The Sydenham Basic School started in September 1971 by Principal and Founder, Mrs. Daphne Case. The school was originally located at the Sydenham Community Center and later temporarily relocated to her veranda at 5 West Avenue, Sydenham to facilitate improvements made to the community center. In 1972 when the Early Childhood Education program initiative was started, Mrs. Case returned to school to become an Early Childhood Education teacher under the guidance of Myrtle Johnson, Senior Education Officer. Sydenham Basic School was then registered in the program, hence the birth of the first early childhood education program in the community. Sydenham Basic School’s student population increased exponentially as this was the only remaining basic school in the community. Students in attendance came from all surrounding areas including McCook’s Pen, Willowdene, Hopedale, Old Harbour Road, Spanish Town, Homestead, Windsor Heights, Horizon Park and Villa Nova. Because the attendance grew at a great rate, the principal added two teachers to assist in the classrooms.
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The school became a household name, and everyone wanted to send their child to the Sydenham Basic School. As the student population continued to grow, Mrs. Case realized she would soon exceed capacity in the present location. When the opportunity to lease the property directly across the street from her home arose, she and her husband acquired the space and did the improvements to make the place a suitable learning experience for the
children. The Sydenham Basic School have seen many students who not only graduated high school but also college and university and have achieved great success. Some of those students, include her son Earl and daughter Michelle, and some of her grandchildren. This continued until the land was bought by Mr. Y.P. Seaton. Letters were sent to Mr. Seaton requesting assistance to maintain the space, but his responses were few, far between and negative. Again, the school was slated to be relocated. Today the school is proudly housed in a new building constructed by Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) and attendance is exceptional as the name Sydenham Basic School is synonymous with none other than the Founder, Mrs. Daphne Case.
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