*******************************************************************************
MISSION STATEMENT

To enhance and develop literacy, numeracy, creativity and discipline to positively impact the school community and the global environment.

 *****************************************************************************************************************

VISION STATEMENT

Be an agent, which will create a system to foster quality teaching and learning relationship in order to uplift and meet the needs of society.

 *****************************************************************************************************************

MOTTO

Strive For Excellence

******************************************************************************************************************

HISTORY

The May Pen Primary School is located on two acres of land on Seven Road and Muir Park Avenue in the main thorough fare of the busy town of May Pen.  It is in close proximity to the Post Office, churches and other significant business places. The May Pen Primary got its name from that capital, May Pen.  In the early 18th Century the nearest recorded seat for formal education for May Pen Primary was the school at Old Woman’s Savannah, that was built from public subscription on land that was donated by a planter.

Financing became a problem so that was abandoned. It was not until after the churches were built that there was formal education for the population of May Pen.  A day school was held in the church at Lime Savannah under the auspices of the Anglican church and small fees were charged. Another day school was held at St. James Methodist Church which became the May Pen primary School. In 1842, the church recommended that the education system be continued on the principle of voluntary subscriptions. In 1927 Muir Park where the May Pen Primary school is now located was bought by Custos Muir-Head from the Clarendon Sports Club that was handed down from the rich Pennants family ( the first land owners) to the Reverend William May who served the parish of Clarendon for thirty- two years. In 1928 the Custos gave the (5acres) of land to the parochial board to build a show ground for Agricultural products and as a recreational centre. However, that amount of land was too small and the parish council allowed the now primary school which was overcrowded at the Methodist Church location to use it.

The new school was built with the assistance of the government. Its doors were opened to a fairly small population of students in April 1928. As the towns’ population grew, so did that of the school which led to it becoming a shift school. Morning shift begins at 7:00 am to 12:00 noon; and afternoon shift begins at 12:30 and ends at 5:00 p.m. In the late 1980’s early the 1990’s the school had a population of over 5000 students on roll with over 85 teachers on staff and was ranked the largest school in Jamaica and the English Speaking Caribbean. Today, the population has been reduced to 2500.

May Pen Primary have been served by many principals since 1928.

They are Mr. E.J Whiteman – 1928-1957

Mr. L.S.C Lampart – 1957-1964

Mr. U.C Wolf -1964 -1968

Mr. C. J. Powel- January - November 1968

Mrs. A.W. McLean - 1968-1985

Mrs. D E Hughes -1985-1993

Mrs. M. Meikle – 1993- 1997

Mrs. C. McDonald – 1997-2004

Mrs. S. Comrie -2004-2009

Mrs. G. Nicolson – 2009-2010 (Acting)

Mr. S. Morgan – 2010-2011

Mrs. C Mckenzie -2011 -2012 (Interim)

Capt. P. Scott -2012-Present

Over the years, as the population of the school grew, there was need for expansion hence the ministry gave more building to facilitate the teaching/learning process.  Today there are two (2) shifts with sixty-three (63) classes, two thousand four hundred (2,400) students,  Seventy-three (73) teachers inclusive of  a Teacher Librarian, one (1) Computer Teacher, three (3) Guidance Counsellors, two (2) Vice Principals and a Principal.

The school is kept clean and safe by competent hardworking ancillary workers, and watchmen and security guards. The children are fed with hot meals from the canteen and snacks from the tuckshop on a daily basis. The Programme of Advancement Through Health and Education (PATH) serves over one thousand 1000 children daily.  The P.T.A. in association with the Guidance Department operates a breakfast programme which feeds upward of 150 students.