Principal

Ms Nadine A. Molloy, JP

MLS, MA, BA, Dip. Teach.

Nadine A. Molloy hails from Spring Hill in the parish of Portland. Raised a Quaker (Religious Society of Friends), she currently worships at the Olsen Chapel of the Church of God in Jamaica as a mark of respect for the church who owns the school and operates it jointly with the Ministry of Education, Youth and Culture. A two-time graduate of the University of the West Indies Mona, Ms. Molloy also has additional graduate qualification from the Andrews University, Berrien Springs, Michigan in Secondary Education Administration. She is a proud past student of the Marymount High School for Girls in Highgate, St. Mary where she served as Head Girl and a student council member for several years. Ms. Molloy has teacher qualification from the Church Teachers’ College in Mandeville, Manchester.

A trained teacher librarian, she has worked at the Brown’s Town Community College as Lecturer Librarian after leaving Bishop Gibson High School for Girls, where she taught English Language and Literature. As a library student she spent time doing fieldwork at the historic and prestigious Schomburg Centre for Research in Black Culture, in Harlem; a part of the New York Public Library network.

At Bishop Gibson High she was involved in producing the school's magazine and mentored many students through various co-curricular activities. She has been a secondary school principal since 2000, previously serving at the Buff Bay High School. During her tenure the school experienced improvement in all facets of its development.

Ardenne has experienced significant growth since her tenure began in 2012. For the first time since inspections began in the new improved format, Ardenne is now rated Exceptionally High by the National Education Inspectorate.

Ms. Molloy is a strong believer in school spirit and is convinced that through strategic partnerships and continuous training any school can register constant improvement. The core values of Ardenne High School, she believes, set an excellent stage for constant upward movement. She continues to be excited by the possibilities for education in Jamaica which she believes is on an upward trajectory. She believes that the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic will only serve to fuel more significant and needed changes in education.

A service and community minded individual, Nadine Molloy has served and continues to serve on national boards. She is responsible for returning to Jamaica the first full copy of the Marcus Garvey trial documents, while she served on the Jamaica National Heritage Trust Board and Institute of Jamaica Council. She is currently a director of the Gleaner Media Company Limited, the Barbados-based CXC Charity and the Jamaica Publishing House Limited.

As the two term president of the Jamaica Association of Principals of Secondary Schools (JAPSS), she led a delegation on a three-day observation tour of principals of the Cuban secondary education system in 2008. This marked the first time a principal from an upgraded high school held the presidency. She was also LASCO/MOEY Principal of the Year 2009 – 10.

Ms. Molloy served the Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA) as its president in 2010 - 2011. As president, she represented teachers at various forums locally and internationally. She travelled to Canada to observe teacher professional development at work with the Teacher Learning and Leadership Programme (TLLP), and to Thailand to represent the JTA at the Education International (EI) first international women’s conference. At the United Nations Committee on the Status of Women, (UNCSW 55) in 2011, Ms. Molloy presented the joint statement on behalf of trade unions Education International (EI), Public Services International (PSI) and International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) at the United Nations. Ms. Molloy also headed the JTA’s delegation to the Education International 6th World Congress in Cape Town, South Africa in July 2011.

Her JTA presidency was marked by her strong advocacy for improvement to the education system, as she strongly believes that the working condition of the teacher is the learning condition of the student. Both union and professional development activities work in tandem and must be viewed as inseparable. She is currently a trustee of the JTA and is the first female from the Caribbean to be elected to serve on the Brussels-based Education International’s (EI) Executive Board for a four-year term beginning July 2019. Ms. Molloy is a trained school inspector with the National Education Inspectorate (NEI).

She credits her rural upbringing in the Blue Mountains -where home, school, church and community worked together to raise every single child- for any positive thing that she has been able to accomplish. She thoroughly enjoyed her high school years and knows that she now benefits significantly from the goodwill and professionalism of her teachers. Today, Ms. Molloy seeks to replicate that experience in its best possible form for her students.



Vice Principals

Mr. J. Wright
Lower School Vice Principal
Ms. H. Miller
MEd, BSC, Dip. Ed.
Vice Principal, Discipline and Data
Ms. J. Pinto
MSC, BA (Hons), Dip.Ed
Upper School Vice Principal

Academic Staff

Mrs. N. Johnson-Urquhart
Grade 7
Ms. L. Douglas
Grade 7
Mrs. C. Malcolm-Wright
Grade 8
Ms. T. McLaren
Grade 8
Mrs. S. Gaynor-Smith
Grade 9
Mrs. L. Wint-Watson
Grade 9
Mr. K. Meeks
Grade 10
Ms. K. Sinclair
Grade 10
Ms. R. Terbaneisingh
Grade 11
Mr. K. Reid
Grade 11
Mrs. K. Coates-Anderson
6th Form
Ms. M. Lewis
6th Form
Mr. R. Walsh
Business & Technology
Mrs. J. Baines
English
Ms. C. Cole
Mathematics – (Acting)
Ms J. Henry
Geography
Ms. A. Royal
Modern Languages
Ms. I. Jones
HIRESOCA - (Acting)
Ms. B. Campbell
Physical Education & Sports
Mr. T. Tomlinson
Visual & Performing Arts
Ms. J. Pinnock
Science
Mrs. M. Robinson
Technical Vocational
Ms. A. Lobban
Teach/Lib & Com Serv
Mrs. T. Newman-Nicely
External Examination
Ms. K. McCauley
Internal Examination
Mrs M. Lawrence-Davids
Cultural Agent/Co-Cur
Mr. C. Richardson
After Sch/Campus Sec
Rev. M. Samuels
Dean of Discipline
Mrs. J. Henry
Snr ICT Integ
Mr. D. Wadsworth
Book Rental
Mr. E. Harris
Assist ICT Integ - (Acting)
Mr. W. Hall
Sports
Ms. S. Morris
Data Analyst – (Acting)

Here are the members that are a part of our staff team by departments

Staff Members

  • Mr. R. Walsh (HOD)
  • Mrs. K, Coates-Anderson
  • Mr. P. Gordon
  • Ms. Z. Gray
  • Ms. P. Hyatt
  • Mrs. N. Johnson-Urquhart
  • Ms. A. Smith
  • Ms. S. Williams-Thaxter
  • Ms. A. Royal (HOD)
  • Ms. R. Brown
  • Mrs. S. Gaynor-Smith
  • Mr. Alexander Marrero
  • Mrs. L. Perez
  • Ms. K. Shadeed
  • Ms. M. Singh
  • Mrs. O. Veloz
  • Mr. T. Blake
  • Ms. A. Bromfield
  • Ms. A. Glanville
  • Ms. S. Henry
  • Mr. O. Williams
  • Mrs. M. Robinson (HOD)
  • Mr. R. Cargill
  • Mr. N. Hill
  • Mrs. R. Hinds-Leslie
  • Mr. D. Johnson
  • Mrs. C. Malcolm-Wright
  • Ms. K. McCauley
  • Mr. M. McDonald
  • Ms. T. McLaren
  • Ms. C. Cole (HOD - Acting)
  • Ms. B. Topaz
  • Ms. T. Chambers
  • Ms. J. Coke
  • Mr. S. Darby
  • Ms. M. Lewis
  • Ms. S. Dunn
  • Mr. O. Ellis
  • Ms. J. Fender
  • Mrs. J. Morris-Black
  • Ms. J. Phoenix
  • Mr. K. Reid
  • Mr. M. Sampson
  • Mr. R. Smith
  • Mrs. J. Baines (HOD)
  • Ms. S. Burton
  • Ms. S. Campbell
  • Mrs. C. Coleman-Thomas
  • Ms. L. Crichton
  • Mr. K. Ewers
  • Mrs. M. Gordon
  • >Mr. K. Grant
  • Mrs. C. Johnston
  • Ms. A. Lobban
  • Ms. M. McCallum
  • Mrs. King-McDonald
  • Mrs. T. Newman-Nicely
  • Ms. D. Smith
  • Mr. M. Smith
  • Ms. S. Smith
  • Ms. J. B. Henry (HOD)
  • Ms. Andean Hall
  • Ms. J. J. Henry
  • Mrs. J. A. Henry
  • Ms. Ashleigh McIntosh
  • Mr. Machell Whyte
  • Ms. J. Pinnock (HOD)
  • Ms. K. Carey
  • Ms. J. George-Johnson
  • Ms. S. Gordon
  • Mr. T. Harriott
  • Mr. B. Laing
  • Mr. B. Larmond
  • Mr. K. Meeks
  • Ms. D. Melville
  • Ms. S. Nelson
  • Mr. R. Phillips
  • Ms. K. Sinclair
  • Ms. R. Terbaneisingh
  • Mr. D. Wadsworth
  • Ms. K. Wilcott-Thompson
  • Mr. P. Willis
  • Mrs. L. Wint-Watson
  • Mr. C. Tomlinson
  • Mr. R. Goldsmith
  • Ms. C. Israel
  • Ms. J. Notice
  • Mr. J. Townsend
  • Ms. B. Campbell (HOD)
  • Ms. K. Griffiths
  • Mr. W. Hall
  • Mr. C. Richardson
  • Ms. I. Jones (HOD - Acting)
  • Ms. L. Douglas
  • Ms. S. Evans
  • Mrs. M. Lawrence-Davids
  • Ms. A. Lewin
  • Ms. M. Lewis
  • Ms. S. Morris
  • Mr. T. Newell

Crest

Ardenne’s crest, as designed by Dr. E.M. Claire Gayle, Former Principal, embodies the principles and visions of the institution. It is therefore highly significant and symbolic.

The crest bears the following: the colours blue and gold, a torch, steps, open gates and a cross. The colours were inspired by nature- the calm vastness of the azure sky and the sparkling radiance of the tropical sunshine. The blue symbolises the enormous potential of young minds while the gold represents the success and happiness to be gleaned through education.

As represented in the crest, a student on entering the welcoming gates of Ardenne High has the potential and undergoes different transitional stages (the steps). In the quest for knowledge and self-actualisation, each stage should bring one closer to his/her goals and the zenith of knowledge at that level, as represented by the flaming torch. The overhanging cross is therefore a beacon pointing the way to this success achieved through Christ.

Ardenne’s crest should therefore be revered as it encourages the completeness of man in body, mind and spirit.

History

In 1907, just after the great earthquake that destroyed much of Kingston, the Rev. George and Nellie Olson came to Jamaica as Church of God Missionaries from Anderson, Indiana, U.S.A, where the Church of God has its headquarters. In May 1927, they began the first school at Highholborn Street in Kingston with an enrolment of 5 students. In 1929 the Ardenne property of 12 acres was purchased through funds received from the Missionary Board of the Church of God in the U.S.A. and other private donors. The main block of buildings was erected.

However, it was not until January 1938 that the school was transferred to its present location. Mrs. Nellie Olson, co-founder, was the first Principal, and she held this office until 1944 when she was succeeded by her daughter Miss Mary Olson. Miss Olson served as Principal through most of the school’s formative years until 1969 when Miss E.M. Claire Gayle who had previously served as Vice- Principal succeeded her. Miss Gayle was succeeded by the fourth Principal, Mr. Roy J. Ebanks in 1979. When he retired in 1996, Mr. Winston Roberts became the fifth Principal after serving as Vice Principal from 1979. Mrs. Esther Tyson, an alumna, assumed responsibility as the sixth Principal in January 2000.

Miss Nadine A Molloy, took office as the seventh Principal in September 2012. The excellent all-round growth of the school has continued over the years, numerically the present enrolment stands at approximately 2,000 students and a combined faculty and support staff of 150 personnel. The school’s infrastructure has followed suit in order to accommodate a stellar academic and co-curricular programme. Ardenne offers a suite of thirty-nine subjects and disciplines offered by the Caribbean Examinations Council. These are supported by a very robust Personal Development programme that is unique to Ardenne. These are rounded out and underpinned by the significant support of the Chaplaincy, the Office of the Dean and the Guidance and Counselling Department.

Ardenne High School is dedicated to developing the total person mentally, physically, socially, academically, and spiritually. Thus, in addition to scheduled classes a variety of activities such as clubs and games are offered to the students. All students must be involved in at least one Co-curricular activity. A list of all such programmes can be obtained at the school. Co-curricular activities include participation in all the major sporting competitions, including Swimming, Football, Basketball, Netball, Lawn Tennis, Badminton and Track and Field. In addition to sports, various clubs and societies such as the Inter School Christian Fellowship (ISCF), Drama, Dance, Chess and Key clubs; also, Schools Challenge Quiz, Spelling Bee, the Debating Society, Tourism Action Club, Choir, the Cadet, Guides, Interact, Ardenne Development Club and Ardennes Coalition of Environmentalist (ACE), add enrichment to the lives of our students. These are in addition to clubs that our students are allowed to create based on their own areas of interest.

Ardenne is pleased, yet humbled at the fact that the school was able to pivot to virtual classes when the COVID 19 pandemic closed schools globally in March 2020. This was possible because of the vision that led to the significant formal introduction of Information and Communication Technology into the teaching, learning and assessment processes at the school in the three years prior. The school has now fully embraced the STEAM methodology approach to delivering the curriculum regardless of the mode of classes, online or in-person. The school anticipates continued improvement in the quality of the academic performance and spiritual and social growth of our students.

Ardenne epitomises strong Christian values and the role of the church has been historically invaluable. Despite changes in its organizational structure and programmes, the church has maintained a strong influence in the school’s operation. In spite of various social, physical and financial limitations, we strive to make the best education available for our students in an ever-evolving world. We hold our partnerships with the Alumni, PTA and our various individual and corporate sponsors in very high esteem. This has enabled us to achieve our targets. Our motto exemplifies our reason for being: Deo Duce Quaere Optima - With God as Guide, Seek the Best.

Mission

Mission Statement

Ardenne is founded on high ethical principles based on the moral teachings of Christianity. Its motto, ‘Deo Duce Quaere Optima’, translates ‘With God As Guide, Seek The Best.

Ardenne High School is committed to providing quality education in a Christian environment and to inculcate the principles of Christian tolerance and self-discipline as the foundation for self worth. This is achieved by offering a wide variety of activities, which serves to prepare students to become responsible and contributing members of society.

Goals

The main goals are to:

Motto

Throughout the history of man, mottos have served as inspirations and have been instrumental in assisting us to achieve greatness. The founders of Ardenne, namely the Olsons, must have been moved by the power and relevance of the school’s motto created by Dr. E. M. Claire Gayle ‘Deo Duce Quaere Optima.’

The ‘Deo Duce’ at the beginning of the motto shows us clearly the importance of God in our pursuits of excellence, as he tempers our ambitions and instils humility in us. The motto therefore motivates us to strive for the highest possible standards, personally and collectively in accordance with God’s will.

The motto possesses a most important concept ‘The Best.’ This drives us towards the attainment and maintenance of excellence. It therefore motivates us to strive for the highest possible standards, personally and collectively, in accordance with God’s will.

Ardenne’s flag remains fluttering proud atop its high mast of significance amidst the winds of time until our mission on earth is accomplished. Until then -‘WITH GOD AS GUIDE, SEEK THE BEST

School Song

Ye valiant youth arise, and join
life’s glorious fray,
With God as guide, he will strength
provide to conquer day to day.

In hallowed hall or field, we’ll
strive but never yield;
We will fight with our might,
undefeated be the conflict mild or heated:
Brave and strong, shunning wrong
we will march along
To the future’s brighter ray.

With loyalty and pride, we’ll
shield our noble name,
Whatever assail it shall ne’er
prevail, we’ll conquer just the same:
With banner high, unfurled, a
symbol to the world
Of the zeal that we feel in
pursuing what we’re doing, ever viewing
The bright crest of the best
That will crown our quest,
And fan Ardenne’s glorious flame.

Written by: Vincent Kelly
Alumnus