's Girls' School and Wolmer's Boys' School. The original school is the second oldest (Combermere in Barbados was established in 1695) English speaking school in the Caribbean
. The Wolmer's Schools are considered among Jamaica's most prestigious schools, with a traditional British-style uniforms, a Christian ethos, homework, and a firm disciplinary code. The schools more closely resemble British schools of the 1950s than of today.
Little is known of John Wolmer except that he was a goldsmith in Kingston for more than twenty years. It is possible that he was originally from Switzerland. We know that he was married in the St. Andrew Parish Church on July 1705 and that he died in Kingston on June 29, 1729.
There were some delays in giving effect to Wolmer's will but, after many amendments and conferences between the House of Assembly and the Council, a law was passed and in 1736 the Wolmer's Trust, which would manage the affairs of the school, was established.
The original Wolmer's Trustees then, as now, were persons of great repute in society. In fact, in the early days the trustees threatened to outnumber the students. They included the Commander-in-Chief and four senior members of Council. There was the Speaker of the House of Assembly; the Chief Justice; the Custos of Kingston; the four senior Magistrates of Kingston; all the members of the Assembly for Kingston; the Anglican Rector; the Church Wardens and vestrymen of Kingston plus six free citizens to be appointed each year.
The law that established the Wolmer's school made no distinction in respect of colour, class or creed of the students, nor was there discrimination between boys and girls. In 1782, there were 64 boys and 15 girls on roll and the staff consisted of a Chief Master; a writing master and accountant; a teacher of mathematics and a teacher of the French and Spanish languages.
The Wolmer's school was originally situated in downtown Kingston at what is still known as the Wolmer's Yard, now a parking lot and vendors' arcade beside the Kingston Parish Church. In 1896, the schools were separated and independent heads appointed for the Boys' and Girls' schools. After the 1907 earthquake
, when most of the school buildings were destroyed, the schools were relocated to its present site, north of Race Course or what is now the National Heroes Park.
In 1941, at the instigation of Miss Skempton, the headmistress of Wolmer's Girls, the preparatory school was established to ‘feed' the girls' school. It began with six girls in the area which now houses the canteen and art room.
Over the years, the Wolmer's Schools have had many benefactors who have helped to ensure that the schools, which at the start of the new millennium comprise some 3,000 students and 150 faculty members, have fulfilled the hope expressed in the law of 1736, that Wolmer's would become "a very considerable and beneficial seminary of learning for youth".
Thoughts each Founder's Day go back to John Wolmer. A marble memorial in the Kingston Parish Church shows a seated figure of Liberty holding a medallion of the crest of the school and the sun of Learning breaking through the clouds of Ignorance.
Since Wolmer's bequest, there have been many other contributions to the schools by citizens. The largest recorded legacy to Wolmer's was made in 1831 when Ellis Wolfe donated £1000. In 1998, Vernon A Barrett, an Old Boy, endowed the trust with $5 million for the three schools. Houses have been named after several of the benefactors. Glasspole House was named after His Excellency, the Most Honourable Sir Florizel Glasspole, O.N., G.C.M.G., G.C.V.O., C.D., LL.D.(Hon) former Governor General and Old Boy, who chaired the 250th Anniversary Celebration Committee and was instrumental in the building of the joint sixth form block, completed in 1984. Sir Florizel died on November 25, 2000. The Wolmer's Trust owns all the lands housing the three schools and is responsible for their maintenance and repair.
, which incorporates the optional year 12
and 13
, collectively known as Sixth Form
. The first year of secondary school is regarded as first form, or year seven
, and the subsequent year groups are numbered in increasing order up to sixth form. Students in the upper sixth form (year thirteen) are prepared for their GCE A-level examinations, however the option exists to sit exams after completing lower sixth form (year 12).
WOLMERIAN JAMAICA & RHODES SCHOLARS
These include
, Football, Basketball
, Lawn Tennis, Chess
, Badminton
, Field hockey
, Athletics, Swimming
, water polo
, table tennis
, Cadets, debating, Key Club
, Rotoract club, Rotary Interact club, Drama
, Rifle Shooting, Volley Ball and Schools Challenge Quiz
, Football, Basketball
, Lawn Tennis, Chess
, Badminton
, Field hockey
, Athletics, Swimming
, water polo
, table tennis
, Cadets, debating, Key Club
, Rotoract club, Interact club, Drama
, and Schools Challenge Quiz
and the West Indies Cricket Team. As a matter of fact, Wolmer's Boys' School is noted in cricket
in the West Indies for having produced six test
wicket-keeper
s. The Daily Telegraph
wrote: "One school: six Test wicket-keepers. There has never been any nurturing like it.".
Marlon M.C. Case B Sc MBA.
Over 100 years later, WOBA has evolved into a legally recognised charitable association that operates exclusively for the betterment of our school, the Wolmer's Trust High School for Boys.
Connected by our maroon and gold heritage, WOBA’s membership comprises alumna from virtually all walks of life who contribute their time, talents and resources towards, the advancement of the traditions of excellence known to "our school we all love dearly".
WOBA's core activities are geared towards providing financial support to our school and its students. We support educational initiatives and programmes that facilitate the holistic development of the students.
To this end, WOBA organises and executes various fund raising initiatives, of which our Annual Banquet a signature event.
WOBA also operates an ongoing mentorship programme that seeks to provide guidance and positive examples to the young men enrolled at our alma mater.
Our events and activities facilitate the Association's century old objectives and strengthens the Wolmer’s family and legacy.
The Constitution
and By-Laws for WOBA is http://www.wolmersoldboys.org/node4
Arts and Culture
Business and Finance
Clergy
Journalism and Media
Life sciences and medicine
Military and emergency services
Politics and law
Sports
There are four houses at Wolmer's Preparatory and Pre-School:
There are six houses at Wolmer's Trust High School for Girls
Kingston, Jamaica
Kingston is the capital and largest city of Jamaica, located on the southeastern coast of the island. It faces a natural harbour protected by the Palisadoes, a long sand spit which connects the town of Port Royal and the Norman Manley International Airport to the rest of the island...
, Jamaica
Jamaica
Jamaica is an island nation of the Greater Antilles, in length, up to in width and 10,990 square kilometres in area. It is situated in the Caribbean Sea, about south of Cuba, and west of Hispaniola, the island harbouring the nation-states Haiti and the Dominican Republic...
consists of Wolmer's Pre-School, Wolmer's Prep School and two high school
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
s Wolmer's Girls' School and Wolmer's Boys' School. The original school is the second oldest (Combermere in Barbados was established in 1695) English speaking school in the Caribbean
Caribbean
The Caribbean is a crescent-shaped group of islands more than 2,000 miles long separating the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea, to the west and south, from the Atlantic Ocean, to the east and north...
. The Wolmer's Schools are considered among Jamaica's most prestigious schools, with a traditional British-style uniforms, a Christian ethos, homework, and a firm disciplinary code. The schools more closely resemble British schools of the 1950s than of today.
History
Wolmer's can boast of being the oldest school in the Caribbean having been founded on May 21, 1729. This was the day John Wolmer made his last will and testament, leaving the bulk of his estate for the foundation of a free school in the parish of his death. The sum of the legacy was £2,360.Little is known of John Wolmer except that he was a goldsmith in Kingston for more than twenty years. It is possible that he was originally from Switzerland. We know that he was married in the St. Andrew Parish Church on July 1705 and that he died in Kingston on June 29, 1729.
There were some delays in giving effect to Wolmer's will but, after many amendments and conferences between the House of Assembly and the Council, a law was passed and in 1736 the Wolmer's Trust, which would manage the affairs of the school, was established.
The original Wolmer's Trustees then, as now, were persons of great repute in society. In fact, in the early days the trustees threatened to outnumber the students. They included the Commander-in-Chief and four senior members of Council. There was the Speaker of the House of Assembly; the Chief Justice; the Custos of Kingston; the four senior Magistrates of Kingston; all the members of the Assembly for Kingston; the Anglican Rector; the Church Wardens and vestrymen of Kingston plus six free citizens to be appointed each year.
The law that established the Wolmer's school made no distinction in respect of colour, class or creed of the students, nor was there discrimination between boys and girls. In 1782, there were 64 boys and 15 girls on roll and the staff consisted of a Chief Master; a writing master and accountant; a teacher of mathematics and a teacher of the French and Spanish languages.
The Wolmer's school was originally situated in downtown Kingston at what is still known as the Wolmer's Yard, now a parking lot and vendors' arcade beside the Kingston Parish Church. In 1896, the schools were separated and independent heads appointed for the Boys' and Girls' schools. After the 1907 earthquake
1907 Kingston earthquake
The 1907 Kingston earthquake which shook the capital of the island of Jamaica with a magnitude of 6.5 on the moment magnitude scale on Monday January 14th, at about 3:30 pm local time , was considered by many writers of that time one of the world's deadliest earthquakes recorded in history...
, when most of the school buildings were destroyed, the schools were relocated to its present site, north of Race Course or what is now the National Heroes Park.
In 1941, at the instigation of Miss Skempton, the headmistress of Wolmer's Girls, the preparatory school was established to ‘feed' the girls' school. It began with six girls in the area which now houses the canteen and art room.
Over the years, the Wolmer's Schools have had many benefactors who have helped to ensure that the schools, which at the start of the new millennium comprise some 3,000 students and 150 faculty members, have fulfilled the hope expressed in the law of 1736, that Wolmer's would become "a very considerable and beneficial seminary of learning for youth".
Thoughts each Founder's Day go back to John Wolmer. A marble memorial in the Kingston Parish Church shows a seated figure of Liberty holding a medallion of the crest of the school and the sun of Learning breaking through the clouds of Ignorance.
Since Wolmer's bequest, there have been many other contributions to the schools by citizens. The largest recorded legacy to Wolmer's was made in 1831 when Ellis Wolfe donated £1000. In 1998, Vernon A Barrett, an Old Boy, endowed the trust with $5 million for the three schools. Houses have been named after several of the benefactors. Glasspole House was named after His Excellency, the Most Honourable Sir Florizel Glasspole, O.N., G.C.M.G., G.C.V.O., C.D., LL.D.(Hon) former Governor General and Old Boy, who chaired the 250th Anniversary Celebration Committee and was instrumental in the building of the joint sixth form block, completed in 1984. Sir Florizel died on November 25, 2000. The Wolmer's Trust owns all the lands housing the three schools and is responsible for their maintenance and repair.
Curriculum
At the secondary school level, Wolmer's Schools follows the traditional English grammar school model used throughout the British West IndiesBritish West Indies
The British West Indies was a term used to describe the islands in and around the Caribbean that were part of the British Empire The term was sometimes used to include British Honduras and British Guiana, even though these territories are not geographically part of the Caribbean...
, which incorporates the optional year 12
Year Twelve
Year Twelve is an educational year group in schools in many countries including England, Wales, Northern Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. It is sometimes the twelfth year of compulsory education, or alternatively a year of post-compulsory education...
and 13
Year Thirteen
Year Thirteen is an educational year group in schools in many countries including England, Wales, Northern Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. It is sometimes the thirteenth and final year of compulsory education, or alternatively a year of post-compulsory education...
, collectively known as Sixth Form
Sixth form
In the education systems of England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, and of Commonwealth West Indian countries such as Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Belize, Jamaica and Malta, the sixth form is the final two years of secondary education, where students, usually sixteen to eighteen years of age,...
. The first year of secondary school is regarded as first form, or year seven
Year Seven
Year Seven is an educational year group in schools in many countries including England, Wales, Australia and New Zealand. It is usually the seventh year of compulsory education and incorporates students aged between eleven and thirteen.-Australia:...
, and the subsequent year groups are numbered in increasing order up to sixth form. Students in the upper sixth form (year thirteen) are prepared for their GCE A-level examinations, however the option exists to sit exams after completing lower sixth form (year 12).
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School crest
The Wolmer's Schools Crest is a replica of the original School Seal from the 1700s and represents "The Sun of Learning bursting through the Cloud of Ignorance".Rhodes Scholars
Since 1904, Wolmer's Schools has had the enviable heritage of producing 21 Rhodes Scholars who have gone on to lead in various capacities both locally and internationally.WOLMERIAN JAMAICA & RHODES SCHOLARS
- 1907 VALENTINE, G. E. - Jamaica
- 1909 NETHERSOLE, John M - Rhodes (Keble)
- 1910 MERCIER, Frederick C. - Rhodes (Jesus)
- 1911 STEPHENSON, Daniel P. - Rhodes (Lincoln)
- 1914 FERGUSON, V. L. - Jamaica
- 1918 LOCKETT, Maynard V. - Rhodes (St. John's)
- 1923 WHITTLE, D. L - Jamaica
- 1925 PRICE, E.W. - Jamaica
- 1929 ROYES, Kenneth C. - Rhodes (Wadham)
- 1932 SLEEM, K.A. - Jamaica
- 1933 BURROWES, James T. - Rhodes (St. John's)
- 1937 MARTIN, S. L. - Jamaica
- 1938 STREET, S.P. - Jamaica
- 1938 LEVY, Roy - Rhodes (St. John's)
- 1940 MARTIN, Ronald Brown - Rhodes(Brasenose).
- 1941 BURROWES, William D - Rhodes (St. John's).
- 1946 BONITTO, John H. D. - Rhodes (Queen's)
- 1949 WYNTER, Hector L. - Rhodes (Exeter)
- 1950 MARKES, J. H. - Jamaica
- 1952 DICKSON, Roy W. - Rhodes (Exeter)
- 1953 BOGLE, Donald L. - Rhodes (Brasenose).
- 1959 THAMES, Henry Earl - Rhodes (New College)
- 1970 ALEXANDER, George H. - Rhodes (Balliol)
- 1975 MORRISON, Cecil D. -Rhodes (Balliol)
- 1976 MORDECAI, Jeffrey S. - Rhodes (St. Catherine's)
- 1985 GOLDSON, Peter S. -Rhodes (St. John's)
- 1986 ABEL, Evan Dale - Rhodes (Green College)
- 1988 McBEAN, David -Rhodes (St, John's)
- 1988 McDONALD, Sheldon -Jamaica
- 2000 HANCHARD, Neil -Rhodes (Green)
Extracurricular activities
Wolmer's Schools ethos is governed by the adage "a Sound Mind in a Sound Body" and as such significant emphasis is placed on the extracurricular activities.These include
Wolmer's Boys' School
CricketCricket
Cricket is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of 11 players on an oval-shaped field, at the centre of which is a rectangular 22-yard long pitch. One team bats, trying to score as many runs as possible while the other team bowls and fields, trying to dismiss the batsmen and thus limit the...
, Football, Basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
, Lawn Tennis, Chess
Chess
Chess is a two-player board game played on a chessboard, a square-checkered board with 64 squares arranged in an eight-by-eight grid. It is one of the world's most popular games, played by millions of people worldwide at home, in clubs, online, by correspondence, and in tournaments.Each player...
, Badminton
Badminton
Badminton is a racquet sport played by either two opposing players or two opposing pairs , who take positions on opposite halves of a rectangular court that is divided by a net. Players score points by striking a shuttlecock with their racquet so that it passes over the net and lands in their...
, Field hockey
Field hockey
Field Hockey, or Hockey, is a team sport in which a team of players attempts to score goals by hitting, pushing or flicking a ball into an opposing team's goal using sticks...
, Athletics, Swimming
Swimming (sport)
Swimming is a sport governed by the Fédération Internationale de Natation .-History: Competitive swimming in Europe began around 1800 BCE, mostly in the form of the freestyle. In 1873 Steve Bowyer introduced the trudgen to Western swimming competitions, after copying the front crawl used by Native...
, water polo
Water polo
Water polo is a team water sport. The playing team consists of six field players and one goalkeeper. The winner of the game is the team that scores more goals. Game play involves swimming, treading water , players passing the ball while being defended by opponents, and scoring by throwing into a...
, table tennis
Table tennis
Table tennis, also known as ping-pong, is a sport in which two or four players hit a lightweight, hollow ball back and forth using table tennis rackets. The game takes place on a hard table divided by a net...
, Cadets, debating, Key Club
Key Club
Key Club International is the oldest and largest service program for high school students. It is a student-led organization whose goal is to teach leadership through serving others. Key Club International is a part of the Kiwanis International family of service-leadership programs...
, Rotoract club, Rotary Interact club, Drama
Drama
Drama is the specific mode of fiction represented in performance. The term comes from a Greek word meaning "action" , which is derived from "to do","to act" . The enactment of drama in theatre, performed by actors on a stage before an audience, presupposes collaborative modes of production and a...
, Rifle Shooting, Volley Ball and Schools Challenge Quiz
Wolmer's High School for Girls
NetballNetball
Netball is a ball sport played between two teams of seven players. Its development, derived from early versions of basketball, began in England in the 1890s. By 1960 international playing rules had been standardised for the game, and the International Federation of Netball and Women's Basketball ...
, Football, Basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
, Lawn Tennis, Chess
Chess
Chess is a two-player board game played on a chessboard, a square-checkered board with 64 squares arranged in an eight-by-eight grid. It is one of the world's most popular games, played by millions of people worldwide at home, in clubs, online, by correspondence, and in tournaments.Each player...
, Badminton
Badminton
Badminton is a racquet sport played by either two opposing players or two opposing pairs , who take positions on opposite halves of a rectangular court that is divided by a net. Players score points by striking a shuttlecock with their racquet so that it passes over the net and lands in their...
, Field hockey
Field hockey
Field Hockey, or Hockey, is a team sport in which a team of players attempts to score goals by hitting, pushing or flicking a ball into an opposing team's goal using sticks...
, Athletics, Swimming
Swimming (sport)
Swimming is a sport governed by the Fédération Internationale de Natation .-History: Competitive swimming in Europe began around 1800 BCE, mostly in the form of the freestyle. In 1873 Steve Bowyer introduced the trudgen to Western swimming competitions, after copying the front crawl used by Native...
, water polo
Water polo
Water polo is a team water sport. The playing team consists of six field players and one goalkeeper. The winner of the game is the team that scores more goals. Game play involves swimming, treading water , players passing the ball while being defended by opponents, and scoring by throwing into a...
, table tennis
Table tennis
Table tennis, also known as ping-pong, is a sport in which two or four players hit a lightweight, hollow ball back and forth using table tennis rackets. The game takes place on a hard table divided by a net...
, Cadets, debating, Key Club
Key Club
Key Club International is the oldest and largest service program for high school students. It is a student-led organization whose goal is to teach leadership through serving others. Key Club International is a part of the Kiwanis International family of service-leadership programs...
, Rotoract club, Interact club, Drama
Drama
Drama is the specific mode of fiction represented in performance. The term comes from a Greek word meaning "action" , which is derived from "to do","to act" . The enactment of drama in theatre, performed by actors on a stage before an audience, presupposes collaborative modes of production and a...
, and Schools Challenge Quiz
Cricket
Wolmer's Boys School was once referred to , locally, as the "University of Cricket" having the most wins of the Sunlight Cup for Inter Scholastic Under 19 Cricket. Wolmer's Boys has produced many cricketers that have represented JamaicaJamaica
Jamaica is an island nation of the Greater Antilles, in length, up to in width and 10,990 square kilometres in area. It is situated in the Caribbean Sea, about south of Cuba, and west of Hispaniola, the island harbouring the nation-states Haiti and the Dominican Republic...
and the West Indies Cricket Team. As a matter of fact, Wolmer's Boys' School is noted in cricket
Cricket
Cricket is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of 11 players on an oval-shaped field, at the centre of which is a rectangular 22-yard long pitch. One team bats, trying to score as many runs as possible while the other team bowls and fields, trying to dismiss the batsmen and thus limit the...
in the West Indies for having produced six test
Test cricket
Test cricket is the longest form of the sport of cricket. Test matches are played between national representative teams with "Test status", as determined by the International Cricket Council , with four innings played between two teams of 11 players over a period of up to a maximum five days...
wicket-keeper
Wicket-keeper
The wicket-keeper in the sport of cricket is the player on the fielding side who stands behind the wicket or stumps being guarded by the batsman currently on strike...
s. The Daily Telegraph
The Daily Telegraph
The Daily Telegraph is a daily morning broadsheet newspaper distributed throughout the United Kingdom and internationally. The newspaper was founded by Arthur B...
wrote: "One school: six Test wicket-keepers. There has never been any nurturing like it.".
Wolmer's Old Boys' Association
The Wolmer's Old Boys' Association was founded in 1905 to keep Old Boys in touch with each other, while at the same time to preserve their affection for and to foster the interests of their alma mater. The current President is MajorMajor
Major is a rank of commissioned officer, with corresponding ranks existing in almost every military in the world.When used unhyphenated, in conjunction with no other indicator of rank, the term refers to the rank just senior to that of an Army captain and just below the rank of lieutenant colonel. ...
Marlon M.C. Case B Sc MBA.
Over 100 years later, WOBA has evolved into a legally recognised charitable association that operates exclusively for the betterment of our school, the Wolmer's Trust High School for Boys.
Connected by our maroon and gold heritage, WOBA’s membership comprises alumna from virtually all walks of life who contribute their time, talents and resources towards, the advancement of the traditions of excellence known to "our school we all love dearly".
WOBA's core activities are geared towards providing financial support to our school and its students. We support educational initiatives and programmes that facilitate the holistic development of the students.
To this end, WOBA organises and executes various fund raising initiatives, of which our Annual Banquet a signature event.
WOBA also operates an ongoing mentorship programme that seeks to provide guidance and positive examples to the young men enrolled at our alma mater.
Our events and activities facilitate the Association's century old objectives and strengthens the Wolmer’s family and legacy.
The Constitution
Constitution
A constitution is a set of fundamental principles or established precedents according to which a state or other organization is governed. These rules together make up, i.e. constitute, what the entity is...
and By-Laws for WOBA is http://www.wolmersoldboys.org/node4
Notable alumni
Academia- Dr Winston Freckleton, Educator
- ProfessorProfessorA professor is a scholarly teacher; the precise meaning of the term varies by country. Literally, professor derives from Latin as a "person who professes" being usually an expert in arts or sciences; a teacher of high rank...
The Hon Gordon Valentine Shirley OJOrder of JamaicaThe Order of Jamaica is the fourth of the five ranks in the Jamaican honours system. The Order was established in 1969, and is considered the equivalent of knighthood in the British honours system....
, - Principal, University of the West IndiesUniversity of the West IndiesThe University of the West Indies , is an autonomous regional institution supported by and serving 17 English-speaking countries and territories in the Caribbean: Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, the British Virgin Islands, the Cayman Islands, Dominica,...
, Mona; Former Jamaican Ambassador to the United States of America - Professor Fredick Hickling
- Professor Fred Nunes,
- Professor Patrick Bryan, Head - Department of History, UWI, Mona
- Professor Donald Robotham
- Professor Shiyan Barnett- Associate Chancellor at the University of Shiylantis
- The Most Hon Edward Seaga ON PC - Chancellor UTECH, Distinguished Fellow - UWI Mona Campus
Arts and Culture
- Harry BelafonteHarry BelafonteHarold George "Harry" Belafonte, Jr. is an American singer, songwriter, actor and social activist. He was dubbed the "King of Calypso" for popularizing the Caribbean musical style with an international audience in the 1950s...
OJOrder of JamaicaThe Order of Jamaica is the fourth of the five ranks in the Jamaican honours system. The Order was established in 1969, and is considered the equivalent of knighthood in the British honours system....
, , actor - Omar Reid, reggae artiste
- Diana KingDiana KingDiana King is a reggae fusion singer-songwriter who specifically performed a mixture and fusion of R&B, reggae, pop and dancehall...
, international recording artiste - Sean PaulSean PaulSean Paul Ryan Francis Henriques , who performs under stage name Sean Paul, is a Jamaican pop rap and reggae singer.-1973–1996: Early life:...
, artiste - Kei MillerKei MillerKei Miller is a Jamaican poet, fiction writer, anthologist and occasional journalist.- Biography :Miller was born and raised in Kingston, Jamaica. He read English at the University of the West Indies, but dropped out short of graduation. However, while studying there, he befriended Mervyn Morris,...
, Novelist and Poet - Wayne MarshallWayne Marshall (deejay)Wayne Mitchell, better knows by his stage name Wayne Marshall is a reggae and dancehall artist from Jamaica. He is most notable for his collaborations with Sean Paul, Elephant Man and Beenie Man...
, artiste - Aston CookeAston CookeAston Cooke is one of Jamaica's leading playwrights. A native of Kingston, Jamaica, Aston Cooke attended All Saint's Primary School in Jones Town, Kingston and later won a Common Entrance place to enter Wolmer's Boys' School. Cooke began writing while he was a student at Wolmer's...
, Playwright - David Heron, Playwright
Business and Finance
- The Hon Douglas Orane OJOrder of JamaicaThe Order of Jamaica is the fourth of the five ranks in the Jamaican honours system. The Order was established in 1969, and is considered the equivalent of knighthood in the British honours system....
, PCPrivy councilA privy council is a body that advises the head of state of a nation, typically, but not always, in the context of a monarchic government. The word "privy" means "private" or "secret"; thus, a privy council was originally a committee of the monarch's closest advisors to give confidential advice on...
JPJustice of the PeaceA justice of the peace is a puisne judicial officer elected or appointed by means of a commission to keep the peace. Depending on the jurisdiction, they might dispense summary justice or merely deal with local administrative applications in common law jurisdictions...
, former Senator, CEO of Grace Kennedy and Company - Milton Samuda, President - Jamaica Chamber of Commerce
- Maxim Rochester, Managing Partner PriceWaterhouse Coopers
- Michael Ammar Snr
- Michael Ammar Jr
- Sameer Younis
- LP Azar
- Richard Powell, President and CEO, Victoria Mutual Building Society
- Lissant Mitchell, Senior Vice President - Scotia DBG
- Steven Gooden - Vice President - NCB Investments
Clergy
- Ernest DeSouza CDOrder of distinctionThe Order of Distinction in Jamaica is the fifth in order of precedence of the Orders of Societies of Honour, which were instituted by an Act of Parliament – The National Honours and Awards Act.The Motto of the Order is "Distinction Through Service"....
, - former Spiritual Leader, Jewish Community in Jamaica
Journalism and Media
- Francois St Juste - General Manager, FAME FM
- Dahlia Harris - Newscaster
- The Hon Hector Wynter OJOrder of JamaicaThe Order of Jamaica is the fourth of the five ranks in the Jamaican honours system. The Order was established in 1969, and is considered the equivalent of knighthood in the British honours system....
, - former Editor, Jamaica Gleaner
Life sciences and medicine
- Dr Charles Royes - Consultant Surgeon and Senior Lecutuer, University of the West Indies
- Professor the Hon Hugh Wynter OJOrder of JamaicaThe Order of Jamaica is the fourth of the five ranks in the Jamaican honours system. The Order was established in 1969, and is considered the equivalent of knighthood in the British honours system....
, - Consultant, UHWI - Dr Shaun Wynter - Consultant, UHWI
Military and emergency services
- BrigadierBrigadierBrigadier is a senior military rank, the meaning of which is somewhat different in different military services. The brigadier rank is generally superior to the rank of colonel, and subordinate to major general....
Dunstan F Robinson OBEOrder of the British EmpireThe Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
EDEfficiency DecorationThe Efficiency Decoration is a defunct medal of Britain and the Commonwealth awarded for long service in the Territorial Army of the UK, the Indian Volunteer Forces and Colonial Auxiliary Forces....
JPJustice of the PeaceA justice of the peace is a puisne judicial officer elected or appointed by means of a commission to keep the peace. Depending on the jurisdiction, they might dispense summary justice or merely deal with local administrative applications in common law jurisdictions...
, Chief of Staff, Jamaica Defence ForceJamaica Defence ForceThe Jamaica Defence Force is the combined military forces of Jamaica, consisting of an Army, Air Wing and Coast Guard. The JDF is based upon the British military model with organisation, training, weapons and traditions closely aligned with Commonwealth Realm countries...
1973 - ColonelColonelColonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
Trevor MacMillan CDOrder of distinctionThe Order of Distinction in Jamaica is the fifth in order of precedence of the Orders of Societies of Honour, which were instituted by an Act of Parliament – The National Honours and Awards Act.The Motto of the Order is "Distinction Through Service"....
, JPJustice of the PeaceA justice of the peace is a puisne judicial officer elected or appointed by means of a commission to keep the peace. Depending on the jurisdiction, they might dispense summary justice or merely deal with local administrative applications in common law jurisdictions...
, Former Commissioner of Police, Former Colonel Adjutant Quartermaster Jamaica Defence ForceJamaica Defence ForceThe Jamaica Defence Force is the combined military forces of Jamaica, consisting of an Army, Air Wing and Coast Guard. The JDF is based upon the British military model with organisation, training, weapons and traditions closely aligned with Commonwealth Realm countries... - BrigadierBrigadierBrigadier is a senior military rank, the meaning of which is somewhat different in different military services. The brigadier rank is generally superior to the rank of colonel, and subordinate to major general....
Rocky R. Meade PhDPHDPHD may refer to:*Ph.D., a doctorate of philosophy*Ph.D. , a 1980s British group*PHD finger, a protein sequence*PHD Mountain Software, an outdoor clothing and equipment company*PhD Docbook renderer, an XML renderer...
, Deputy Chief of Defence Staff, first JDF Officer to obtain an PhD whilst still serving. - MajorMajorMajor is a rank of commissioned officer, with corresponding ranks existing in almost every military in the world.When used unhyphenated, in conjunction with no other indicator of rank, the term refers to the rank just senior to that of an Army captain and just below the rank of lieutenant colonel. ...
Richard Reese JPJustice of the PeaceA justice of the peace is a puisne judicial officer elected or appointed by means of a commission to keep the peace. Depending on the jurisdiction, they might dispense summary justice or merely deal with local administrative applications in common law jurisdictions...
, former Commissioner of Corrections
Politics and law
- The Most Sir Florizel GlasspoleFlorizel GlasspoleSir Florizel Augustus Glasspole, ON, GCMG, GCVO, K.St.J was the third Governor General of Jamaica....
ONOrder of the NationThe Order of the Nation is a Jamaican honour. It is a part of the Jamaican honours system and was instituted in 1973 as the second highest honour in the country–the Order of National Hero being the highest....
KCMG KCVORoyal Victorian OrderThe Royal Victorian Order is a dynastic order of knighthood and a house order of chivalry recognising distinguished personal service to the order's Sovereign, the reigning monarch of the Commonwealth realms, any members of her family, or any of her viceroys...
CDOrder of distinctionThe Order of Distinction in Jamaica is the fifth in order of precedence of the Orders of Societies of Honour, which were instituted by an Act of Parliament – The National Honours and Awards Act.The Motto of the Order is "Distinction Through Service"....
, Governor General of Jamaica 1973-1991 - Norman W. Manley, M.M.Military MedalThe Military Medal was a military decoration awarded to personnel of the British Army and other services, and formerly also to personnel of other Commonwealth countries, below commissioned rank, for bravery in battle on land....
, QCQueen's CounselQueen's Counsel , known as King's Counsel during the reign of a male sovereign, are lawyers appointed by letters patent to be one of Her [or His] Majesty's Counsel learned in the law...
, National HeroOrder of National Hero (Jamaica)The Order of National Hero is an honour awarded by the government of Jamaica. It is a part of the Jamaican honours system that has been in place since 1969.-Description:...
, Chief Minister of Jamaica (1955–1959), Premier of Jamaica (1959–1962). - The Most Honorable Edward SeagaEdward SeagaEdward Philip George Seaga ON PC was the fifth Prime Minister of Jamaica from 1980 to 1989 and Leader of the Jamaica Labour Party from 1974 to 2005. He served as leader of the opposition from 1974 to 1980 and again from 1989 until January 2005...
ONOrder of the NationThe Order of the Nation is a Jamaican honour. It is a part of the Jamaican honours system and was instituted in 1973 as the second highest honour in the country–the Order of National Hero being the highest....
PCPrivy councilA privy council is a body that advises the head of state of a nation, typically, but not always, in the context of a monarchic government. The word "privy" means "private" or "secret"; thus, a privy council was originally a committee of the monarch's closest advisors to give confidential advice on...
LLB(Hon) , Prime Minister of JamaicaJamaicaJamaica is an island nation of the Greater Antilles, in length, up to in width and 10,990 square kilometres in area. It is situated in the Caribbean Sea, about south of Cuba, and west of Hispaniola, the island harbouring the nation-states Haiti and the Dominican Republic...
1980-1989 - His Excellency Courtney Rattray, Jamaica's Ambassador to the Republic of ChinaChinaChinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
- K.D. Knight - former Minister of National Security
- Nicholas Dujon, Consul General to BelizeBelizeBelize is a constitutional monarchy and the northernmost country in Central America. Belize has a diverse society, comprising many cultures and languages. Even though Kriol and Spanish are spoken among the population, Belize is the only country in Central America where English is the official...
- Amy Jacques Garvey, wife of The Most Honourable Marcus Mosiah Garvey National HeroOrder of National Hero (Jamaica)The Order of National Hero is an honour awarded by the government of Jamaica. It is a part of the Jamaican honours system that has been in place since 1969.-Description:...
- The Honorable Patrick Rousseau OJOrder of JamaicaThe Order of Jamaica is the fourth of the five ranks in the Jamaican honours system. The Order was established in 1969, and is considered the equivalent of knighthood in the British honours system....
, Managing Partner Myers, Fletcher and Gordon - Peter Goldson - Secretary - Jamaica Rhodes Scholaship Committee, Partner - Myers, Fletcher & Gordon
- The Hon Rev Dr Carmen Stewart, OJOrder of JamaicaThe Order of Jamaica is the fourth of the five ranks in the Jamaican honours system. The Order was established in 1969, and is considered the equivalent of knighthood in the British honours system....
, CDOrder of distinctionThe Order of Distinction in Jamaica is the fifth in order of precedence of the Orders of Societies of Honour, which were instituted by an Act of Parliament – The National Honours and Awards Act.The Motto of the Order is "Distinction Through Service"....
, JPJustice of the PeaceA justice of the peace is a puisne judicial officer elected or appointed by means of a commission to keep the peace. Depending on the jurisdiction, they might dispense summary justice or merely deal with local administrative applications in common law jurisdictions...
- former Custos RotulorumCustos rotulorumCustos rotulorum is the keeper of an English county's records and, by virtue of that office, the highest civil officer in the county...
St Andrew - The Hon Rev Sophia Azan, CDOrder of distinctionThe Order of Distinction in Jamaica is the fifth in order of precedence of the Orders of Societies of Honour, which were instituted by an Act of Parliament – The National Honours and Awards Act.The Motto of the Order is "Distinction Through Service"....
, JPJustice of the PeaceA justice of the peace is a puisne judicial officer elected or appointed by means of a commission to keep the peace. Depending on the jurisdiction, they might dispense summary justice or merely deal with local administrative applications in common law jurisdictions...
Custos RotulorumCustos rotulorumCustos rotulorum is the keeper of an English county's records and, by virtue of that office, the highest civil officer in the county...
St Catherine - The Hon Ramon Alberga QCQueen's CounselQueen's Counsel , known as King's Counsel during the reign of a male sovereign, are lawyers appointed by letters patent to be one of Her [or His] Majesty's Counsel learned in the law...
, OBEOrder of the British EmpireThe Most Excellent Order of the British Empire is an order of chivalry established on 4 June 1917 by George V of the United Kingdom. The Order comprises five classes in civil and military divisions...
Former President - Cayman Law Society, Former Vice President Jamaica Law Society, Past President - Commonwealth Lawyers Association
Sports
- Karl NunesKarl NunesRobert Karl Nunes was a West Indian cricketer who played in West Indies' first Test in their inaugural Test tour of England as wicketkeeper and captain....
, cricketer - Ivan BarrowIvan BarrowIvanhoe Mordecai Barrow was a cricketer who played 11 Tests for the West Indies.A wicket-keeper and opening batsman, he was the first West Indian to score a century in a Test Match in England...
, cricketer - The Hon Gerry AlexanderGerry AlexanderFranz Copeland Murray "Gerry" Alexander was a Jamaican cricketer who played 25 Tests for the West Indies...
OJOrder of JamaicaThe Order of Jamaica is the fourth of the five ranks in the Jamaican honours system. The Order was established in 1969, and is considered the equivalent of knighthood in the British honours system....
, cricketer - The Honourable Allan Rae OJOrder of JamaicaThe Order of Jamaica is the fourth of the five ranks in the Jamaican honours system. The Order was established in 1969, and is considered the equivalent of knighthood in the British honours system....
, cricketer - Jackie HendriksJackie HendriksJackie Hendriks was born John Leslie Hendriks on 21 December 1933, in St. Andrew, Kingston, Jamaica. He played as a Test wicket-keeper in the West Indies cricket team from 1962 to 1969. After his career as a well-respected player he moved to cricket managing...
, cricketer - Jeff DujonJeff DujonPeter Jeffrey Leroy Dujon is a retired West Indian cricketer.He was the wicketkeeper for the West Indian cricket team of the 1980s, an athletic presence behind the stumps as well as a competent lower-order batsman....
ODOrder of distinctionThe Order of Distinction in Jamaica is the fifth in order of precedence of the Orders of Societies of Honour, which were instituted by an Act of Parliament – The National Honours and Awards Act.The Motto of the Order is "Distinction Through Service"....
, cricketer - Carlton Baugh, cricketer
- Donovan Jomo Kenyatta Pagon, Cricketer
- Patrick PattersonPatrick PattersonBalfour Patrick Patterson is a former fast bowler for the West Indian cricket team in the late 1980s and early 1990s.-Early life:...
, Cricketer - Peter IsaacsPeter IsaacsPeter Isaacs is a former Jamaican soccer forward.Isaacs grew up in Kingston and attended Wolmers' Boys High School, where he was spotted by scouts from Howard University who recruited him to play at the university. He attended Howard from 1986 to 1989, playing on the men’s soccer team...
, footballer - Shelly Ann Fraser ODOrder of distinctionThe Order of Distinction in Jamaica is the fifth in order of precedence of the Orders of Societies of Honour, which were instituted by an Act of Parliament – The National Honours and Awards Act.The Motto of the Order is "Distinction Through Service"....
, track athlete - Lindel FraterLindel FraterLindel Frater is a former sprinter who specialised in the 60 metres and 100 metres events.He competed at the 2000 Olympic Games, reaching the semi-finals in the 100 m and finishing fourth in the 4 × 100 metres relay as part of the Jamaican team which broke the national record...
, track athlete - Michael FraterMichael FraterMichael Frater O.D is a sprinter who specialises in the 100 metres event. He won a silver medal at the 2005 World Championships and a gold medal at the 2003 Pan American Games for the event....
ODOrder of distinctionThe Order of Distinction in Jamaica is the fifth in order of precedence of the Orders of Societies of Honour, which were instituted by an Act of Parliament – The National Honours and Awards Act.The Motto of the Order is "Distinction Through Service"....
, Olympian track athlete, Gold Medallist 4 x 100m 2008 Beijing Olympics - Ricardo GardnerRicardo GardnerRicardo Gardner is a Jamaican footballer who currently plays for Bolton Wanderers. He is naturally a left winger but can also play in the centre of midfield or at left wingback.-Early career:...
, footballer, English Preimier League Bolton Wanderers - Luton SheltonLuton SheltonLuton Shelton is a Jamaican footballer who plays as a striker or winger for the Turkish club Karabükspor.-Harbour View:...
, footballer - record holder for most goals for Jamaica in International Football - Germaine MasonGermaine MasonGermaine Mason is a Jamaican-born athlete competing in high jump. In 2006 he switched sporting allegiance, and now represents Great Britain. He attended Wolmer's School in Kingston...
, Olympian - Stephen Francis, MVP Track Club and Althletics Coach
- Bruce JamesBruce JamesBruce James is an American social worker and Democratic party politician from Clifton, New Jersey. Originally elected in 2005, James currently serves as the Director of the Passaic County Board of Chosen Freeholders....
, President MVP Track Club - Gareth BreeseGareth BreeseGareth Rohan Breese is a West Indian cricketer who played one Test match in 2002, as the main spin bowler at the M. A. Chidambaram Stadium against India. Breese scored five runs in two innings, and took two wickets, but conceded 135 runs in 31 overs and was the most expensive bowler...
, Cricketer - Khari StephensonKhari StephensonKhari Stephenson is a Jamaican footballer who currently plays for San Jose Earthquakes of Major League Soccer.-Amateur and College:A product of the Real Mona youth system, Stephenson played college soccer at Williams College from 2000 to 2003, where he was named a Division III first-team...
, Footballer
Headmasters of Wolmer's Boys' School
- Albert Dews, Esq. 1895-1901
- William Cowper, Esq. 1901-1915
- F.M. Peachell, Esq. 1915-1917
- Rev. William Simms 1917-1919
- Sir Reginald Murray 1920-1933
- Sir Philip Sherlock 1933-1938
- Rev Lewis Davidson 1939-1942
- J.R. Bunting, Esq. 1943-1949
- Dr. Simpson 1950-1953
- Major Norman Jackson 1953-1964
- H.N. Walker, Esq. 1964-1966
- Dr. Donald Bogle 1966-1971
- Richard Morris, Esq. 1971-1978
- Gilbert Smith, Esq. 1978-1979 (acting)
- E.Coleridge Barnett 1979-1998
- Mrs DeAnn Robb 1998-2002 (acting)
- Dave Myrie, Esq. 2002-2008
- Dr Walton Small 2008–present
Houses
There are seven houses at Wolmer's Boys' School:- Ellis Wolfe (Blue)
- William Crosse(Red)
- Thomas Harrison (Yellow)
- William Patterson(Green)
- Edward Hanna(Purple)
- Sir Florizel Glasspole(White)
- Dr Ludlow Moody(Gold)
There are four houses at Wolmer's Preparatory and Pre-School:
- Skempton(Blue)
- Alberga(Red)
- Bloomfield(Green)
- Moody(Yellow)
There are six houses at Wolmer's Trust High School for Girls
- Forbes(Yellow)
- Murray(Purple)
- Cowper(Green)
- Barrows(Blue)
- Howson(Red)
- Hollar(Orange)