20 things only a Hampton girl would know

One of the oldest boarding schools in Jamaica, the Malvern-based all-girls’ Hampton School was founded in 1858, two years after its all-boys brother school, Munro College. With its motto Suma Virtute Et Humanitate (With Utmost Courage and Courtesy), the school is known for producing well-rounded ladies. Observer Online spoke with members of the school’s alumni community, who shared fond memories of their time at the institution and some insights on things a person would only know if they attended Hampton. 1. The Quadrangle — While mainly used for devotions, the Quadrangle was the meeting place for the entire school, including teachers, who looked on from the staffroom balcony. Devotions became known as ‘quad’ and were mandatory for ladies to start the morning with the good word. With girls lined up in order of forms, the fifth formers would get exposed to the sun first as it rose higher, but the longer quad went on, especially if it’s a Monday or a Friday, just prepare for everyone to be hot! 2. The ‘sacred’ garden, stairs and blocks — The principal's garden leading to the front office with its turtle pond was strictly out of bounds for students, and most would only walk through it if they returned after graduation. Similarly, no student was ever supposed to set foot on the steep teachers' stairs leading to the staff room, and no lower school students should ever be seen on the sixth and fifth form blocks. 3. Blueprint — Blueprint is one of the only all-female steel bands in the country, and Hamptonians will tell you it’s the best! Tickets for the band’s annual show, Echoes, sell out quickly. Founded by the school's long-time music teacher Alison Morris, Blueprint often performs alongside the school’s celebrated choir. 4. Seniors rule the seats — Hampton was one of the few schools in the country with a fully functional private bus system decades before the new Rural School Bus Programme, and seating charts were no joke. As an informal rule, only seniors were allowed at the back of the bus, and girls would sit in descending order. 5. Late-bugs walk! — Hampton ladies who were late to school would not have the privilege of getting dropped off near the quadrangle; rather, they would have to walk up the long hill leading to the quad in the early morning sun as penance. 6. The green tables — The green (now blue) tables and benches set up across the school grounds hold a special spot in every Hamptonian’s heart; from laughs to trading ‘sus’, they remain a cherished meeting spot for students. 7. Flaming black cake and carolling – This blazing dessert was a speciality afforded to boarding students each year during Christmas celebrations. Students would also be expected to dress warmly and go out carolling in the quiet town of Malvern where the school is situated. 8. Hamptonia — The school’s song, a celebration of its location, creation, ethos and students with its notoriously difficult high notes is learned quickly by all new students if only because it is sung so often at ‘quad’. ‘Vivat floreat Hamtonia, Crescat floreat, Hamptonia, In saecula, per multa Floreat Hamptonia.’ 9. Tuck — For boarders, who would only go home every three weeks, tuck boxes were where food and snacks were stored, and students would get access to them on Wednesday evenings and weekends. Opening tuck boxes to trade cup soups, banana chips and Tiggaz was always an exciting prospect. 10.‘Substance’ and cheese/ Sugarbun and cheese — Some older Hamptonians describe it as a cornbread-like cake while other younger ladies remember a brown spiral bun, but whether you called it ‘substance’ or ‘sugarbun ’, the baked good sold with a slice of cheese was always in high demand at ‘bottom caf’ or ‘top caf’. 11. ‘Country’ side and ‘city’ side dorms – Dormitories are split down the middle with a ‘country’ side and a ‘city’ side; the city side consists of the newer pink, green and blue buildings, while the country side consists of older, more traditional dwellings including Villa, Cottage and Ivy Rota. 12. Prizegiving — Held every November, this ceremony is based on academic performance. Only girls with an average of over 75 per cent were allowed to attend along with their families, to be awarded a silver pin (for averages 75 to 84 per cent) or a gold pin (85 per cent and above) to be worn on uniforms or ties. 13. “It’s not Hampton High” (sigh) — Every Hampton girl has, at some point, had to correct someone about the name of the institution, which is Hampton School (for Girls), not Hampton High or Hampton High School, an oft-repeated mistake. 14. The Hampton Clap — Five rounds of five successive claps, a sound distinctive to Hampton and instantly recognisable to anyone who attended the institution. 15. With utmost courage and courtesy — Poise and courtesy are an important part of life at Hampton. Grace, dignity, and composure are emphasised, even after leaving school, you’re unlikely to find a Hamptonian eating while walking or walking with their hands in their pockets. Chewing gum is also not allowed and would never be found for sale in the school’s cafeteria. 16. Dear Munro… — Hampton’s brother school is a 15-minute drive away, and phones are not allowed for lower school students. In order to communicate with their friends (and beaus!) boarders would send specially folded letters delivered by the ‘day-girls’. Written on a single ‘book-leaf ’, the letters would be folded so that the paper became the envelope too, concealing the contents prior to delivery. Aside from letters, the two schools share an intrinsic bond, from excitement about supporting the all-boys school at football and track meets and Schools Challenge Quiz, shared bus routes and pandemonium when they came to visit; Hampton without Munro is like sugarbun without cheese. 17. Chapel — Religion is important for Hampton ladies, and boarders attend services in the school's historic chapel every Sunday. The attire for these sessions is the same for all students: their bright white chapel gowns. 18. Poui trees — Gracing the grounds of Hampton School are several poui trees, the largest in front of the Information Technology labs. Once these started to bloom with their distinctive yellow flowers, it’s said it would be too late to start studying, as exams are around the corner! 19. Names we can’t forget – The people make the place, and there are some names beloved by students that have been passed down through generations: Mr Singh (hello, get away!), Mr Hall (Biology and Quiz), Ms Reid (History), Ms Quest (Art), Ms Green (Housemother), Ms King (Law), Mrs Taylor (lunch matron), Mr Dwight (cook), Maxine (ancillary staff), Mickey (groundskeeper) and of course Mr Fabian Letman (Security and logistics). 20. Finish the sentence — "Hampton Ladies are...", "Heads up shoulders back…”, “Hampton ladies don’t set trends…” “If Gold rusts…” - Dana Malcolm