Knox College, Jamaica
Encyclopedia
Knox College is a coeducational high school in Clarendon, Jamaica
for both day pupils and boarders. Founded in 1947, it occupies about 100 acres (40.5 ha) of land.
The school aims to develop excellent progressive education in Jamaica. The concept for Knox was considered at the time to be "avant garde" and even today the institution is considered to be at the forefront in the development of a unique educational approach. It is currently the only coeducational boarding school in Jamaica.
The school is named for John Knox (1514–1570), Scottish church leader who exhibited a passion for promoting universal education.
The complex is administered by a Board of Trustees appointed by the United Church. Each school operates under its own principal and board of management, nominated by the church and established by the Ministry of Education.
Co-Founders of the complex of schools are Rev. Lewis Davidson – First Principal and Mr. David Bent-First Bursar and Builder. Other pioneers of the school include workers such as Mr. Leo Jones, Mr. Louis Byles, Mrs. Gloria Swaby, Mr. Richard Clarage, Mr. George Scott, Dr. Barbara Jones and Mrs. Helen Stills.
Knox College is a grant-aided secondary institution. It remains today as the only secondary co-educational boarding school in Jamaica, attracting students from overseas as well as Jamaican children. Most students come from the surrounding districts and towns. However, a significant number of students are from other parishes throughout the island.
With seven grades (7-13) and up to seven streams, Knox College takes in approximately 300 students each year.
In order to receive a diploma student must have achieved a minimum of ‘C’ in at least four subjects including. English Language, English Literature and Mathematics. In addition, students must achieve passing grades in Physical Education, Religion/Guidance and Work Programme.
a) Students must have spent at least two years at Knox in order to qualify for graduation and must complete at least eight subjects.
b) Students must have displayed acceptable modes of behaviour throughout the period of stay at Knox.
Students choose their own student council representatives. From the pool of elected representatives, teachers and students select a president and vice-president in a democratic election process. The academic staff selects the prefect body based on positive leadership qualities, academic performance and attitudes. From the complement of prefects, the head boy and head girl are selected.
Knox College has some thirty active clubs and societies. These bodies provide important opportunities for students to enrich their education and experiences outside the normal classroom sessions. These cater for a wide variety of interests and include athletic, creative, intellectual, recreational and spiritual activities. Students are encouraged to be actively involved in at least one club.
Some of the current clubs and societies include:
Cadets,
Drama,
Inter School Christian Fellowship,
Junior Achievement,
4H,
Literary & Debating,
Music,
Rangers/Guides,
Science And Technology,
Schools’ Challenge Quiz,
Spanish,
Speech,
Tourism Action,
Red Cross,
Male Empowerment Fraternity,
Journalism Club,
Sign Language Club,
Information Technology Club,
Duke Of Edin Burgh,
Environmental,
Art
On entry, students are placed randomly in seventh grade classes. The average class size for the seventh graders is forty two students. Students have eight forty minutes sessions daily.
The school day begins at 8:30 am with assemblies and closes at 3:10 p.m. General assemblies are held on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, homeroom devotions or house devotions are held Staff, students or visitors and local church leaders conduct general assemblies.
At each grade level the school aims at providing the level of academic work to meet the individual needs of each child. In Grades 7 and 8 students, receive a broad-based education in keeping with the secondary curriculum designed by the Ministry of Education.
Jamaica
Jamaica is an island nation of the Greater Antilles, in length, up to in width and 10,990 square kilometres in area. It is situated in the Caribbean Sea, about south of Cuba, and west of Hispaniola, the island harbouring the nation-states Haiti and the Dominican Republic...
for both day pupils and boarders. Founded in 1947, it occupies about 100 acres (40.5 ha) of land.
The school aims to develop excellent progressive education in Jamaica. The concept for Knox was considered at the time to be "avant garde" and even today the institution is considered to be at the forefront in the development of a unique educational approach. It is currently the only coeducational boarding school in Jamaica.
The school is named for John Knox (1514–1570), Scottish church leader who exhibited a passion for promoting universal education.
The complex is administered by a Board of Trustees appointed by the United Church. Each school operates under its own principal and board of management, nominated by the church and established by the Ministry of Education.
Co-Founders of the complex of schools are Rev. Lewis Davidson – First Principal and Mr. David Bent-First Bursar and Builder. Other pioneers of the school include workers such as Mr. Leo Jones, Mr. Louis Byles, Mrs. Gloria Swaby, Mr. Richard Clarage, Mr. George Scott, Dr. Barbara Jones and Mrs. Helen Stills.
Knox College is a grant-aided secondary institution. It remains today as the only secondary co-educational boarding school in Jamaica, attracting students from overseas as well as Jamaican children. Most students come from the surrounding districts and towns. However, a significant number of students are from other parishes throughout the island.
With seven grades (7-13) and up to seven streams, Knox College takes in approximately 300 students each year.
Mission Statement
Knox College is a Co-educational Secondary Institution which seeks to provide, under a mature, committed and caring staff, an environment which facilitates the spiritual, physical, intellectual and social development of the individual that he may become a leader in the creation of positive changes in the society.Values
Knox College embraces the values of ambition, honesty, integrity, hard work, cooperation, friendliness and human concern. It is dedicated to fostering an environment in which mutual respect and understanding are evident in how people of any nationality, cultural background, religion or gender are dealt with. It encourages the highest aspirations and intellectual development of all students and staff. It challenges them to maintain a quest for knowledge and a commitment to its transmission and application for the betterment of the Jamaican society.The Curriculum
The broad-based curriculum is geared at equipping students for life. All students sit the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) examinations at the end of the grade eleven year. The course work for these examinations begins in the tenth grade for all students. English Language, English Literature and Mathematics are compulsory.Graduation Requirements
Upon graduating from Knox College, students receive a high school diploma.In order to receive a diploma student must have achieved a minimum of ‘C’ in at least four subjects including. English Language, English Literature and Mathematics. In addition, students must achieve passing grades in Physical Education, Religion/Guidance and Work Programme.
a) Students must have spent at least two years at Knox in order to qualify for graduation and must complete at least eight subjects.
b) Students must have displayed acceptable modes of behaviour throughout the period of stay at Knox.
Work Programme
The Student service work programme initiated in 1968 continues as an integral part of the course, providing invaluable learning opportunities for students.Seniors are required to complete at least fifty hours of an assignment in the work programme under the supervision of their teachers. This programme is geared at building effective work ethics, and providing work experience, as students are selected to work in a department that complements their career choice.Student Leadership
The purpose of the Students Council and Prefect Council is to enhance the involvement of students in their education while developing their skills in decision-making and leadership.Students choose their own student council representatives. From the pool of elected representatives, teachers and students select a president and vice-president in a democratic election process. The academic staff selects the prefect body based on positive leadership qualities, academic performance and attitudes. From the complement of prefects, the head boy and head girl are selected.
Extra Curricular Activities
In extra curricular activities, the school participates in a number of national and regional competitions, often receiving awards. Among these are Science competitions, Spanish competitions Literacy, Visual and Performing Arts competitions, the Junior Achievement and 4H competitions.Knox College has some thirty active clubs and societies. These bodies provide important opportunities for students to enrich their education and experiences outside the normal classroom sessions. These cater for a wide variety of interests and include athletic, creative, intellectual, recreational and spiritual activities. Students are encouraged to be actively involved in at least one club.
Some of the current clubs and societies include:
Cadets,
Drama,
Inter School Christian Fellowship,
Junior Achievement,
4H,
Literary & Debating,
Music,
Rangers/Guides,
Science And Technology,
Schools’ Challenge Quiz,
Spanish,
Speech,
Tourism Action,
Red Cross,
Male Empowerment Fraternity,
Journalism Club,
Sign Language Club,
Information Technology Club,
Duke Of Edin Burgh,
Environmental,
Art
Departments
- English Department
- Mathematics Department
- Science Department
- Modern Language Department
- Industrial And Performing Arts Department
- Physical Education Department
- Business Department
- Tech Vocational Department
- Humanities Department
Programme Of Study
Grade 7, students enter the school by gaining a place through the Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT)/National Assessment Program (NAP).On entry, students are placed randomly in seventh grade classes. The average class size for the seventh graders is forty two students. Students have eight forty minutes sessions daily.
The school day begins at 8:30 am with assemblies and closes at 3:10 p.m. General assemblies are held on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, homeroom devotions or house devotions are held Staff, students or visitors and local church leaders conduct general assemblies.
At each grade level the school aims at providing the level of academic work to meet the individual needs of each child. In Grades 7 and 8 students, receive a broad-based education in keeping with the secondary curriculum designed by the Ministry of Education.
Sport
Knox College has particular interest in the sports of:- Basketball
- Volleyball
- Netball
- Cricket
- Football
- Tennis
- Badminton
- Swimming
See also
- Education in JamaicaEducation in Jamaica- Early childhood education :Early childhood education includes Basic, Infant and privately operated pre-schools. The age cohort is usually 1 – 6 years. The Government of Jamaica began its support for the development of early childhood education, care and development in 1942. There are 2,595 early...
- List of schools in Jamaica
- List of universities and colleges in Jamaica