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150th
Anniversary Committee Report |
Ad Astra Per Aspera. |
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The Franciscan Sisters of Glasgow and Allegany established the Immaculate Academy in Kingston, Jamaica, with a mission of excellence, a principle that has contributed significantly to educating Jamaican minds throughout the years. The Immaculate Conception School prepares our youth to educate themselves throughout their lives, thereby leading creative and sensitive lives of contribution - a successful investment over the past 150 years.
This mission of excellence is still very relevant and more urgent in present-day Jamaica with a need to continue and improve this experience. Our Administrators work assiduously to maintain an institution with facilities relevant to the demands of the global village. This infrastructure now needs attention and in that regard, January 2008 will mark the rollout of the 150th Anniversary Development Campaign. This Campaign is designed to raise funds to assist in meeting the objectives set by the school administration. There are seven levels of contributions which can be made by IC family, friends, well-wishers and the corporate world at large. More to come on this important initiative! In that regard, we recognize the NCB Foundation as the first corporate sponsors of this effort and the ICHS Class of 1982 as the first Alumnae sponsor.
In triumphant style, we give Thanks for the 150 years of excellence on January 13, 2008 at the Holy Trinity Cathedral when we celebrate the Liturgy of the Eucharist. Our patron, Sr. Avril Chin Fatt, O.S.F. will be in attendance and our celebrants include Archbishops Lawrence Burke and Donald Reece, Bishop Charles Dufour, Fr. Kenneth Richards and Fr. Louis Grenier. The fellowship Brunch in the St. George’s College Auditorium follows the Mass when we will all enjoy a tasty meal and be entertained with a fun-filled package. We are particularly pleased that our founding mothers will be represented by the Sisters from Scotland and Massachusetts. This has created lots of excitement and paves the way for sentimental memories.
Excellence comes to the fore in February at the inaugural 150th Anniversary Lecture Series, where our own alumna and Rhodes Scholar – Professor Yolande Chan nee Brown – will share her view on “Equipping tomorrow’s leaders through value-based, technology-enabled education” and the life-lessons learnt at ICHS.
In March, we reminisce with the traditional St. Patrick’s Day Supper and in April, we meet and dine at Island Grill. Our sporting prowess is on show in May at the 150th Anniversary Golf Tournament on the course of the Caymanas Golf and Country Club. Our thanksgiving continues in June at the Anniversary Awards evening, where we recognize those who have served, are serving and continue to contribute to the Immaculate Conception High and Preparatory School.
July is Homecoming month!….all the family will re-live an ICHS graduation exercise, see our school on show in a daily newspaper, enjoy Lunch-Time at the Terra Nova, Open Day at ICHS/ICPS, ‘bounce-about’ at the Family Picnic and become belles of the Ball at the 150th Anniversary & Reunion Ball – a very special affair!
In August we pause and in September, the Alumnae “Big Sisters” open the new school year as hosts at Assembly and Homeroom. We walk in rhythm at the Feast of St. Francis Walkathon during October and remember the elderly in November’s outreach at the Ozanam Home. We end the year in the triumphant style in which it was begun …… December features the combined IC Performing Arts in Concert – an event which should not be missed!
The ICHSAA website – www.ichsalumnae.net – continues to be the repository for the most current information on the 150th Anniversary Celebrations. We may also be contact at ichs15008@yahoo.com.
So at the end of our reminiscing, we can conclude that there is much we can contribute to the future of our school, our community, our nation and its citizens. We have a right to be proud as Immaculate Conception students, teachers, administrators, school staff, parents and alumnae. So let us congratulate ourselves and move ahead to continuing the trailblazing work which is the hallmark of the Immaculate Conception Preparatory and High School – Ad Astra Per Aspera!
Thank you.
Yasmin M. Chong Chair, ICHS 150th Anniversary Planning Committee |
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