Merl Grove Past Student Association USA

North Eastern American Chapter

MGHS PSA NEAC
PO Box 3697
Gaithersburg, MD 20885-3697
alumni@merlgrovepsaneac.org

IN LOVING MEMORY

Former Merl Grove Principal Dies

Mrs. Ellorine Walker passed on, Sunday, October 12/08 in St. Elizabeth.

Ms. Ellorine Walker era 1969-1980

Mrs. Walker brought much vibrancy to Merl Grove during her tenure. She was known as a strict disciplinarian who led by example. She made a point of eating lunch in the Cafeteria amongst her student where she showed by her actions the correct etiquette of dining. Sitting properly in one's chair, standing and walking with dignity. The population of the school grew from 600 students of Miss Lynch's era to 1200. She helped Merl Grove to adopt the shift system to accomodate the volume of students and the corresponding increase of staff members to accomodate the growth.
Sixth form was re established under Mrs. Walker in 1977. She also envisioned and helped to start the School Health Unit. She also gave birth to the idea of the Dental Clinic. The Clinic was subsequently formed during Enid kerr's era in 1987 and named The Ellorine Walker Health Unit.
Merl Grove acquired more land under the vision of Mrs. Walker including the plot of land that the Karram-Speid building was erected.
During the Walker era, the drive towards excellence continued. There was a great concentration on academics,as well as cultural, social and moral developments of the students.

Ellorine achieved the highest medal of honor from Prime minister PJ Patterson. She was also honored in 2004 from the core group of the North Eastern American Chapter on the Merl Grove grounds along with Gloria Grant, Joyce Taylor, J. Barbara Martin and Alfred Sangster. All have gone on to be inducted in the Merl Grove hall of Fame.

For all that and much more we, the Merl Grove community, at home and abroad owes a great deal of gratitude to the generosity, wisdom and vision of Mrs. Walker. We will miss her.

ANN-MARGARET LIM, Observer staff

Joyce Barbara Martin, former principal of the 80 year-old Merl Grove High School on Constant Spring Road in Kingston, is dead.,/B>

She died at 12:55 pm yesterday at the Stony Hill home which she shared with her husband George and her adopted daughter Sharon. According to Sharon, the 69 year-old Martin had been ailing for the last three years.

Known as the school's first 'home-grown' principal, Martin's relationship with Merl Grove began in 1952 when she was a bright-eyed, pre-pubescent first-former. Later, she joined the staff, moved up to the position of vice-principal over the years and then served as principal from 1993-1998.

"Merl Grove has been her whole life," said Amy Allen, Merl Grove's current principal. "My students will tell you that she helped and kept them in school. She was always concerned about getting students on the right path and keeping them in school."

The school board's chairman, Dr Alfred Sangster, expressed similar sentiments after receiving news of the education stalwart's passing.

"She was a fine leader and wonderful example that endeared her to a great number of students who passed through her hands as both teacher and principal," he said.

According to Sharon, Martin - who avidly attended the Constant Spring Church of God - took many children under her wings over the years.

"Up to recently, she played an active role in the Stony Hill Boys' home," Sharon explained.

Martin was a graduate of both the Shortwood Teachers' College and the Queens University in Ontario, Canada.
During her tenure as principal, Merl Grove extended its curriculum to include computer classes for grades 10-13 and sixth form commercial classes. In addition, agricultural science was added - a subject in which Merl Grove students have since consistently achieved high CXC passes.
Technical drawing was also added to the curriculum while Martin was at the helm.

But for many, the accomplishment that most exemplified her love for her students was the school's breakfast programme, which she spearheaded.

Shakara HARRIS

MERL GROVE High School will be naming four scholarships in memory of Shakara Harris, a former student who was mowed down by a car and killed in 2004 while attempting to cross the road.

Dr. Alfred Sangster, board chairman at the school, made the announcement yesterday.

He was speaking at the launch of the school's 80th anniversary and homecoming week celebrations, held on the school grounds. The celebration is being held under the theme: 'We Are A Family'.

Maxine Henry-Wilson, Minister of Education, Youth and Culture, told the gathering of past students, current students and educators that the theme was timely, as the country needed to be reminded about the significance of family.

She congratulated Merl Grove on its 80 years of delivering a solid education

Elsie Sayles passed on

10th February, 2006

SAYLE, Elsie Maude, O.D.; Freelance Social Worker/Consultant. Organizations: Member Board of Governors United Way of Jamaica, and Merle Grove High School, Hon. Vice President, Council of Voluntary Social Services. Born: St. Andrew, Jamaica, daughter of Phillip Sayle, Builder, and Ada Parker-Sayle (both dec’d). Educated: Merl Grove Preparatory School, Merl Grove High School, Liverpool University 1957-59, Marymount Manhattan College 1981-82, Columbia University School of Public Health 1982. Career: The Sunday Pictorial 1943; Secretary to Headmistress Westwood High School 1945-47; Assistant Secretary C.V.S.S. 1947-57; Training Officer /Youth Secretary C.V.S.S, 1959; Chief Executive Officer (1969-89); Member of the Executive Committee of the International Council on Social Welfare (ICSW) 1980-88. Awards: Centenary Medal by Institute of Jamaica 1980. Silver Musgrave Medal 1992. Publication: “CVSS – The First Fifty Years “ 1994. Denomination: Anglican. Interests: The Theatre, Hand Embroidery, Reading. Address: (residence) 21 Hopeglade Mews, Kingston 6.

Xandria Lecky

MGHS PSA NEAC
PO Box 3697
Gaithersburg, MD 20885-3697
alumni@merlgrovepsaneac.org