Fostering the holistic development of respectful, empowered, accountable, and loyal citizens.
Facilitating a conducive learning environment where civic pride, character development and academic prowess are instilled, and individuals are empowered to contribute to national development
I pledge with utmost sincerity to be REAL.
To show Respect for self, others and property
To be Empowered to transform humanity
To be Accountable for words and deeds
To be Loyal to school, community and country
Because responsible living, fosters safe nation building
The Aabuthnott Gallimore High School is built on a ten acre lot of land donated by the Kaiser Bauxite Company. It is located in Armadale, Alexandria, St. Ann, South-Western. The Building was completed in 1972 and was opened in 1973. It is a coeducational institution, which was first known as the Alexandria Secondary School. In its inception, the enrolment comprised six hundred and eighty-six students, twenty-two teachers, three administrative staff members and eight ancillary staff members. Today, it is home to over eight hundred and three students’, fifty-five academic staff, eleven administrative members and sixteen ancillary workers. The school offers a comprehensive form of education where students are prepared for academic as well as practical subjects. Over the years, the school has had several name changes. In 1974, it was the Alexandria New Secondary School, then in 1983 it was renamed the Aabuthnott Gallimore School in honour of stalwart politician, Gideon Aabuthnott Gallimore, who served as Member of Parliament for the South West St. Ann Constituency for thirty years. The final change came in 1988, when the school received High School status and was named the Aabuthnott Gallimore High School.
The community is predominantly a farming community and most of the parents are self-employed as subsistence farmers and vendors. Presently, majority of our students access the Programme for Advancement through Health and Education (PATH). The school received six new classrooms from the Ministry of Education in January 2015. However, there is still a shortage of classroom spaces which results in laboratories being used to house theoretical classes for non-lab related subjects. The physical plant is aesthetically pleasing.
There are currently four hundred and seventeen males and three hundred and eighty sixy females enrolled; and prior to the COVID 19 pandemic, our average daily attendance was approximately 85%. During the pandemic our average daily attendance is less than 50%. In light of the pandemic several structural adjustments were made in 2020 to ensure compliance to the protocols established by the Ministry of Health and Wellness and the Ministry of Education Youth and Information. This included the installation of hand wash stations at strategic locations on the school compound, creation of a walkway with a ramp and relocation of some members of the academic staff from the general staff room to prevent overcrowding.
Continue Reading The school’s performance in the Caribbean Secondary Certificate examinations (CSEC) in English has seen significant improvement and has been on par with the national level for the periods 2018 to 2020. In mathematics we are below the national average but have been fluctuating over the 2018-2022 period – the school’s average in 2018 was 60% and was above the national average. With interventions, the school surpassed the target of 29% by attaining a 38% in 2023 in Mathematics. The school was able to maintain a 79%- 82% pass rate in English from 2019-2021. There was a declined in 2022 to 39%; however, interventions implemented resulted in the school surpassing its target of 69% to attain 77.5% pass rate in 2023. The school has well-established policies and procedures to ensure the safety and security of all members of the school community. For example, for field trips, a ratio of 15 students to 1 teacher (15:1) is specified to manage students’ safety. For daily operations, duty rosters are created and utilized to monitor the various activities. The school has a good relationship with personnel of both the Alexandria Community Hospital and the Alexandria Police Station which are in close proximity and provide support to the institution. Regular safety drills are simulated and personnel from the fire department participate in the drills as well as conduct safety audits. All visitors must comply with set procedures. The school currently has two science laboratories which cannot serve the student population. The school does not have an auditorium, but utilizes the hall which currently houses three classrooms for general meetings. We have a canteen and tuckshop which cater to the school’s nutritional needs. There is the need for an additional tuckshop to reduce overcrowding at the current tuckshop and minimize conflict as students compete to be served. There is also a library with plans for expansion and modernization of the resources. There are open channels of communication between the school, parents and the local community. Stakeholders are engaged using various social media platforms- Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/aabuthnott.gallimorehigh), Instagram, (@aghs.2000), YouTube as well as via telephone and WhatsApp (876-329-9282- Main Office, 876-779-9004 -Principal, 876-975-1165- Vice Principal, 876-329-4395 -students’ records, 876-329-9254 -female Guidance Counsellor, 876-809-6250-male Guidance Counsellor, 876-797-3625-School Nurse, and 876-789-6752-Bursar. The relationship with the parents and the local community is good, for example, community members and parents volunteer to take on certain projects of the school. The Kiwanis Club of Alexandria St. Ann helps with the care of the environment and the beautification of the school premises.
Students are engaged in co-curricular activities via a number of clubs and uniformed groups. They are also engaged in competitive sports, debate and poster competitions, and Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) festival of arts.
There is a Parent Teachers’ Association (PTA) which meets at least twice per term. Additionally, Grade PTA meetings are held at least once per term for each grade. The school also enjoys a warm relationship with the Past Students’ Association (PSA) which actively engages in projects of the school. Plans are ongoing in relation to the PSA providing mentorship for academic and behavioural support to students.
The school currently houses a computer lab, an Auto-CAD lab and an E-learning lab and has internet access; students are exposed to computer aided instruction.
