Port Antonio High School was founded in January 1960 as the Port Antonio Senior School/Technical Institute and has undergone several name changes, most recently becoming Port Antonio High School in 1999.
Its growth has included expanding vocational programs, implementing a two-shift system, and developing new facilities to accommodate a growing student body. Accomplishments include its strong vocational program, which provided skills for local employment, and its continued focus on student development through both academic and vocational training.
The mission of the Port Antonio High School is to foster the holistic development of its students with emphasis on the inculcation of positive self-concepts, values and attitudes along with quality vocational and academic training, so as to equip them with the necessary life skills to function effectively and efficiently in the home, the community and the changing world.
At the Port Antonio High School, they believe in the full exposure of all our students to all possible opportunities so that they are able to act from an informed perspective, at least in selecting an area of study for their career development. They encourage the selection of an area of technical competence that ensures that students are given a competence of their choice that may well become their life’s occupation in their later years.
Port Antonio High currently occupy two campuses one being the campus of the former Fellowship Primary and Junior High School and the main campus located in Boundbrook, Port Antonio. The school is staffed by one Principal and three Vice Principals in this era of its transition. The Fellowship Campus (Campus 2) operates as a ‘whole day’ school and the Main Campus continues on the shift basis.
The school is on a path to have 100% of its students at the CSEC level, sitting examinations up from a portion of the population in the past. We currently operate a ‘traditional’ Sixth Form with a focus on the technical areas.
Port Antonio High has a very strong presence in all co-curricular activities 4H and JCDC Festival being of significant note. They are also the founders of the Anti-Human Trafficking effort in schools at every level. Their Cheerleading efforts have come to international recognition. Their sporting prowess is also well known as they are competitive in all endeavors such as football, track and field, cricket and cheerleading. They are poised to continue along this path and encourage your partnership in making our next steps.
Being wholly owned and operated by the Government of Jamaica, our Board of Management lead by current longstanding Chairman Martin Blackwood (General Manager Portland Cooperative Credit Union) and Vice-Chairman Diana Wynter, we are poised to continue on our successful path.
The school was initially a part of the Titchfield Elementary School. In 1960 the lower school came to this location where it was renamed Port Antonio Senior School. The school opened its doors in January 1960 with Mr. C.M Robinson as Principal and Mrs. Bessie Beckford as Vice-Principal. The uniform then was blue tunic and white blouse for the girls while the boys wore khaki pants and shirt, with brown or black shoes.
The school started with three (3) buildings, the present Grade 7 block was where the then grade 8s and 9s were housed. The auditorium, canteen and the Home Economics Block which facilitated the Cookery and Child Care Centers. Art & Craft was done in the room now occupied by Beauty Culture/Cosmetology. The library was situated at the back of the auditorium which is presently called the ’box’ and is presently the Technical Drawing Room.
Each and every one of us will make our own positive mark(s) as we pass through this noble institution.
The plan also had the Administrative Block which housed the Principal’s Office, Staff Room, Science Lab and the Commercial Institute that offered Shorthand, Typing, Commerce and Accounts. The section used then as the Commercial Institute is now the present Staff Room. This completed the 3 major buildings the school began with.
The girls did the Commercial subjects; the Vocational Institute, which was designed for boys, formed a part of the original structures built by Busha Smart. Skills offered in that department were Auto Mechanics, Carpentry and Joinery, Metal Work, Plumbing and Woodwork. The training offered was of such high standard that the business community in the parish was eager to employ the students who completed the program at the Institute, consequently the numbers quickly escalated. Students’ matriculated to the Institute after passing the Grade Nine (9) Achievement Test. The Institution itself was a regional pilot project which got its selection of students from Portland, St. Thomas and parts of St. Andrew.
It is to be noted that there were only three (3) such schools in the island at the time, located in Kingston, Montego Bay and here in Port Antonio. The program mirrors former Prime Minister Michael Manley’s Self Reliance ideologies of providing skills training for a young population to help themselves and to sustain the labor market.
The rapid growth of the school’s population and the need for more space were some factors that caused the school to change from a one shift system to two shifts in September 1973. As the population grew, so did the need for additional classroom space, and so, the initial contractor Busha Smart was re-summoned to build two (2) additional blocks; Block A and B. Block A housed the Science Lab, Art Department and Business Education Department and Block B originally housed the Plumbing, Electrical Installation, Library and Book Room, with the second floor having three (3) classrooms.
It is said that the now Student Affairs Administration Section was built by the first principal Mr. C.M Robinson who personally funded the project. The building then was a long one roomed section, which today is divided into three (3) sections and house the offices of the Bursar, Assistant Bursar and the Students’ Affairs Department. What was initially a walkway and garage for Mr. Robinson has also been converted to another office section for the typist and other administrative assistants.
The efforts of all who have contributed to the development of the school (teachers, administrative staff and others) is greatly appreciated. Port Antonio High School hopes that ‘each and every one will make their own positive mark(s) as they pass through this noble institution.
