Port Maria High and Preparatory School – Graduation Program 2026

Overview of the Graduation Program and Its Distinguished Speakers

The Port Maria High and Preparatory School’s 2026 graduation program stands as a milestone event that honors a longstanding commitment to faith-based education, academic preparation, and service to the wider community. Central to the ceremony are two esteemed speakers: Pastor Charles Brevitt, who serves as Vice President and oversees governance within the West Jamaica Conference, and Hon. Audrey V Sewell, OJ, CD, JP, a cabinet secretary in the Office of the Prime Minister and the Ministry of Economic Growth & Job Creation. Their reflections promise to connect the graduates’ efforts with a broader mission of integrity, leadership, and public service, offering both spiritual inspiration and practical guidance for the steps that follow graduation. This convergence of religious leadership and public service leadership signals the school’s intent to nurture graduates who are prepared for higher education, responsible citizenship, and meaningful community impact.

During the ceremony, attendees can expect a crafted program that interweaves solemn worship, formal recognition of achievement, and messages that invite graduates to translate their learning into constructive action. The combination of a consecration-focused speaker and a commencement speaker reflects the school’s dual emphasis on character formation and academic readiness. By foregrounding these voices, Port Maria High and Preparatory School underscores its aim to guide students as they move from a period of rigorous study into opportunities to serve others with competence and compassion. The event is therefore both a celebration of past effort and a call to future responsibility.

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Mission, Philosophy, and Vision

The school’s mission centers on equipping students for continued study and for meaningful service in this life and the life beyond. This preparation is pursued through a well-rounded curriculum designed to nurture intellectual ability, physical health, social responsibility, and spiritual maturity. The goal is to develop the whole person so that graduates can contribute to society with confidence, curiosity, and ethical discernment. In short, the institution seeks to cultivate learners who are capable, conscientious, and ready to make constructive choices as they pursue further education and dedicated service.

The school’s philosophical foundation rests on a conviction that God is the Creator and sustainer of all things. Education here is grounded in Seventh-day Adventist Christian pedagogy, which aims to restore the divine image within imperfect humanity by fostering faith in Christ and encouraging selfless service to others. The program also emphasizes physical well-being and spiritual growth as essential components of a balanced life, preparing students not only for this world but for what lies beyond. This faith-centered framework informs both daily instruction and longer-term aims for character development and lifelong learning.

The vision statement positions Port Maria High and Preparatory School as a premier educational institution within St. Mary, dedicated to the holistic development of God’s children in partnership with Him. The objective is to nurture well-rounded individuals whose intellectual abilities are sharpened, whose moral compass is clear, and whose sense of purpose is aligned with a higher calling. Underpinning this vision is a motto that emphasizes reliance on divine leadership as the catalyst for success, reinforcing the message that achievements are best realized when guided by faith and principle.

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Welcome and Practical Guidance for Guests

The program opens with a warm invitation to guests, acknowledging their presence as a meaningful part of the graduates’ journey. Guests are encouraged to explore the school’s community and campus and to participate in the weekend’s festivities with a spirit of celebration and respect. To ensure the events proceed smoothly, a few practical guidelines are shared: keep the program booklet as a reference during the activities, be seated well ahead of each event’s start time, and allow the official media team to handle photography from the central aisle. These small but thoughtful directives help create a dignified and orderly atmosphere for all attendees while enabling families and friends to capture memories of this important milestone. The school expresses gratitude for each guest’s contribution to the celebration and hopes the experience will be a source of lasting memories for everyone involved.

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Retrospect: Foundations and Early Growth

The school’s heritage traces back to a pivotal moment in the early 1960s when members of the Port Maria Seventh-day Adventist community recognized the need for a Christian educational institution that would deliver quality, faith-centered schooling for their children. The dream became a tangible reality on February 14, 1963, when Port Maria Academy opened its doors with just five students. The institution initially conducted classes in the vestry of the local church, a humble beginning that quickly gave way to expansion as demand for Christian education rose. Within a short span, enrollment grew to twenty-three students, prompting the church to allocate funds toward constructing a dedicated school building. This early investment laid the groundwork for a transformation that would eventually evolve into Port Maria High and Preparatory School, setting a trajectory of growth and service that would endure for decades.

As enrollment increased, the school emerged as a central pillar of education in the region, eventually serving several hundred students at its peak. Yet the journey was not without challenges; financial pressures and fluctuations in enrollment during the late 1970s tested the school’s resilience. Through perseverance, faithful leadership, and community support, the institution endured and continued to cultivate young minds for both this life and the life to come. The story of these early years speaks to a community united by faith and a shared commitment to education as a pathway to opportunity, character, and service.

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Retrospect, Continued: Leadership, Alumni, and Community Partners

Over the years, the success of Port Maria High and Preparatory School has been reflected in the achievements of its alumni, including several of the original five students who later earned master’s and doctoral degrees. The school’s graduates have gone on to serve with distinction across diverse fields—pastors, physicians, teachers, leaders in non-profit and administrative roles, business operators, nurses, technicians, artisans, and more. Their professional contributions—both locally and abroad—stand as a testament to the quality of education and the values instilled within the school’s walls. This legacy of accomplishment underscores the institution’s commitment to shaping individuals who excel academically while remaining devoted to service and ethical leadership.

In addition to its students, the school acknowledges the devoted principals and administrators who have guided Port Maria High and Preparatory School through successive chapters of growth. Names and legacies of long-serving leaders reflect a continuum of faith-based governance and educational stewardship. The school also recognizes the generous support of its colleagues and partners—regional church conferences, educational boards, donors, and friends—whose contributions have enabled ongoing development, program improvement, and the expansion of facilities necessary to sustain a high-quality educational experience for generations of learners.

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Continued Growth: Facilities, Partnerships, and Ongoing Gratitude

In response to evolving educational needs, Port Maria High and Preparatory School has undertaken extensive physical upgrades. A modern two-story complex now houses the Early Childhood Department, Preparatory Division, and High School. This refreshed infrastructure stands as a tangible sign of progress and a more conducive environment for students to explore, collaborate, and grow. The school remains deeply grateful for the steadfast support of its broader church community, including the Central Jamaica Conference of Seventh-day Adventists and the North-East Jamaica Conference. Their continued guidance and financial and moral support have been instrumental in the school’s ongoing development, helping to sustain programs, fund capital projects, and foster a climate in which students can thrive academically and spiritually.

The enduring gratitude expressed by Port Maria High and Preparatory School extends beyond brick and mortar; it acknowledges the people, partnerships, and principles that have sustained the school through economic ups and downs. The institutional motto—an affirmation that success is possible when God leads the way—continues to inspire teachers, students, families, and supporters alike. This shared sense of purpose anchors the community as it navigates new challenges and opportunities, always aiming to honor the school’s mission of educating for both this life and the life to come.

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A Message to Graduates: Encouragement, Vision, and Sacred Purpose

In addressing the graduating class, the Education Director, along with the Jamaica Union’s leadership, offers heartfelt congratulations to a group they describe as stalwarts—graduates who have worked diligently and stood steadfastly as they prepare to enter a new chapter. The message affirms that the journey from preparatory studies to the high school years and beyond is not merely about accumulating credentials, but about realizing a clear and hopeful vision for life. The emphasis is on finishing well—on turning a dream into a realized future through perseverance, disciplined study, and the support of dedicated educators and mentors who have walked alongside the students every step of the way.

Graduates are urged to maintain a broad vision that extends beyond personal achievement to serve others and contribute to the common good. The guidance invites them to interpret their experiences through timeless values and divine guidance, recognizing that true greatness often emerges when individual aspirations align with a higher purpose. The education director emphasizes that success is shaped by resilience in the face of setbacks, the integrity of character, and the ongoing commitment to learn, grow, and give back to their communities. The message also reinforces the biblical wisdom that a strong end to life’s endeavors reflects the quality of the journey and the steadfastness of one’s convictions.

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Closing Reflections and Digital Remembrances

As part of the broader celebration, the program’s digital components—such as the flipbook and online galleries—capture and preserve the moments that accompany the graduation weekend. These resources serve as lasting records of the students’ achievements, the faculty’s guidance, and the community’s support. They also offer a way for families, friends, and alumni to revisit the experience long after the gowns have been put away, ensuring that memories of the ceremony, the speeches, and the collaborative spirit endure. The emphasis on accessible media reflects the school’s commitment to celebrating success in ways that are inclusive and enduring, while inviting ongoing engagement from the wider Port Maria community.

The concluding sentiments of gratitude reiterate appreciation for the donors, staff, administrators, and families whose sacrifices have made possible the graduates’ achievements. The school’s leadership expresses a deep sense of humility before God, acknowledging that all blessings come from above and that continued progress depends on steadfast faith, wise stewardship, and a shared commitment to the school’s mission. The 2026 class is urged to carry forward the values that have shaped their years at Port Maria, stepping into the future ready to lead with character, competence, and compassion.

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Port Maria High & Prep. Graduation Program 2026 - Flipbook by Fleepit