In an unforgettable showdown that had hearts pounding and fans on the edge of their seats, Portland’s own Titchfield High School etched their name in glory as the 2025 champions of TVJ’s Schools’ Challenge Quiz. With a nail-biting 26 to 23 victory over Jamaica College (JC), Titchfield claimed their second hold on the prestigious trophy, igniting jubilant celebrations in Port Antonio and across the country.
The final, held on April 8, 2025, was a true test of wits and willpower. After the final bell rang, uncertainty lingered in the air as officials huddled for a tense deliberation. But when the verdict was finally read, the roar from Titchfield’s supporters—both inside the studio and across Portland—was thunderous.
Though JC entered the TVJ compound earlier and with louder cheers, it was Titchfield who had the last word. Their quiet confidence and composure under pressure carried them through a closely contested match, culminating in a three-point edge that secured their win. JC, who has now appeared in seven finals but has only one win from 1987, watched in silence as the dream slipped away.
For Titchfield, this wasn’t just a win—it was a moment of historic affirmation. Having now competed in six SCQ finals, their second championship title stands as a proud symbol of resilience, growth, and Portland power.
📚 A Legacy of Excellence
Titchfield High School, founded in 1786, is more than just one of Jamaica’s oldest institutions—it’s a cornerstone of Jamaican education and history. As the fifth-oldest high school in the country, it predates most Caribbean nations’ independence movements and has long been a hub of academic, cultural, and athletic excellence.
The school’s motto, Virtute et eruditione (“With courage and learning”), was on full display throughout this season. From dominating the buzzer to holding their own in the face of fierce competition, the 2025 quiz team upheld the rich legacy of a school that once pioneered back-to-back wins in Girls’ Champs (1963, 1964), and famously took home their first SCQ title in 2016, toppling giants like Campion College.
🌟 From Portland to the World
Titchfield’s walls have nurtured some of Jamaica’s finest minds and most distinguished citizens. Their alumni list reads like a national who’s who:
- Donald J. Harris, economist and father of U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris
- Michael Lee-Chin, OJ, billionaire investor and philanthropist
- Edward Baugh, renowned poet and scholar
- Bryan Sykes, Chief Justice of Jamaica
- Dever Orgill, international footballer
With this latest win, a new generation of Titchfield stars is stepping confidently into the spotlight.
📺 A National Tradition
The Schools’ Challenge Quiz is more than just a competition—it’s a Jamaican institution. Since its inception in 1969 on the JBC, it has evolved into a cultural mainstay, showcasing the intellectual brilliance of high school students across the island. Now broadcast by TVJ, SCQ has outlived even its UK inspiration, University Challenge, by remaining on-air without interruption for over 50 years.
Thanks to the RJRGLEANER Communications Group, the show continues to thrive, drawing nationwide attention every season as schools from rural parishes and urban centers alike square off in fierce battles of knowledge and speed.
💙 Portland Proud, Titchfield True
As the final buzzer sounded and the celebrations erupted, one thing became clear—Titchfield High School has rekindled the hopes of rural schools everywhere. In a competition often dominated by Kingston-based institutions, their win is a powerful reminder that brilliance knows no postcode.
From the blue waters of Port Antonio to the quiz studio in Kingston, the chant is rising:
“Titchfield to di wurl!”
Congratulations to the 2025 Schools’ Challenge Quiz champions—Titchfield High School. You’ve made Portland—and all of Jamaica—immensely proud.
Written by Destination Jamaica | Celebrating the island’s brightest minds and boldest victories.
#TitchfieldHigh #SCQ2025 #PortlandPride #JamaicanExcellence #SchoolsChallengeQuiz #TitchfieldToTheWorld
