George Henry, Gleaner Writer

The principals and vice-principals who were honoured for their decades of service to education by the Association of Principals and Vice-Principals. From left are Derrick Graham, Norma Bernard-Powell, Fitz Williams and Norma C. Powell. The four gave a combined 155 years to the teaching profession in Jamaica. - Photo by George Henry

SPALDINGS, Clarendon:

The Association of Principals and Vice-Principals honoured four of its members who have contributed a combined 155 years to Jamaica's education system. The four who recently retired from the classroom are Derrick Graham, 40 years; Fitz Williams, 39 years; Norma C. Powell, 37 years and Norma Bernard-Powell, 39 years.

Mr. Graham was principal at Porus High School; Mr. Williams served as principal at Christiana High; Ms. Powell was vice-principal at Porus High, so too Mrs. Bernard-Powell, at the Tarrant High School, Kingston.

The four were honoured in grand style at the Sunset Jamaica Grande Resort and Spa in Ocho Rios, St. Ann, at the association's annual retreat on the weekend, in front of a large audience with mostly principals and vice principals from the newly upgraded high schools. They had praises heaped on them for the work they did for Jamaica.

Citations spelling out the major contributions which the four stalwarts made while educating thousands of students during their tenure, were read to them individually, as they stood proudly and listened to a recollection of the hard work which they did over the several decades.

Mr. Graham, who is a past student of Church Teachers' College, and who also served as principal at Sanguinetti and Spaldings Primary in Clarendon, was described as a true stalwart who proved that he was not only a good teacher of Mathematics, but that he was a true educator who loved excellence.

Mr. Williams, who attended the Mico College, was described as a servant, a leader and a teacher who has made remarkable contribution to education, religion and to the Association of Principals and Vice-Principals.

Passion and drive for excellence

For her contribution, Miss C. Powell, who attended Bethlehem Teachers' College (now, Bethlehem Moravian College) in St. Elizabeth, was described as an individual whose passion and drive for excellence were paramount as a leader and whose approach to every aspect of her work spells quality.

A past student of Church Teachers' College, Mrs. Bernard-Powell, who served at Tarrant High for 34 years, was described as a hard worker who touched almost every area of school life, while serving from classroom teacher to vice-principal and remaining committed to the education of the poor.

Speaking at the function in honour of the four educators, the Reverend Karl Henlin, president of the Jamaica Baptist Union, expressed concern about the length of time it takes for those who reach retirement age to receive their well earned pension. He also spoke about the small amount of pension they receive after spending decades in the Government service.