pursuits. A golden griffin against a dark blue background completes the right half of the shield. The griffin, being the combination of the lion (king of beasts) and the eagle (most powerful and recognised bird of prey) represents the best of both creatures in terms of their characteristics and status – similar traits are to be displayed by each student. Finally, the shield is surrounded by a scroll with the school's motto inscribed around the entire circumference. Motto The most commonly used form of the school motto is "Fervet opus in campis". In full, it is "Floreat collegium, fervet opus in campis". The complete Latin motto is literally translated as "May the college flourish, work is burning in the field". The inspiration for the school's motto stems from the harnessing of one's energy and motivation to enable success, especially in study. Students are taught that there must be the "fervet opus", that is figuratively, we must not only strike the iron while it is hot, but strike it till it is made hot. Following on this, a proverb states that "He who has heart has everything" ("che non arde non incende", who doth not burn doth not inflame). It is astonishing how much may be accomplished in self-culture by the energetic and the persevering, who are careful to avail themselves of opportunities, and use up the fragments of spare time which the idle permit to run to waste. Prayer The school prayer reflects the Christian beginnings of the school. "Bless, O Lord, this College. Create among us a spirit of comradeship and loyalty to one another. When we are called to obey, let us obey with willingness. When we are called to serve, let us serve with gladness. When we are called to rule, make us rule with justice. Drive away from us all ignorance and hardness of heart. All things dishonorable and unclean. And build us up in body mind and spirit. Until we come to the full stature of the perfect man, Jesus Christ our Lord, amen" Mascot Jamaica College has never had an official mascot although the griffin is almost always cited as one. Nickname The nickname "True Blue" or sometimes "The Dark Blues" is based on the school's official colour of navy blue. Alumni affirm their association with the school by proclaiming to be "True Blue" graduates, loosely associated with the English idiom meaning to be