Manning's Global Community
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The Late Hon. Herbert George Neita, BSC-Econ, DIP, ED.
A GREAT headmaster, arguably the GREATEST headmaster of our time at Manning's School. His legacy lives on through many of us past students who have had the priviledge of attending Manning's under his reign. All headmasters who succeeded to his position were always compared and measured against Mr. Neita's example. There was something about him that made us all aspire for greater things because we never wanted to disappoint him. We were priveledged as students to have Mr. Neita as a Principal/Headmaster, one who gave us the leadership and guidance like a father, made sure were were educated by the best teachers through his recruitment and retention policies, made available to ALL students a Sports program that made us all proud to be Manning's School students, and encouraged participation in extra curricular activities (Cadet, Science Club, Debating Club, Student Council, School Challenge Team and Chess Club). He lead by example and has left a lasting legacy for all Manning's students to aspire for greatness and to fulfill his expectation and regular stated mantra, to be "the best in the west." He often expressed a challenge to us all, as students and teachers alike: "Ask not what your school can do for you but what you can do for your school".
Mr. Neita commanded respect and in return extended the same respect to his students. Mr. Neita believed in structure and provided that environment for all students who attended Mannings School. He recognized that if a student did not have a structured environment, the student could easily lose their way. Mr. Neita was ever present, and his influence his influence lingers today, so much so you can occasionally see or feel his presence when you are doing something questionable. We can all remember morning devotions where we were charged with the responsibility and expectation of personal conduct becoming of a Manning's student. Occasionally, we were reminded of behavior that was unbecoming, which sometimes included but was not limited to making examples of students who were guilty of intolerable behaviour. He was firm but reasonable and could always be expected to surprise you with unusual responses. There are countless stories of students that were sent to his office only to be greeted by the rhetorical question "what are you doing here ?" "Go back to your class." At other times Mr. Neita could be seen as a proud principal who would call students with special skills and talents to the podium to showcase their talents to the rest of the school. If you were passing the auditorium on a Monday morning after we we lost a football match, you would have thought Mannings just won the championship because he certainly knew how to encourage and excite the students with pride and hope that we would win the next match. The man was an icon, father, principal, leader, friend, son, husband, and councilor, characteristics which we all appreciated and recognized, characteristics that helped us become great and respected citizens.
While we cannot even begin to adequately express how much Mr. Neita meant to us and influenced our decisions , we wanted to share our love and respect for him. Below is a combination of Cartoons, Pictures, Tributes and articles in honour of the Hon. Herbert George Neita.
Many thanks to Chris & Michael Neita who were instrumental in providing some of the information below. We certainly thank the Neita family for the years of sacrifice and sharing Mr. Neita with us "the larger family" known as Manning's School.
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NEITA, Herbert George, B.Sc., Dip Ed.; Teacher. Consultant to Ministry of Education since March 1989. Organizations: Chairman Mandeville Regional Hospital. Born: Glengoffe, St. Catherine, October 18, 1925, son of the late Robert Neita and Isadore Richards-Neita. Career: Royal Air Force 1944-49; Principal Manning’s High School 1973-89. Awards: Badge of Honour for Meritorious Service 1979. Denomination: Anglican. Married: Lorna Louise Thompson, December 17, 1958; 2 sons. Interests: Photography, Reading. Club: Rotary. Address: Mandeville, Manchester.
Cartoon Images: Another great characteristic of Mr Neita was his sense of Humour. Mr Neita at times had a tendency to provoke laughter and provide amusement which is quite evident in a few of our yearbooks. Below are a few of the most Memorable moments.
1. Herbert George Neita Remembered
2. Herbert George Neita Retires
Tributes to Hon. H.G. Neita:
From Past Student Delford George Morgan:
It was only after he had passed the Common Entrance Examination that Mr. Morgan received his first pair of shoes, bought by his grandmother. Despite the struggles through school, he recalls with gratitude, the kind and father-like principal of his alma mater Manning's High, Herbert Neita, and the unforgettable Euphemia Williams, who both gave valuable lessons in the virtue of service, to school and community.
From Life-Long friend Mr. Ruddock:
Mr Ruddock said that from 1973 when there was a great social change in the country Mr. Neita was an agent of change as he not only revolutionized education at Mannings High School but he changed the landscape of Mannings High School and re-fashioned the Savanna-la-mar populace with a pride which allowed the moulding of the school into national recognition and put it on par with other illustrious schools.
Additional information:
Memorable moments with Mr. Neita can be found in the Blogs..