Sharing the Legacy
I really enjoyed lunch on Wednesdays and Fridays where we would have Pizza Day and Jessie's very own Popcorn Chicken Day. I also normally looked forward to early bird breakfast and family nights.
My teachers believed in me and motivated me all the time. I have to big up Sister Shirley Chung, one of the greatest principals. I recall when we had Mass she would carry us all in her van from The Holy Trinity Cathedral back to school while making multiple trips just to ensure we were all safe.
Fun Days and Sports Days were so much fun! If I could relive my experience at The Jessie Ripoll Primary I would not change a thing.
- Trish-Ann Knight 2004
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I had the privilege of being both a second generation Scarlett and having a third generation at this great institution. Jessie not only catered to my academic development, but also encouraged my love for music. Through the music programme I had played for the Prime Minister while attending Jessie, as well as other functions outside of school.
Today, my son is at Jessie doing very well and also doing music. I am assured that he too will love this school and grow academically and matriculate to his school of choice when the time arrives.
- Georgia Lumley 1997
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I must express tremendous gratitude for my transformative years at Jessie Ripoll Primary School. It is not until you become an adult that you appreciate the work that the teachers put in to empower you to grow wings to fly like the beautiful butterfly which resides in all of us.
Whether it was cleaning the classrooms on Fridays, or lining up for what seemed like devotions that would never end in the Binnie Shell or getting beatings, we all eventually benefit from the code of discipline well beyond those five or six years.
We had no idea at the time that we were partaking in a legacy that would become consistently one of the best primary schools on the island. That consistency takes a level of work and dedication I hope to embody one day. Love you Jessie!
- Clarion Phillpotts 1988
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My greatest memory at Jessie Ripoll Primary School was going to the dance room, not for a dance lesson but because I failed to remember all my times tables. Ms. Wolfe was a disciplinarian whose goal was to push you to the next level. She saw potential in us that we didn't see in ourselves. That day I realized it was bigger than just getting a whooping, she pushed me to pass my Common Entrance to Kingston College. The Brave May Fall but Never Yield!
- Yukon Brown
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My life at Jessie Ripoll Primary School (Jessie Ripoll) was very interesting and rewarding. When I began attending Jessie Ripoll, Sister Shirley Chung was Principal and throughout my five (5) years I was taught by some amazingly wonderful teachers namely Mrs. Atkinson – Grade 101; Miss Detry – Grade 301; Mrs Washington- Grade 401; Ms. Noble – Grade 501 and Ms. Wolfe – Grade 601.
As a member of the music group, led by another amazing teacher, Ms. Grace Hudson and also our then Music teacher, we were taught how to play several musical instruments including the recorder and the piano. Ms Hudson was the composer of the Jessie Ripoll School Song - "Ever to Excel" , which we were required to sing and play at all important events especially when there were exchange students visiting.
Another fond memory of my time at Jessie Ripoll was being a member of the Jessie Ripoll Dancers led by none other than Ms Pat Noble (Aunt Pat). We entered several National Festival Competitions and danced at numerous important events/functions such as school barbecues, Jamaica House and King’s House.
I recall fondly the day Common Entrance Exam results had come out and we were told of the schools we had passed for. There were several mixed reactions as friends were going to be separated for the first time.
"Ever to Excel Jessie Ripoll"
- Atiya Stewart 1988
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The visiting international students were leaving and I was asked to express the Jessie's appreciation for their visit by presenting flowers to one of the girls. She was pretty. This was to be done on stage in front of the entire school. It was supposed to be done well. I got so nervous that I bucked my toe on the last step and tripped. I stumbled but did not fall. The entire school laughed as well as the girl who I gave the flowers. But I finished my mission.
- Omar Watts (1989)
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Well my favourite was going to the netball games with the team and the trips to hope gardens /coconut park cleaning the class rooms on Fridays and helping with the preparation for the yearly BBQ's.
- Paul Streete (1990)
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It's always with great pride that I can say I was one of the first set of Students chosen to attend Jessie Ripoll in Sept 1979. The teachers I remember being on board at that time are Ms. Wolfe, Ms. Detry, Ms. Creary, Ms. Hamilton, Ms. Edwards (who's now married), Mrs. Washington, Ms. White, Ms. Noble and her sister (can't remember her name), Ms Hayles, Watchie (who would cross us) and Sister Shirley. We weren't allowed to buy from the vendors who sold outside school. Sports day was always rough for me as I was in Pascal house and it would always come last. I would take part in sports day placing among the top 3 in potato race, 400 and 800m race. That didn't help us to win. Making the statement true Red house a dead house.
There are days when devotions would be held in the Binni Shell and then there are days when we all stood in the sun in front of the office block.
We were also taken to the dentist located on the Alpha property which meant we had to walk through Alpha Boys home. Another tradition was attending mass by Holy Trinity Cathedral. Watching film show (and when I say film show I meant the real thing) in the library which was hot, no a.c. back then.
- Marsha Maddan
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My most memorable moments at Jessie was preparing meals in the canteen for 4H clubs and being taken to the pantomime downtown in those long JUTC buses.
Secondly I will never forget that library wasn't all that posh back then, that is where we had to line up to go inside get our vaccine
Oh not to mention morning devotions when the exchange students were introduced devotion was fun then.
- Venecia Reid
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My most memorable moment was sports day when I had to run the 1500m with the top sprinters. I was nervous because as much as I wanted to get points for my house (yellow house), I was running with the best runners from the other houses. I actually came first and gave them donkey lengths lol! That was one of the days at school I will never forget and it just shows that no matter how much you think you can't do something, never say you can't. At least try. I never thought I could have won the race but I did!
- Maitland (1997)
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I have some very fond memories of my time at Jessie including the days when we had Barbeque and the fact that we attended church services in the Holy Trinity Cathedral. But what stands out for me is that Jessie gave me many opportunities
to develop my talents and become a well-rounded student.
I was a part of the choir and sang at places all over town and loved the instruction from Ibo Cooper. I was also the representative that went to the Kingston finals of Spelling Bee and came second. Two students and I entered the Butterkist Mathematics Competition. I was honoured to be a Government Scholar after sitting the Common Entrance in 5th Grade. It brought great pride to the school, my family and myself. My days at Jessie were definitely the best!
- Joneil Alcock (1993)
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