Glenmuir..."MUIR" than just a school!

"...we are who we choose to be." - Barry Manilow.

From the humblest of beginnings to the most prestigious accomplishments, it is quite evident that the journey to being the best is filled with small and large accomplishments, many of which are either unsung or unheard. But our journey as a school cannot and will not be hidden. We are proud of who we are and proud of who we continue to aspire to be..."a beacon built to edify the finest" youth. So the beacon's construction had to begin with a strong foundation: a number of well placed bricks, cemented by the spirit of excellence, built on a God-centric design.

The Glenmuir High School is situated on 25 acres of land on 10 Glenmuir Road in May Pen. The idea for such an institution was brought up by Bishop Percival Gibson, the then Bishop of Jamaica. It was hard work estabishing the school, spending nearly thirty-one thousand pounds (£31,000)¹. Of this sum, the Anglican Church granted twenty thousand pounds (£20,000) with interest for three years. A society in England gave another ten thousand pounds (£10,000).

It was a morning of heavy rains on Monday September 15, 1958, when Glenmuir High School opened its door for the first time to 55 boys and girls as a private Anglican Venture. But it was not until the 30th of September that it was offically opened by His Excellency, Sir Kenneth Blackbourne, Governor of Jamaica.

Along with the principal, Mr. S. H. Scott, B.A., M.A., was a staff of three and three forms of pupils occupying the building of what was once a home of the late Custos Muirhead of Clarendon. A Government Grand of five thousand pounds (£5,000) enabled the building of the first block of classrooms which were put to use at the beginning of the summer term 1959. At the end of the term, Glenmuir was recognized as a Governement Grant Aided School. By 1961 an additional form existed in Glenmuir (Form 6B).

The House System was introduced in Glenmuir in 1959. The three houses were named after Mr. de'Roux from whom the premises was bought, the late Custos Muirhead of Clarendon and the late Custos Pawsey. It was not until 1960, however, that any competition in sports among the houses began. There were competitions in football and table tennis. Competitions in athletic sports were impossible. The fourth house, Gibson, was not introduced until 1976.

At the beginning of the new term in January, the enrollment stood at 236 pupils. The second block of classrooms had been completed to accomodate 55 new pupils.

By 1974, there were 29 teachers on staff, including Dr. Scott and Mrs. D.V. Brown, Vice Principal, and approximately, 50 students on roll. In 1978, the staff increased to 43, with over 900 students. In the same year, the former Vice Principal, Mrs. D. V. Brown, was succeeded by Mrs. Zetilda Morgan, when she (Mrs. Brown) left assume the post of Principal of the Bishop Gibson High School.

Dr. Scott retired as Principal of the school in 1983, to give place for Mr. C. Radcliffe B.Sc., M.Ed., as principal and Mrs. H. Henry as Vice Principal.

For the past six years, the school has been under the supervision and leadership of Dr. Marsha Smalling, also a past student and a graduate of the Northern Caribbean University. Between the captaincy of Dr. Smalling and Mr. C. Radcliffe, Glenmuir has been governed and led by the likes of Mr. William Willis, Mrs. Monacia Williams and Mrs. Karen Radcliffe.

The co-captains which have help to maintain Glenmuir's standards for the past six decades include: Mr. Howard Edwards, Mr. Denavon Hayles, Mr. Newton Knight, Ms. Wray, Mrs. Dahlia Bartley, Mrs. Monacia Williams, Mr. Texal Christie (Principal of Kellits High School), Mrs. Karen Radcliffe, Mrs. Marjorie Henry O.D., Ms. Beryl Clarke, Mrs. Valsie Sommerville, Mr. Clement Radcliffe, Mrs. D.V. Brown, and Mrs. Zetilda Morgan.

Throughout its history, Glenmuir has secured many accolades for their outstanding achievements in academics, sports, clubs activities and involvement in societies. Just recently, the school was recognized as THE BEST high school in Jamaic, which should serve as no surprise. As the now principal rightly said, a sentiment which is also re-iterated by some of her staff memebrs, "No other school in Jamaica has achieved what Glenmuir has: forging students through systems which ensure excellence in both extra-curricula activities and academic achievement, which are nationally and internationally recognized". Among our accomplishness with regard to extra-curricula activities include mutliple Herbert Morrison and Da'Costa Cup championships and One Olivia Shield win, multiple Performing Arts wards courtesy of our Internationally acclaimed Choir, Netball championships, 4H Champion girl of the year, and many more.

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^{A total of JMD $729,040.17 - CPI Inflation Caluculator - https://www.in2013dollars.com/uk/inflation/1958?amount=31000}

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