CAMPION COLLEGE (1960 - 2011), FORTES IN FIDE ET OPERE

"Steadfast in Faith and Work"

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The Society of Jesus

Campion Staff 1965-66

Campion’s staff from 1965

The Society of Jesus played an important role in Campion College from its early days as a boys’ private preparatory school. In the first place, Campion was named after the Catholic saint and Jesuit, Edmund Campion, who, because of his pastoral care of Roman Catholics during a period of intense religious persecution in England, was accused of treason and executed by Queen Elizabeth I. read more

Rev. Samuel Carter, S.J., (RIGHT) served as Campion College’s first Headmaster from January 1960-4. Under his administration, the Home School Association was formed, and a much needed school building programme was initiated Walters Hall (January 1961), and the Science Block (1963). In 1966, Rev. Carter was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Kingston; he was subsequently appointed Archbishop of Kingston, a position he held until his retirement in 1994.

History of Campion College

With only 105 first form students and a faculty of four Jesuit Fathers, Campion College opened its doors on January 5, 1960 and the first lessons were given that day in a pavilion and in classrooms borrowed from Campion Hall Preparatory School. Campion Hall Prep had been founded in January 1940 when Rt. Reverend Thomas A. Emmet, S.J., D.D., was Vicar Apostolic of Jamaica and V. Reverend Thomas J. Feeney, S.J. was Superior. It began on the premises of St. George's College but moved to Roslyn Hall (now known as Campion Hall) at 115 Old Hope Road on January 6, 1942.

To make room for the growing needs of Campion College, the prep school graduated its last class in December 1962, just as twenty-two years earlier it had taken in its first students to supply the needs of St. George's College.

In just over 50 years, Campion has become the premier high school in the island with over 1400 students. Some of the highlights in the history of the school include:

  • The addition of a 6th form programme in 1967
  • The transition from a private school to a grant-aided, coeducational public school in 1976
  • The school’s outstanding academic record, which has resulted in its awards for Top CSEC & CAPE School based on its examination results over several years
  • The numerous national and international awards and scholarships its graduates have received including 14 Rhodes Scholarships.

True to its Jesuit identity, the school’s mission is to create “men and women for others” by forming graduates who are “intellectually competent, open to growth, religious, loving and committed to justice.” To that end, the school has a rigorous academic curriculum as well as a carefully designed, expansive co-curricular programme for character formation. This co-curricular programme includes some 40 clubs and 15 sports and features service clubs which range from the Interact and Key Club, to the Ministry Outreach (which visits children and senior homes weekly), to the Champions Homework Club, whereby Campion students tutor children from the inner-city community of nearby Chamber’s Lane.

Campion & The Society of Jesus

Not only did the Society establish the school, but its Jesuit Fathers also served as members of staff, encouraging willing young minds in all aspects of learning, and laying foundations in religion, the arts, and science.

Jesuits who have served at Campion College over the years include: Archbishop Samuel Carter (First Headmaster, 1960-1964), Fr. William Raftery, Fr. John Dorsey, Fr. Farrell, Fr. Ashe, Fr. Coleman, Fr. Ruddy, Fr. Delaney, Br. Clarke, Fr. Bowman, Fr. Reil, Fr. Barry, Fr. Krim, Fr. Macmillan and Fr. Cowley.

Today, Fr. Joseph MacWade, Fr. Con Mulvihill and the Chairman of the School Board, Fr. Peter McIsaac, continue the tradition of Jesuit service to the school.