Vaz Prep shines bright at 74
Published:Thursday | September 11, 2025 | 12:06 AM
With pride on their faces and joy in every heart, generations of the Vaz Preparatory School family gathered yesterday in thanksgiving to celebrate the school’s 74-year legacy of excellence, discipline, and vision at its Founder’s Day service.
The Dunoon Road, Kingston-based school pulsed with gratitude and excitement, as the institution – founded in 1951 with just three students under the leadership of trailblazer Hazel Vaz – reflected on its remarkable journey to becoming one of Jamaica’s most respected preparatory schools.
Elder Roaan Brown of Galilee Gospel Hall captured the heart of the celebration in his charge to the gathering, declaring, “This is no small achievement.”
“Vaz has a rich tradition of excellence – in academics, in culture, in sports, and most importantly, in Christian values. Generations of students have passed through these doors and gone on to become leaders, professionals, and outstanding citizens,” he said.
From its strong academic tradition to its vibrant cultural life and prowess in sports, Vaz has shaped thousands of lives. For Brown, what makes Vaz truly special is not only its achievements, but also the promise it holds for the future.
Alumni reflected warmly on how Vaz had shaped their lives and dreams. Goodwill Games swimmer Kabiki Thomas told current students that resilience was the greatest lesson he carried from his time at the school.
“What you learn here at Vaz can take you farther than you ever imagine. Dream big, don’t limit yourselves – whether you want to be a teacher, a doctor, an entrepreneur, or an athlete like me,” he told current students.
His comments echoes the school’s timeless motto: ‘Honest Labour bears a Lovely Face’, a philosophy rooted not only in knowledge, but also in integrity and character.
Fellow alumnus and swim coach Lemone Lowe echoed that encouragement, emphasising progress over perfection.
“It is a big thing for me, because for my children who I coach daily, I encourage them to do better each day,” he said.
“Try and do just a little bit better than you did the day before, not trying to be perfect, but doing the best that you can as you get better,” Lowe added.
For Beverly Ulett – niece of Hazel Vaz and one of the school’s first three pupils – the celebration was deeply personal. It also held meaning for long-time graduates like Dr Sonia Henry-Heywood, former chief medical officer at the Bustamante Hospital for Children, who remembered the founding principal as a school leader who emphasised discipline, character development and academic excellence.
“I remember Mrs Vaz as a very strict Christian teacher who insisted that everyone who entered the gates, even parents, had to maintain a certain standard of discipline,” Henry-Heywood said.
The spiritual anchor of the day came as Elder Brown drew on Proverbs 22:6: “ Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”
“Vaz has been faithful to this mission – equipping young men and women not just for success in school, but for success in life,” he said.
Brown reminded the students that their purpose at Vaz extends beyond getting good grades.
“Be disciplined, be respectful, be curious, and let your light shine. Strive for excellence, but also be kind and honest in all you do,” he said.
To teachers, he urged them to continue pouring into the children with “patience, creativity, and love”.
“Never forget that you are not just imparting knowledge, but planting seeds for Jamaica and the world,” he said.
And to parents, Brown said: “Support the school faithfully, encourage your children daily, and model the very values you want them to live by.”