Fees to be waived for three Catholic schools’ centennial events in MoBay
Published:Monday | February 3, 2025 | 4:37 PMChristopher Thomas/Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
The Mt Alvernia High School, Mt Alvernia Preparatory School, and Chetwood Primary School in Montego Bay, St James, can expect fees to be waived for upcoming activities in honour of their centennial celebration this year once they apply for permits for those events.
Montego Bay Mayor Richard Vernon gave the assurance yesterday while addressing the three schools’ combined centennial church service at the Roman Catholic Blessed Sacrament Cathedral in the western city.
“Last year, when we had the media launch for the centennial celebration, we made a commitment that once they make the request, it would come to our council and we will declare a special day for them,” said Vernon, who is chairman of the St James Municipal Corporation.
“In further recognising your contribution to our city, we will ensure that upon your request, we will waive all fees associated with your events for this year so you may have concerts and parties, and those require permits, and we will waive the fees associated with them,” Vernon continued.
Century of Stars
The three schools, which were all founded in 1925 by the Franciscan Sisters from Allegany in the United States, had their series of activities for their centennial celebration formally launched at the Mt Alvernia High School last November. The celebration, which will run throughout 2025, is being held under the theme ‘A Century of Stars: Illuminating the Future’, in recognition of the schools’ varied contributions to Montego Bay and the wider St James since their inception.
Responding to Vernon’s announcement following Sunday’s service, Theresa Cherian, principal of Mt Alvernia Preparatory School, lauded it as an act of gratitude for the school’s tradition of excellence over its century of service.
“That is a truly wonderful gesture of appreciation on the mayor’s part. It is a wonderful way of letting the city and the wider community know what we have been doing, quietly, but with enthusiasm and exuberance, over these 100 years,” said Cherian.
Kayon Whyne, the principal of Mt Alvernia High School, expressed gratitude for the waiver because “it will save us on spending what we actually do not have. At the moment, we are trying to raise funds to refurbish our auditorium and to get us a well-needed generator system so that when the power cuts, it will kick in and continue to give us electricity that we need to operate our labs, our canteen, classrooms, and offices”.
Chetwood Primary School’s acting vice-principal, Debbie Kelly-Clarke, likewise praised Vernon’s announcement as a timely one for all three schools as the waivers would help them complete their various infrastructural projects at their respective school plants.
In the meantime, Roman Catholic Reverend John Persaud, the bishop of Mandeville and apostolic administrator for the Diocese of Montego Bay, commended the three schools and their administrators for seeking to offer education geared at human development while staying true to their Catholic roots.