STETHS - An Outstanding Institution

From its humble beginning on October 4, 1961, when all that existed was a single block, the St. Elizabeth Technical High School has grown steadily in the path of excellence to a giant institution which places its stamp of quality on each student that passes through its door. The forty year old institution which was for several years dominated in sports, academics and vocational education, has also in recent times been excelling in extracurricular activities such as music and school clubs.

Principal Dorothy Samuda is the sixth individual to serve the organization in that capacity. Mrs. Samuda who has dedicated over 27 years to the institution became principal in September 2000. She said that the school, guided by the motto: "Work and Integrity", has continued to meet the expectations of students as well as the general public. She pointed to the impressive passes obtained in external examinations including the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) and special highlighted the schools vocational programs. According to Mrs. Samuda, students of the institution continue to perform creditably in the areas of cosmetology, information technology, home economics and business sciences.

Presently the school enrolls 1500 students and has a staff complement of 75. Sports ST.E.T.H.S has secured for itself a spot on the list of schools which have made remarkable achievement over the past twenty years, ST.E.T.H.S has won the Healthy Cup title eighteen times in school boy cricket and no fewer than eleven times, the Spalding Cup title.

The school has also produced national cricketers such as Tony Powell, Brian Murphy and Brenton Parchment. In track and field, ST.E.T.H.S has also been exemplary. They have performance remarkably in the Boys and Girls Championship. For several years, the school was placed among the top ten schools and in 1990 they managed to be placed second in both championships.

School boy football has not only produced historic moments for the institution, but also rewarding times. They won the DaCosta Cup in 1974 and again in 1999 along with the Oliver Shield. Between those periods, ST.E.T.H.S also produced a number of star footballers who have gone to represent the country at senior levels. Music Since, the establishment of a singing group in 1992, the St. Elizabeth Technical High School has gained added recognition.

The group which consists of approximately forty students is directed by Richard White and Valrie Gavin, both teachers at the institution. According to Mr. White the singing group assists in developing the talents of students and at the same time promoting friendship and camaraderie among its members. The group has gone on to participate at the National Level in the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) Music Competition on more than one occasion and in 2001 was awarded the most outstanding group entity at the parish finals of the competition.
 

Additional Information

More STETHS background information

STETHS celebrates 45th year anniversary