Welcome Back, Everyone!
Hey guys! I hope you’re all enjoying the videos. Today, I wanted to share a bit about my schooling experience, especially since so many of you have been asking where I went to school and what it was like growing up in Jamaica.
Growing Up in Jamaica: My Early Schooling
Boarding School at Three Years Old
So, let me take you back to when I was just three years old. My parents decided to send me to a Roman Catholic school called Servite Convent in Browns Town. This school was about an hour away from our farm, so I had to board there.
- School Name: Servite Convent
- Location: Browns Town
- Boarding: Yes, starting at age three
At the school, I stayed in a place called the Pink Dorm. I don’t remember exactly how many kids were there, but I do recall that it was a long room with about 20 of us, all lined up on two sides. The dorm was painted pink (hence the name) and was on the second floor with windows all around.
Life at Servite Convent
The school was run by Franciscan nuns, and the matron of our dorm was Nurse Garvey. Now, Nurse Garvey was strict, but because I had been there from such a young age, she treated me like her little pet.
- Matron: Nurse Garvey
- Dormitory Name: Pink Dorm
- Memorable Experience:
- Making my bed every morning on a stool because I was too short to reach
- Nurse Garvey affectionately pinching my skin (though it hurt!) and bringing us treats like gizzada, coconut drops, and grater cake
I stayed at Servite Convent until I was 10 years old. I vividly remember the Sunday afternoons when my father would drive me through the beautiful hills from Claremont to Browns Town to drop me off at school. And on Fridays, I’d eagerly wait at the chain-link fence for my mother to pick me up and take me back to the farm.
Transition to Immaculate Prep
When I turned 10, Servite Convent closed down and was replaced by Browns Town Community College, which I believe is still there today. My parents wanted me to continue with Roman Catholic education, so I transferred to Immaculate Conception Prep in Kingston.
- New School: Immaculate Conception Prep (ICHS)
- Location: Kingston
- Memorable Teacher: Mrs. Chin in Grade 6
- She was lovely, and to this day, my handwriting still resembles hers!
At Immaculate, the nuns kept German shepherd dogs in a doghouse that looked like a concrete castle. I also remember the big green lizards on the playing field, which sparked my lifelong dislike for lizards!
High School Years: Immaculate Conception High School
The Common Entrance Exam
Before I could start high school, I had to take the Common Entrance exam, which is notoriously tough in Jamaica. You have to do well in all subjects to get into your first-choice school, so the pressure was on! I was lucky enough to get into Immaculate Conception High School (ICHS).
- Exam: Common Entrance
- First Choice School: Immaculate Conception High School
- Challenge: The exam is grueling and demands high scores
My Feisty High School Days
Now, when I got to high school, I went through a bit of a feisty phase. I got into trouble a few times, and here’s one memorable story:
- Incident: Standing up to a Spanish teacher about too much homework
- I took it upon myself to be the class spokesperson, complaining that the teacher was giving us too much homework. Little did I know, the principal, Sister Maureen Claire, was standing at the back of the room the whole time! Needless to say, I ended up in her office for my punishment.
Another time, I was in the Biology lab and decided to experiment with a large thermometer while the teacher, Mrs. Martin, was out. I pressed down on the mercury ball at the bottom to take my temperature, but I ended up breaking the thermometer instead! My mother had to buy a new one, and that was the end of that adventure.
Lunchtime Fun and Friendships
Lunchtimes were a blast! We’d hang out on the school grounds, which were beautifully landscaped with lots of flowers. We also loved hitting up the cafeteria for our favorites:
- Cafeteria Favorites:
- Patty and coco bread
- Cheese Trix and Pepsi
- Icy mint and paradise plum
- Bustamante backbone and ginger log
Tell me in the comments—what’s your favorite Jamaican sweetie?
Immaculate was such a diverse place, with girls of all backgrounds—Black, White, Chinese, Indian, Syrian—you name it! We all had fun together, got into trouble together, and learned together. Some of my best lifelong friends were made during my time at Immaculate.
Conclusion
All in all, my schooling years in Jamaica were a mix of strict rules, tough exams, and lots of fun. I wouldn’t trade those experiences for anything. Jamaica, with its rich culture and warm people, will always have my heart.
Thanks for watching, and I’ll see you in the next video! Don’t forget to leave a comment below!
Hi! I just came across your video about attending Servite. My sister and I attended Servite Convent from 1964-1969. We are/were Americans living in Jamaica because our father built the Kaiser Bauxite Plant in Discovery Bay. We lived in Runaway Bay. My sister was in Pink Dorm! I lived in another dorm and right now I can’t recall the name. We have plenty of memories living there!
Just wanted to say hello as a former student from Servite. We did receive an excellent education!! My sister is writing to you as well!
Ohhhh wow! I have read Claudia’s comment and now yours. So your father built the Kaiser plant?! That is so interesting. And yes! We were at Servite at the same time! I started there in 1966 at the age of 3 so not sure if you remember me. Also did you both board? I am so blessed to connect with you both! Do keep in touch 🙂 Maybe you can remind me of things about Servite and I can do a follow up video 🙂 Thanks for reaching out!
Melanie,
My family moved to Jamaica in the 60’s. We both went to school at Servite. I myself was in Pink dorm and my sister who was 4 yrs older was in a different dorm. My dad worked for Kaiser Bauxite and we had 4 1/2 great years. I was talking with my sister about a couple of nuns. One was Sister Austin and Sister Peter. Nurse sounds like who I knew when I was there? Really great to hear from someone at the same school. Look forward to your reply.
Hi Claudia,
How wonderful to hear from you! I do remember Sister Peter but can’t recall meeting sister Austin. What years were you and your sister at Servite? I went in 1966 and was there for 7 years! Yes, the Nurse was Nurse Garvey, I am not sure how long her tenure was. It is beyond amazing connecting with you here. Where in the world are you now? I am in South Eastern Ontario. Thank you for reaching out. Super excited to hear from you again!