150th Anniversary Committee Report
- October 2007

Ad Astra Per Aspera.

ICHS……we have a Launch!  Our 150th Anniversary Celebrations go public on October 23 and our school will be on show!  This launch will be special as the Groundbreaking Ceremony for the construction of the new classroom block, one of the priorities of the school’s development programme, will take place during the media event.   We also plan to announce the ICHS Development Fund and the associated fund-raising campaign.   The entire school community will be represented, including the current “phenomenal women of today” (the current students), teachers, administrative and ancillary staff, School Board, Home and School Association, Alumnae and our founders, the Franciscan Sisters of Allegany.  Our corporate sponsors are slated to make their contribution to the Development Programme and a major announcement will be made during the event.

 

In just three months, we will begin our celebrations.  Thanks to Sr. Maureen Clare, Alumna Allison Wallace and Alumna Donna Haynes, our Mass will be truly triumphant!  Archbishop Lawrence Burke will be our Chief Celebrant and he will be assisted by Con-celebrants such as Bishop Charles Dufour, Fr. Ken Richards, Fr. Michael Lewis and the list goes on.  The Government, other high and preparatory schools, the religious community, our Alumnae and our benefactors have all been invited to celebrate with us.  The Brunch will feature some extra-special guests and there are surprises in store for all.

 

The momentum continues in February 2008, with the arrival of ICHS Alumna and Queen’s University Professor Yolande Chan for the inaugural 150th Anniversary Lecture Series.  The venue is the palatial Courtleigh Auditorium in New Kingston.  Professor Chan will share some of her thoughts about “Equipping tomorrow’s leaders through value-based, technology-driven education” and some life lessons learnt at ICHS.  In March, ‘the ole-time something come back again’ as we re-live a St. Patrick’s Day Supper.

 

Look out for the 150th Anniversary Commemorative Booklet.  At this time, I would like to commend and thank our own Alumna, Christine Dale, for the tremendous amount of work she has put into this publication.   We should also recognize Shauna Jameison, who kindly offered to assist Christine over the past two months.  This booklet will be a “must have” and will serve as a keepsake.  Availability?  January 2008.

 

For the members of the Immaculate Conception family who plan on visiting with us throughout 2008, your Alumnae Chapter Presidents are now in possession of the preferential rates for air travel and accommodation.  Air Jamaica is the official carrier for the 150th Anniversary Lecture Series as well as Homecoming Week in July 2008.  For accommodation, there are five participating hotels: The Courtleigh/Knutsford Court Hotels, the Hilton Hotel, the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, the Terra Nova Hotel and the Constant Spring Hotel (ICHS Hostel).  In order to take advantage of these attractive fares and rates, each interested Alumnae should contact the President of your Alumnae Chapter.  These preferences may only be used for ICHS alumnae and their immediate families.

 

All alumnae who will be attending the Mass and the Brunch on January 13, 2008, should confirm their attendance as soon as possible, as we want to ensure that there is adequate seating especially for those visiting from overseas.  Please send your attendance confirmations to the following address: ichs15008@yahoo.com .

 

The ICHSAA website – www.ichsalumnae.net – continues to be the repository for the most current information on the 150th Anniversary Celebrations.  The Town Crier Flyer reflects the focus of the month and is great to look at.  Enjoy the music!  The excitement is growing and you, our ICHS phenomenal women have got to get involved!!!!!!

 

Can you feel it?  More to come……….God Bless!

 

Yasmin M. Chong

Chairperson