STANHOPE Porteous, the immediate past principal of Clarendon College, was recently recognised for his 40 years of service to the school, including 20 as principal.

“Under his leadership, the school has maintained high academic achievement. The staff turnover has been low and there is a good blend of academic achievement and extracurricular activities,” said Education Minister Maxine Henry-Wilson, who was the guest speaker at Porteous’ retirement function held at the school in Chapelton, Clarendon.

Porteous started teaching at Clarendon College in 1963 and retired from the school late last year.

“He served in many capacities – classroom teacher, senior teacher, coordinator of the evening school. He became vice principal in 1974 until 1984 when he received the post of principal,” said senior Clarendon College teacher Charmaine Chutcon, in a citation to the retired principal.

“At the same time he was an active part of the Chapelton community. He served as a deacon and lay preacher at the Salem United Church, sat on the board of the Chapelton Library as well as doing his duty as a justice of the peace and lay magistrate,” the citation read.

She said that among Porteous’ awards were:

. 1989 Chapelton/Sangster’s Heights award for service to the community

. 1999 the Golden Torch Award from the Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA)

. 2003 Outstanding Principal award from the Caribbean Association of Principals

. 2003 the Prime Minister’s Award for service to the community.

“It must have been a long and lasting love that kept him here for so long,” said Wentworth Gabbidon, President of the Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA). “Whatever it was, the JTA says thank you,” said Gabbidon.

At the same time, the Jamaica Association of Secondary School Principals commended Porteous for his dedication to the profession.

“Stan has been a faithful member of the association (and has) attended meetings regularly. He will be missed,” said Clement Radcliffe, Principal of the Glenmuir High School, and who was representing the president of the association Bradford Gayle.

“We wish for him a busy retirement with long life for Pansy and the kids,” said Radcliffe.

“We see him as an outstanding example of the triumph of the human spirit,” said Reverend Dr Maitland Evans, general secretary of the United Church in Jamaica and the Cayman Islands.

“I feel elated – bereft of words to say how happy I am,” an emotional Porteous told the thousands of students and well-wishers gathered in the school’s auditorium. “Not in my biggest dreams would I have thought I would be here for that long. The years have come with disappointments but I have no regrets.

“Through it all, I have been strong by Galatians 6:19, which says if we are not weary in well-doing then we will reap (success),” said Porteous.

He highlighted the differences between the school then and now.

He said that in 1963 when he went to Clarendon College, there were just over 600 students, compared to almost 1,700, and he advised students to put their trust in God and work hard to achieve their goals.