Sugar Ray Thomas
The first thing you’ll possibly notice when you go to the Golden Grove Basic School is the proper fencing and protection that are assuring and give a sense of safety. The school is beautifully decorated with fairly well grassed good play area an ambiance right for learning and creating young leaders for tomorrow.Golden Grove Basic School is situated in south east St. Ann in the community of Golden Grove, between Moneague and Claremont. This Methodist supported institution was started in 1945, 70 years ago by Indiana Brown, who served as principal for several years. The present school grounds are on lands donated by Reynolds Bauxite Company. The school building was completed by Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) in August of 2004.
The school has five teachers on staff, a cook and 110 students on roll. In addition to having several classrooms, there is also a lunch room and a menu board so that parents are advised as to the daily meals each child will receive.The principal of the school, Pamela Gordon, informed North Coast Times that Class one is involved in a special cohort programme called JKIDD carried out by the University of the West Indies which started in September of 2014. The programme seeks to study these children in their school environment in order to determine the cause of intellectual disabilities within children. “It is mandatory for all students to be divided into two groups and the programme will continue throughout each class the students move on to,” said an enthusiastic Mrs Gordon.
A Principal’s passion for teaching
Principal Gordon has spent 40 years in the education sector. “The children are my passion and I do love them. This drives me to continue teaching,” said Mrs. Gordon. She emphasized that at the school each child is taught the values of life and the importance of worshipping God. In addition, the parents play an integral role in helping to develop the school by participating in any activities the school may have. Golden Grove Basic School is an early childhood facility that is ready to mould the children of today to become positive individuals of the future.
