Brief History of Camperdown

Camperdown High School Began as a private preparatory school in February 1930 at 16 ½ Portland Road, when its founder Mrs ivy May Grant enrolled six students in “ The Home School”.

By 1934 she saw the need to extend and include a high school department for girls. The expansion program not only included the erection of additional classroom facilities, but also the acquisition of property at 4 Camperdown Road for use as a playing field.

In 1958, with an enrollment of 300 students, Mrs. Grant sought and obtained sponsorship from the United Church of Jamaica and Grand Cayman – then the Presbyterian Church. The Church provided the funds to purchase 2 3//4 acres of land at 6B Camperdown Road on which was a  large timber house. After refurbishing of the building Camperdown High School was officially opened on its present sit site as a co-educational grant-aided secondary school, in September 1958.

In January 1962 a new block of classrooms erected by the Ministry of Education was opened.

Mrs. Grant retired as Principal in 1968 and was succeeded by Mr. James Fitz-Hibbert (Jeff) Brown.

Under Mr. Brown leadership the school soars to even greater heights. The continuous increase in the numbers over the years necessitated the negotiation and purchase of adjoining properties to improve the physical amenities. By 1981 seven adjoining properties embracing Camperdown, Portland Road and Windward Roads were purchased. Through the assistance of the World Bank, the erection of well-needed buildings continued.

Camperdown began making a significant contribution to sports both at the national and international levels, gaining a reputation as a “sprint factory”.

Dance and Drama also enhanced the cultural life of the school.

September 1978, saw the introduction of a Two-Shift System and the extension school was discontinued.

Mr. J.F. Brown retired has a principal in 1982, and the then Vice -principal, Mrs. Winifred J Smith, herself a past student of Camperdown was appointed principal.

Mrs. Smith worked assiduously to continue in the footsteps of her predecessors, ensuring that Camperdown fulfilled its role in meeting the demands of our changing society. The school population by now just over 1400. New properties were purchased and the building program continued. The curriculum was reviewed, new life was injected into the PTA and by 1986 the Shift System was abolished.

Mrs. Smith Retired in 1992 and Mrs. Cynthia Cooke, then head of the Mathematics department and yet another past student assumed the role of principal.

Mrs. Cooke to date has demonstrated her determination to continue on the pathway of Ivy May Grant, Jeff Brown and Winifred Smith – ensuring that her alma mater continues to beacon in the east making valuable contributions in all areas of national life. She seeks to instill in students great pride in being a Camperdown student.