About Us

The purpose of the Holmwod Past Student’s Association is to bring together, and maintain the bond between the past students of Holmwood; and between past students and their Alma Mater.

The Holmwood Past Students’ Association is a partner in the advancement of the school, and in enriching the lives of students and staff, through ongoing support and collaboration. The association has the responsibility of fostering a spirit of Alumni loyalty, promoting the general welfare of students and strengthening ties between the past students, the school, and the community. 

The functions of the association include: 

• The identification and utilization of  volunteers who can assist in advancing the school’s programmes and plans through their network and connections. 
• Strengthening and sustaining the bond between Holmwood Technical High School and its graduates.
• Assisting in the development and organization of activities to promote the welfare of the school and the association.
• Contributing to the growth and development of the school’s programmes, including academics, sports and extra-curricular activities.
• Assisting the school in areas of finance, student affairs, resource development and capacity building.

Areas of involvement include:

• Representation on the Management Board
• Interaction with the Principal and Staff
• Academic Affairs
• Communication with Stakeholders
• Sports Development
• Capacity Building
• Enhancement/Aesthetics
• Infrastructure Development
• Lobbying for Support
• Revenue Generation
• Sponsorship/Mentorship Programme
• Academic Support
• Resource Centre
• Sports Development
• Feeding Programme

The Holmwood Past Students' Association is led by the International Executive Board (IEB), made up of elected members, chapter presidents, and the school board representative .

HPSA chapters are managed by their own Executive Committees, in accordance with their own by-laws and statutory or other governmental requirements, specific to their own locations.  Currently, there are three (3) active chapters: 

Eastern Chapter, Jamaica. 

Ph: 876.385.2078 or hpsaeastern@gmail.com

New York Chapter

Ph: 516.426.2980 or www.holmwoodpsany.org 

Toronto Chapter www.holmwood.net

One of the main objectives of the HPSA is growing the network of Holmwood past students through:

1. Growing membership in local chapters

2. Growing the number of chapters

3. Growing the virtual community of past students. 

The first step in forming a new chapter is to form an interest group:

• Meet informally with past students to get the names of prospective members. 
• Review the constitution and seek the assistance of an existing association to guide the process.
• Telephone and personally meet past students.
• Discuss the role of the Association and directly ask for their participation and support.

Communicate via:

• Email
• Telephone
• Messaging 
• Social media
• Periodically request update of contact information and seek interested volunteers for committees
• Get organized
• Convene a meeting of interested past students to agree on procedure

Graduating students are welcome to join a chapter nearest to their place of residence.  We encourage you to think about giving back to the institution that prepared you for the next phase in your career and personal development by joining one of  our chapters.

Holmwood, the blessed school on the hill, located in  Sedburgh, North-east Manchester, was established as Jamaica's first vocational school in February, 1936. The school was headed by Mr. Edgar B. Rogers, the first Superintendent. It was then a vocational/trade school with an enrollment of fifty male students. Students were exposed to several disciplines including, Woodwork, Bookkeeping, Shoemaking, Tailoring, Auto Mechanics, Building Construction and Carpentry, with the main focus being Agriculture.  In those early years, the students made all the furniture to supply the various departments of the school as well as other government schools across the Island. Because of the agricultural emphasis, the school owned a farm known as Denham Farm in Chudleigh. The agricultural bias allowed the institution, along with two others (Knockalva Training Centre, and Dinthill Practical Centre), to serve as a feeder school to the then Jamaica School of Agriculture.

In 1938, the school was converted from a vocational school to a Practical Training Centre. The school population included students from across the island, and students came from as far as the Turks and Caicos Islands. In 1939, the school became a boarding institution. This gave way to the building of Richards Hall which was used as the school's dormitory. 

By September 1960, the school was converted to a full Technical High School for boys, and later transitioned to a co-educational institution in September, 1961. With this transition there was a considerable increase in the population as improvement in facilities was provided by the government, through USAID. The students were placed into four streams, serviced by an academic staff of twenty-five.  

Mr. Winston B. Johnson was appointed as the first principal. following the conversion to full technical High school in 1961. The curriculum was broadened and several traditional high school subjects were offered. These included: Agricultural Science, Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Art, Geography, History, English Language and Spanish. Practical subjects such as Metal Work, Auto Mechanics, Technical Drawing, Cookery, Dressmaking, Accounts, Typewriting, Shorthand, Office Practice, Surveying and Electrical Installation were also  offered. In 1970, Mr. Ronald Hamilton succeeded Mr. W.B Johnson as principal. In 1996, Mr. Paul Bailey succeeded Mr. Hamilton and  in 2016, Mr. Bailey was succeed by Mr. Hidran McClusky, the current principal.  

The year 1986 was a milestone year in the life of the school, as it celebrated its fiftieth anniversary. The celebrations kicked off with a church service in Christiana, with the former Governor General, the late Hon. Sir Florizel Glasspole as the guest speaker. 

The students of Holmwood have excelled in academics, the arts, and sports; and the school has received letters of commendation from the Ministry of Education on the successes. Individual students have also gained scholarships and commendations from various sectors, locally, and internationally, for outstanding performances. In 2002, the sixth form program was introduced, offering CAPE (Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations. The pioneer batch graduated in 2004, acquitting themselves well in the examinations. 

Holmwood has also excelled in sports. There have been major successes in Volleyball, Cricket, Netball and Athletics. Many of the students who participated in the sporting arena have gained positions and scholarships to various colleges and universities locally, and abroad. They have also represented the school and Jamaica at local and international meets. The athletic seasons for the years 2003-2011 were the best ones for the school as the female athletes dominated the National Girls' Athletics Championships, winning a total of 10 Championships.

In addition, there have been successes in Music and Speech, and the students have gained gold and silver medals in the Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) competitions. In recent years, the students have also participated, and done well at the Spanish Festivals. 

The school's successes would not have been possible without the support of the Academic, Administrative, and Auxiliary Staff. In addition, the school’s achievements have been bolstered by the Parent-Teacher Association (PTA), the Board of Governors, and the various chapters of the Holmwood Past Students' Association.