Bishop's Gibson High School - Mandeville, Jamaica

Bishop Gibson High School for Girls, situated in the town of Mandeville, Jamaica, stands at 2,000 feet above sea level. Like most schools in Jamaica, Bishops has undergone a series of changes during its 50 years of existence.Bishop Gibson High School for Girls, situated in the town of Mandeville, Jamaica, stands at 2,000 feet above sea level. Like most schools in Jamaica, Bishops has undergone a series of changes during its 50 years of existence.In January 1962, Bishops was founded by a former Bishop of Jamaica, The Rt. Rev. Percival William Gibson and Mr. John Lord of Mandeville. Her Royal Highness, the Princess Alice of Athlone, opened the school on February 13th, 1962 as an independent school to provide Christian education for girls. The old Newleigh Hotel (the Main Building, pictured  

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above) was converted to facilitate the needs of 16 boarders, 19 day girls and four members of staff, including Acting Headmistress, Mrs. Sommerville. In three short years, an Assembly Hall (Pickering Hall), a block of five modern classrooms and laboratory, were added.

The student body later grew to 115 boarders and 65 day girls with Miss. E. C. Skempton, M.A., as headmistress. For more interesting social interactions, students were placed in “Houses”, namely Anderson, Browning and Curie. Spiritual needs were met by regular attendance at, and participation in services at the Mandeville Parish Church.

The school colour is purple. From 1962 – 1978 the uniform then consisted of a dark purple tunic with short-sleeved white blouse, and a purple blazer for those cold Mandeville mornings.

In 1978, the school ceased operation as a private institution because of financial difficulties,and became grant-aided under the Ministry of Education. The first native Principal was Mrs. D.V. Brown who succeeded Miss Chapman in 1978. Mrs. Bridgeth Gordon succeeded Mrs. Brown in 1991. The present Principal is Dr. Annette Piper.

Under the Ministry of Education, came other changes: the social character not only changed from a boarding institution to a day school, but students were drawn from a wide cross-section of the Jamaican society, by way of government placements. Students are now placed through GSAT and GNAT.

With a newly organized school came a Student Council and a Parent Teachers’ Association. It was only with the strong support given by the Parent Teachers’ Association that the school was able to offer courses in Home Economics and Business Education, as they contributed such items as cookers and typewriters. The Parent Teachers’ Association continues to play a vital role in the development of the school, with its most recent contribution being the construction of a state -of-the art Computer Lab and reviving of the school’s website.

“Bishops” has changed in many ways including the addition of a fourth house, Dujon; but has not changed in those things of lasting value. the school continues to maintain its Christian character, striving to pass on the vision and zeal of its founder, to provide sound Christian education for young girls. It continues to stress the importance of good discipline, of social growth, the need to inter-relate, to understand, and to love. It continues to be guided by its motto:

“Per Ardua Ad Astra” – Through difficulties we attain the highest.