Greengates School

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Greengates School is a British-style international school located in San Mateo in the northwest of Mexico City, Mexico. It was founded in 1951. As of 2005, it has approximately 1,150 students, divided between its "Infant and Junior School" and its "Intermediate and Senior School". Students, of some 50 nationalities, derive mainly from the diplomatic and international business communities.

In the senior school years 4 and 5 study for IGCSE (International General Certificate of Secondary Education) examinations, which in the sixth form students prepare for the International Baccalaureate Diploma.

The school preserves the philosophy of its founding statement: "...to provide an education for students which seeks not only to impart knowledge by the means of acquiring knowledge; to develop character and personality through self-discipline and service; to equip its pupils not only to earn their living but also to live creatively and happily in the world which they must inherit".

[edit] History

Greengates School was founded in 1950 at Avenida Chapultepec 490, Mexico City. It had two founding partners, Edward Foulkes and Frank Whitbourn with Henry Coelho joining the school as a teacher. In the beginning there were just 60 students, 6 teachers, one matron, and one secretary.

Originally, the school had no uniform and only one school bus. As the school grew steadily it moved several times over the next few years. Eventually in 1964 the present piece of land in San Mateo was purchased.

The architect for the building was Innes Webster and the initial building work was completed in 1970. The school campus has been expanding ever since and today includes a large gymnasium, a theater, two libraries, a swimming pool, a small goodies-shop/restaurant (The Tuck Shop), and a playing field. At this point Andre Desouches also became a partner in the school.

Currently, Henry Coelho is the main owner of the school, with the Desouches family owning the second largest interest. Small shares are also owned by several private investors, including staff and teachers.

[edit] Susan Mayer, MBE

In November 2005, Susan Mayer, the school's principal since 1980, received a telephone call from representatives of the British Empire. She was being considered for an MBE award (Member of the Order of the British Empire award) and was asked if she would accept. Accepting, Susan Mayer was not to reveal this secret until the New Year's Honour List was published. Two months later, she went to England to receive the award for: "Services to British Education in Mexico." She is still the principal of the school.