Springer Memorial Secondary School has recorded an unusually high number of student transfers for the new academic year, filling the island’s only all-girls public secondary school to capacity, principal Sonja Goodridge has said.
Speaking to reporters at the start of the new school year, Goodridge said Springer had become a school of choice, with students transferring from several secondary schools.
“I was pleased to see the numbers we have added to our rolls significantly. Springer is definitely a school of choice and we’ve had a lot of students transfer in,” she said.
Springer Memorial Principal Sonja Goodridge
Goodridge suggested that some parents preferred a single-gender environment for their children.
“I do believe that being the only all-girls secondary school on the island attracts a particular type of child. Parents prefer to know sometimes that their child is in a single-gender school, and I think that that has something to do with it.”
She also pointed to the school’s sporting programmes as another factor attracting transfers.
“Some of the ones that have transferred in also tried very hard to say that it’s because of our athletic programme,” Goodridge said, noting that students were interested in a range of sports, including volleyball and netball.
But, she said the school was unable to accommodate everyone who applied.
“We couldn’t take all. We had a lot that applied and I had to say no.”
Goodridge said the school remained focused on ensuring that students already enrolled continued to receive the necessary support.
“Here at Springer we add value. We’re the ones adding the value to what we have and that we will continue to work with those that we have as well.”
The decision to accept additional students, including returning fifth-formers from schools that did not offer the option, had left Springer “chock-a-block”. “We really can’t hold anymore.”
Despite the pressure on space, she welcomed the new students and said the school would work to ensure they became part of the Springer community.
“Our motto is Members One of Another, and we will make sure that they feel a part of our community and feel welcome here today.”
Springer Memorial students arriving to the school by bus
These fifth form Springer Memorial students were seen fixing their uniforms before the start of classes for the day
Springer Memorial Principal Sonja Goodridge addressing students during the start of the 2026-2027 academic year
New first form students at Springer Memorial bowing their head in prayer during the morning assembly
(SB)
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