In a historic tribute to one of Jamaica’s most storied educational institutions, Governor-General Sir Patrick Allen has officially proclaimed April 16 as National Kingston College Day, marking the 100th anniversary of the school’s founding.
The proclamation was read aloud by the school’s chairman, Michael Vaccianna, during the Kingston College Centenary Purple Tie Dinner and Awards held Wednesday night at the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel.
Founded in 1925 by then Bishop of Jamaica, Dr. G.F.C. DeCarteret, with Bishop Percival Gibson as its first headmaster, Kingston College (KC) was established to address the social inequities of the time by providing quality secondary education to poor black boys, particularly those from underserved communities in Downtown Kingston. The school has since grown into a powerhouse of academic, athletic, and cultural excellence.
“Every great nation is shaped by institutions that challenge the status quo and widen the reach of opportunities, and that is Kingston College,” said Prime Minister Andrew Holness in a video message commemorating the milestone. “One hundred years ago, your school was founded with that bold mission to make quality education accessible… the school not only offered an education but a pathway to mobility, leadership, and meaningful national contribution.”
On social media, Holness also extended his best wishes, stating: “Yesterday I bid a happy 100-year anniversary to the great Kingston College. The institution has a rich legacy of national impact, and I wish the school’s past and present students and leadership 100 more years of excellence.”
Opposition Leader Mark Golding, who was also present at the dinner, lauded the school’s centenary achievement. “Tonight is a particularly auspicious occasion because April 16, on your 100th anniversary, has been proclaimed by the Governor-General KC Day — who would have thought that?” he remarked, referencing a similar honour given to Wolmer’s in 2019 on its 290th anniversary.
KC’s centennial year has been filled with high-profile recognitions and celebrations. On Monday, the school was granted the Keys to the City of Kingston, followed by a celebratory parade through the capital.
The institution, affectionately known as the “Famed Purples,” has also enjoyed a dominant year in sports, winning its fourth consecutive ISSA Boys’ and Girls’ Athletics Championship title in March. They added the Manning Cup and Olivier Shield football championships to their trophy cabinet, alongside Under-14 and Under-16 urban and all-island titles in both football and table tennis. KC also triumphed in the Lacrosse Taino Cup and the Math Quiz competition.
Kingston College’s alumni include a range of national figures such as former U.S. Ambassador to Jamaica N. Nick Perry, former Jamaican Ambassador to the United States Stephen Vasciannie, master painter Barrington Watson, sculptor Basil Watson, actor Paul Campbell, and retired U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Vincent R. Stewart.
As KC celebrates a century of transforming lives, its legacy continues to inspire generations at home and abroad, with several active alumni chapters, including the Kingston College Alumni of South Florida.
