To my Alma Mater - Hampton School

'Neath skies of blue in tropic seas

There is an isle where all things please

And in the Malvern mountains there

Set high upon a summit bare

There stands a school where every day

Young girls are taught to work and play.

Vivat Floreat, Hamptonia!

I knew the words of the Hamptonia from I was in grade three at Santa Cruz Preparatory School. I lived vicariously through my sister, who is four years my senior and who also attended Hampton. I hung on to her every word as she told stories about Valhalla and 'Fatty'. To be honest, I could repeat the name of every teacher by subject. I just had to go there.

In 1989, I graduated from Santa Prep at the top of my class with a Jamaica National Building Society scholarship to attend Hampton School. Hampton was all I thought it would be as an academic institution and so much more. We awoke at 5 a.m. to catch the school bus at 6 a.m. But it was always best to get to the bus stop by 5:30 or there would be no seats on the long ride up into the Malvern mountains, which was especially problematic whenever the buses broke down. And, boy, did those old buses break down on those steep, winding roads!

Hampton was about order. We referred to each other as ladies and stood in lines for everything. Nowthat I think about it, there was hardly any noise and what was considered disorderly behaviour would probably have been laudable at other schools. It didn't matter how cold it was - and it got pretty cold, if you did not have a navy blue cardigan (not to be confused with a pullover), you had to bear out the cold.

'Cockroach Corner'

Although I knew all the rules before I attended Hampton, and it seemed my entire life through to age 10 was in preparation for this most esteemed institution, I still had difficulties. Grades were easy for me, but I was never neat, much too loud, wore the wrong colours, had my hair in too many plaits and was far too outspoken. For these most undesirable attitude deficiencies, I was often sent to the 'Cockroach Corner' and received many 'Untidy Marks'.

But Hampton, even with my rebellion and its rigour, is beloved to me. It is because of Hampton that I am a stickler for time (mine and others') and am always quick to form a queue (really despise disorderly crowding or huddling). I received a superb education, learnt many social graces, forged lifelong friendships, developed a value system around hard work and ambition, honed my competitive nature and I could go on forever.

Thanks, Hampton. You were and always will be the school of choice.

Summa Virtute et Humanitate.

Andrena Ramsamugh-McMayo

Hampton School alumnus -1989-1994

The belfry that houses the 'Big Bell' which summoned ladies to and from classes each day.

The beautiful painted glass window which adds to the allure of the chapel.

Hampton ladies make their way past Valhalla, the seven-room building where piano lessons are taught. Local legend has it that a man killed and buried his seven wives beneath each room.

These students take a break from studying under the poui tree. It is said that the blooming of the tree signals impending examinations and woe is the student who has not begun a study regime when the yellow blooms appear.

These sixth-form ladies are captured among the lush greenery which is common on the grounds of Hampton.