AFTER spending 10 years at the helm of St Mary High School, Jullet Frazer-Saddar has described walking away from the 64-year-old institution as one of the hardest things she has ever had to do in her 36 years as an educator.

Frazer-Saddar became principal of the school in 2014, after the retirement of Colonel Errol Johnson.

She said then that becoming principal of the noble institution was a lifetime goal, and vowed to carry the school into the 21st century with dignity and pride where it would stand among the best and produce the best students — not only academically but rounded individuals who are the best and greatest in whatever they desire to achieve.

The educator — who came from a humble background in Bonny Gate, St Mary, where many times her only means of transportation was her feet or her grandmother’s donkey Marble — attended Hunt’s Town Basic School and Mt Angus All Age School before moving on to the all-girl Marymount High School. There Frazer Saddar immersed herself in books and used these as a gateway to see the world without leaving her small space.

After high school, not knowing what to do because of her financial situation, she opted for teacher training which was free at the time as the Government pushed to increase the number of trained teachers in the island.

“I was young and could not afford to go elsewhere. I became a teacher in training at the Shortwood Teachers’ College where I learnt so much about myself and how to become a good teacher. I decided to spend two years teaching. Two years became 36 years,” the outgoing principal said.

Having a passion for learning and teaching, Frazer-Sadaar sees herself as an agent for change and uses Whitney Houston’s song, Greatest Love of All, which begins with the lines: “I believe the children are our future; teach them well and let them lead the way,” as a powerful message.

According to Frazer-Sadaar, her passion for teaching was fuelled by a desire to make a positive difference in the lives of the students, staff, community, and the country.

She further emphasised that one of her major objectives as principal was to transform the school’s environment into a more student-friendly and environmentally stimulating one.

“This mission, I believe, has been largely accomplished even though there is still room for improvement,” added Frazer-Sadaar.

She noted that her tenure was not always smooth sailing, with disappointments coming from some major stakeholders including parents who displayed negative social norms, weak parenting, and easy acceptance of mediocrity.

“All parents are invited to orientation. I attend all grade devotions and staff meetings where I would emphasise and encourage that, in their class devotions, [the teachers] should practise what they say by making an effort to touch one life positively each day by refraining from saying negative words,” said Frazer-Sadaar.

As an educator it pains her heart to see the breakdown of parenting skills, which she said contributes to the breakdown of social skills as too many children are passed on to grandparents or have adopted the title of barrel pickney, as this then spills over into the schools.

“At St Mary’s High we encourage students— no matter the background, academic achievements — to raise the bar from good to exceptional, to find their strengths, whether in academics or co-curricular activities. Mediocrity is not accepted as every student knows that they can excel in different ways; every student knows they are valued at St Mary High,” Frazer-Sadaar said as she pointed out that to see the students excelling in various disciplines makes her proud.

“It is difficult to identify a most rewarding moment but what stands out is 2018 when [the] grade seven classes achieved 70 per cent and above averages, and similar teachers achieved the same.

“The school band brought home the trophy for Jamaica’s Best School Band in 2023 after entering the competition as first timers. [They were also] eastern champions for the eighth time, and [produced] excellent performances in athletics and other sporting activities such as table tennis…, and [are known for] having one of the best cadet corps in the parish,” added Frazer-Sadaar as she listed some of the achievements of the school during her tenure.

“Trophies and medals that are attained each year creates a humbling but rewarding experience. Each time I feel that our medal and trophy haul must be finished, there is always more,” said the outgoing principal with pride.

Stating that her journey was not easy, Frazer-Sadaar praised her stakeholders, including committed parents and teachers who worked hard to raise the bar, and the dedicated past students who remained involved in the wider scope of the school.

“Our past students came on board with resources to realise dreams, and some have also given of their time as motivators, board members, volunteers, to name a few,” said Frazer-Sadaar.

Highlighting the multimedia room which was destroyed by fire in 2018, Frazer-Sadaar praised the efforts of Drs Lisa and Peter Walker who partnered with other past students, Governor General Sir Patrick Allen, and Friends of Highgate who provided logistics solutions and more than 100 computers for the ICT department, which she said is now fully resourced to meet the 21st century teaching and learning environment.

“Having a strong past student support that provides scholarships each year for students contributes to the various extra-curricular activities. One past student, Dr Morais Guy, donated track shoes annually to our team, along with other past students. Currently, a year group has contributed annually to their special projects, one of which now is the physics lab,” said Frazer-Sadaar.

The outgoing principal said her legacy is inspiring her staff to create an environment of accountability, which encourages a high level of performance.

”We have created a gentler environment of respect, with greater awareness of positive values and attitudes. I encouraged the staff to dream the impossible dream by partnering with stakeholders in the raising of the bar from good to exceptional,” declared Frazer-Sadaar.