The Manning’s School, located in Savanna-la-mar, Westmoreland, represents what many deem to be the flagship education centre in the Parish.
At 278 years old, Mannings is the second oldest school in Jamaica (behind Wolmer’s) and boasts a rich history.
Students at the school believe in their motto, ‘Vita Sine Litteris Mors Est’, which means Life without Learning is Death, and this has shaped a proud ‘blue blooded’ school culture over the years.
Have a chat with any Mannings past student and he or she will tell you that the school is the best in Jamaica – not just because of the institution’s commitment to academic excellence, but because of a fun school environment that created long lasting memories. Some notable Manning’s alumni are Attorney General Marlene Malahoo Forte, Member of Parliament Dwayne Vaz and journalist Emily Shields.
This list won’t apply to every former Manning’s student throughout the school’s history. But, if you graduated in the last 15 years (or more), you’re likely to identify with at least a few things on the list!
Here are some things you’d only know if you attended Manning’s School:
1. Love in Action was the known couple hot spot at the school. These werebenches under a string of willow trees where couples could be seendisplaying public aection for one another at its maximum.
2. The library building was a historical landmark and also a known ‘go to’spot for sixth form students who often slept in between classes there.
3. The singing of the school song was soft until the very last line of the songwhen everyone would then shout “THAT WE REMEMBER THEE OUR OLDDEAR MANNING’S SCHOOL”.
4. Who could forget the infamous late line which started at 8 am and thelate late line which started at 8:20. Late students were stopped and theirnames written down for punishment! (Unless you and the sixth formerswere friends or you were an athletic star/ footballer).
5. The most “popular” icon at the school was the Vice Principal, Mr Coote,who seemed to be at the school for aeons. He was known as “Pear HeadCoote” (not to his face lol) because, you guessed it, his head was shapedjust like a pear.
6. When it came down to watching competitive games such as football, the6th form students always got the best view. Manning’s students’ view ofgames was based on hierarchy. If you were a rst form student, good luckseeing the eld at all!!!
7. Manning’s students, current and past, are always correcting persons anddefending the correct name of the school. “It’s not Manning’s High School.It’s THE Manning’s School“, feeling a sense of entitlement /superiority toother schools in the parish.
8. First to fth form students went to school in envy of the 6 formers.One main reason was the privilege you were given as a six former to bypassall long lines.
9. When you’re at school and the KFC aroma hits, you cut through theschool farm to satisfy your craving!
10. There were “random’ searches for phones at school and, afterwards,there were phones – that evaded capture – falling from trees, beingremoved from garbage bins and other crazy places on the campus!
11. The ‘Magic All Purpose’ yellow pill given to you by the nurses quarters for any and every illness or pain.
