History

Mrs Maude Howell-Dales was appointed the next Principal. Her love for the arts led her to encourage concerts, exhibitions and other public cultural displays. She fostered the school’s reputation for perfection in the arts, particularly drama and music.

Miss Bessie Bentley was appointed the new Principal. Naparima Girls’ High School Alumnae Association was established

The school’s Silver Jubilee was celebrate The Southern Wing was completed. Funding for all new buildings at this time came from the Canadian Women’s Missionary Society. The school’s enrollment stood at 222.

Miss Margaret Scrimgeour was appointed principal. NGHS expanded significantly under her guidance. Thirty teachers were part of the full-time staff and Miss Phoebe Lahouri was appointed as the Vice Principal.

Miss Grace Beattie assumed her tenure as Pr Attendance was increasing and the school urgently needed to expand but Government’s funding was difficult to obtain since the war effort was a strain on the country’s treasury. Two “temporary” wooden buildings were erected to house students. These buildings were used for the next twenty years. The Alumnae became involved in fund raising projects for much needed buildings.  

A Science block and additional classrooms were erected.

  Science was introduced to the curriculum with a well equipped lab and qualified staff. The curriculum was expanded to include Spanish, Chemistry, Physics, Biology and Health Science

Miss Margaret Scrimgeour was appointed Principal for the third time.

The Auditorium was completed providing both an upper and lower floor.

The school celebrated its Golden Jubilee.

Cambridge A’ Level classes started at Naparima Girls’ High School.

Miss Beulah Meghu, the first Trinidadian principal was appointed. A great deal of emphasis was placed on developing the full potential of students in a non-competitive atmosphere. The La Pique Revue, the school’s magazine began publication under the guidance of Mrs Mavis Lee Wah. It showcased the creativity, intelligence and achievements of students.

The school’s Student Council was established. A Counselling and Guidance programme was started under Dr. Constance Wagar.

The school first gained National Scholarships

Physical expansion of the school – two modern wings replacing the old buildings. Career Guidance was started Extra-curricular activities were expanded to include netball, chess, modern dancing and steel pan

The expansion of the auditorium was complete

Mrs Mavis Lee Wah was appointed principal. The Parents’ Action Committee was formed. The school’s Inter-House Arts Festival was implemented with categories such as drama, dance, singing, story-writing, photography and this produced entrants to the community’s San Fest Competition.

Mrs. Jean Bahadur was appointed as Principal. She placed great emphasis on teaching and learning strategies.

The school celebrated its Diamond Jubilee and the famous Diamond Jubilee Cookbook was produced

The school celebrated its 80th Anniversary.

The President’s Award Scheme was started with this school as its base

The start of the four storey block and sealing of a Time Capsule by the Prime Minister of Trinidad & Tobago, The Honourable Patrick Manning.

Naparima Girls’  High  School  won  its  first  President’s  Gold  Medal  through  Sadira Teeluckdharry.

The new prefect system was introduced to encourage all Lower Six students to develop their leadership and organizational skills The opening of the four storey block, by the Prime Minister of Trinidad & Tobago, The Honourable Basdeo Panday. It housed the 6th form classrooms, Art Studios, Food and Nutrition, Computer and Language Laboratory as well as a Cafe

Mrs Patricia Ramgoolam was appointed Principal. The Language and Computer Labs were equipped. Computer Literacy was first introduced on the curriculum for Forms 1 – 3 and Technical Drawing in Lower

2 President’s Gold Medals, Cherisse Baldeo  (Science/Math category) ,  Nadine Ramharack (Non-Science category). 95th Anniversary celebrations, Heads of Department and Deans formally appointed. Launch of Centenary celebrations

Production of the Musical “Annie” 1st Centenary Cruise

Centenary Cruise II – April Media Launch of Centenary Celebrations – May Publication of “Youth Undaunted” – November Production of the Musical “13 Daughters” – November Grand Reunion – December

CAPE School of the Year Award for 2014 – Naparima Girls’ High School

Dedication and Formal opening of Centenary Wing and Skywalk

With the school’s popularity growing, a small dormitory was created in an existing structure on Coffee Street to house ten girls with Miss Mary John becoming the first matron.

Miss Outhit was succeeded in 1916, by Miss Grace Beattie, an Arts graduate of Toronto University and a deaconess of the Presbyterian Church. Miss Beattie’s vision for the school was one of holistic education, aiming to build sound character through all-round development.

NGHS operated under an administrative system similar to that of Naparima College with a Principal and a headmistress each with distinctive roles.

Miss Adella Archibald was appointed Principal of the school, with her main duty being to supervise and manage the new building project while Miss Beattie continued to function as Headmistress responsible for the school, until 1919 when she was elevated to the post of Principal. Mrs. Amelia Adolphus was appointed as matron of the dormitory

Planted the now iconic tamarind tree. It was in 1925, that NGHS attained the official status of Secondary School and the first Senior Cambridge class consisting of two students sat the external examination.

Mrs. Irene Thompson-Kerster was appointed principal