In 1912, the school opened with its first 22 pupils in a small classroom on Coffee Street, San Fernando with Miss Edith Doyle as the first Headmistress and the sole teacher. When Miss Doyle retired six months later, she was succeeded by Miss Marion Outhit M.A., a graduate of Dalhousie University. In 1914, With the school’s popularity growing, a small dormitory was created in an existing structure on Coffee Street to house ten girls with Miss Mary John becoming the first matron. In 1916, Miss Outhit was succeeded in 1916, by Miss Grace Beattie, an Arts graduate of the University of Toronto and a deaconess of the Presbyterian Church. Miss Beattie’s vision for the school was one of holistic education, aiming to build sound character through all-round development. 1925 - Planted the now iconic tamarind tree. It was in 1925, that NGHS attained the official status of Secondary School and the first Senior Cambridge class consisting of two students sat the external examination.
Motto and Hymn
The school's motto is Non nobis solum sed Omnibus which is Latin for Not for ourselves only but for Others. In keeping with these words to live by, students are required to complete forty hours of community service during the first four years of their secondary education at the school. After these compulsory hours, students are free to add more. The school hymn is Youth Undaunted.
Principals
Miss Edith Doyle
Miss Marion Outhit
Miss Grace Beattie
Miss Adella Archibald
Miss Constance Young
Miss Grace Beattie
Miss Margaret Scrimgeour
Miss Beulah Meghu
Mrs. Mavis Lee Wah
Mrs. Jean Bahadur
Mrs. Patricia Ramgoolam
Mrs. Carolyn Bally-Gosine
The years 1928 to 1939 saw four changes of Acting Principal: Mrs. Irene Thompson-Kerster in 1928, Miss Margaret Scrimgeour in 1930, Mrs. Maude Howell-Dales in 1932 and Miss Bessie Bentley in 1936.
House system
The students are placed into five teams called 'houses'. The houses compete against each other in sporting, arts and cultural activities. All houses vie for the title "Best House" which is named at the end of every school year. Houses gain points and merits which are totalled, the highest scoring house receives the award. Each house was named after a prominent female figure and also assigned a colour. The houses and their colours are:
