1997

Sadira Wins GOLD!
 Our First President Medal Winner, Sadira Teeluckdharry

The Canadian Missionaries had a special desire to establish educational opportunity for the young female population in South Trinidad. Their thoughts became reality.

Imagine a school with a total of 22 students and one teacher only. Her name was Miss Edith Doyle. This was the situation when NGHS was founded in 1912 in a single classroom in the then Grant school building on Coffee Street in San Fernando.

In those initial years, the extra-curricular was seen as an important aspect of the young person’s development. Even then girls had private lessons, but not in academics! After school classes were offered in painting, carving and music.

In four years time, (1916) the school envisaged a potential for an increase in its population and consequently moved to its present site at 4, La Pique Road. A small wooden building was erected. It consisted of  4 rooms. This provided accommodation for 30 – 40 girls.

With increased interest in the education of girls and with the difficulty of transportation and of travelling long distances, the idea of a dormitory was born. The girls could live “on campus” under the watchful eyes of the missionaries. Thus, during World War One ( 1914 – 1918  ) the  Sarah Morton Dormitory was constructed. The historic building was occupied as a dorm from 1917 to 1967. You may find out some very interesting stories about life there from your grandmothers and family friends.

In 1920 a more elaborate and sturdy building of concrete was erected. (This is where the  auditorium is now) Extensions were soon added – including 3 classrooms and a household science kitchen.

Rapidly increasing in size, 2 temporary buildings were added – “the Annex”, as it was called ( the area of the present unpaved car park ) and the Residence, called “La Retraite”. The construction of this residence provided the second entrance to the school. La Retraite was used, at first, as a kindergarten and for preparatory classes for girls wishing to enter the school. This “residence” was eventually removed and the present gymnasium replaced it in 1967.

All generations of Naps girls have worked tirelessly toward the School Building Fund, as you can see !!! In 1969, the Main Office Building (called the Adminstrative Building) was constructed. It provided seven classrooms, one general office, one records and storage room (now called the Security Room), one Geography Room ( now called the Audio-Visual Room), the Library and washroom facilities.

The famous Diamond Jubilee Naparima Girls' High School Cookbook was produced in 1987

The Sarah Morton Dormitory (at that time used as classrooms, was refurbished and re-opened by Mrs. Noor Hassanali (the then First Lady of Trinidad & Tobago and past student of NGHS and past “dorm resident”) on January 12th 1990.

Opening of a new four storey block by the then Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, the Honourable Basdeo Panday. The latest building known as the “Four-Storey-Block” was completed in 1998 and houses 2 Computer Labs, 2 Language Labs, 2 Art Rooms, a Food and Nutrition Lab, Lower And Upper 6 classrooms, a Cafeteria and washroom facilities. The realization of this Four-Storey-Block is a symbol of the creativity, talent and perseverance of the Naparima spirit. The construction of this building began with the sum of one million dollars raised from sales of our world-renowned Recipe Book – co-authored by ex-teachers Mrs. Polly Indar, the late Mrs. Sylvia Bissessar and the late Mrs. Marion “Bunty” Ramesar.

In 2000 on Language room was equipped with the latest Tandberg laboratory, one computer lab as well as theadministration block was equipped with the latest Dell computer systems and networked. Computer literacy was introduced in the curriculum for the lower school.

The upgrade of the audio visual room into full equipped multi-media laboratory with the latest technology was done in 2001.

In 2002 the 90th anniversary was celebrated. The revised version of the cookbook--The Multicultural Cuisine of the Caribbean, was launched. Start of a structured community service programme for students.

Acquisition of twenty six seater school bus with the assistance of the Parent Action Committee. Start of confirmation classes in school was done in 2003.

In 2005 was the setting up of a fully equipped research computer laboratory (Interactive Learning room) for students.

In 2006 was the opening of a new wing by the First Lady of Trinidad and Tobago, Her Excellency Dr. Jean Ramjohn-Richards. The wing includes a multi-media laboratory, a conference room, a staff lounge, and two additional classrooms. All rooms are equipped with the latest technology to asssist with the efficient and effective delivery of the cirriculum.