THE halls of Jessie Ripoll Primary School should have been filled with children excited to hug their principal’s legs as usual on Monday. Instead, when the Jamaica Observer arrived at the South Camp Road campus in Kingston it was to find teachers and administrative staff with tears in their eyes, expressing shock and deep sadness over the death of their leader O’Neil Stevens.

“The entire school population is now in disbelief. There isn’t a soul that is not affected by this. We’re not looking forward to the days ahead, because he will be missed,” said grade five teacher Wilfred Wright.

The well-loved principal was heading back to Jamaica to get ready for the reopening of school when he and his wife were mowed down by a speeding motor vehicle in the United States on Friday.

“One would say possibly his journey back would probably be to be here yesterday, to make sure that things are in order and ready for Monday morning,” Wright said amid the sombre atmosphere at the school.

Some teachers consoled each other while others dabbed their tear-filled eyes.

“I think a lot of persons are still in shock now. Even though we know that it’s true, I think we don’t want to accept that it’s actually true,” said Devina Graham, a grade six teacher.

“Today is, hands down, probably the worst first day, ever… he would be here today telling us about his holiday and what he did… He would just be walking out and the children would just be running to him, those who can’t reach up, hugging him from his legs down,” Graham shared.

Dozens of educators, ancillary staff, teachers, and principals from neighbouring schools were joined by officials of the Ministry of Education early Monday morning for a grief counselling session.

Throughout the morning they all spoke with respect for Stevens, a Lasco Principal of the Year nominee for 2023/24. He was also a contender for the 2024/25 Lasco award.

Stevens was also lauded for the school’s achievements over the seven years he filled the role as principal, including constantly scoring in the top percentile for the Primary Exit Profile (PEP), facelifts to the plant, his nominations for principal of the year, and the general welcoming work environment.

Former education minister and coordinator of Catholic education in Jamaica Deacon Ronald Thwaites described Stevens as one of the most promising educators in the island.

“This man had far to go. He was a very engaging and popular principal,” Thwaites told the
Observer.

The teachers who served under Stevens repeatedly described him as passionate and driven, with an open-door policy for all.

“There is no conversation that you could not have with him… conversations [with] students, from grades one to six. He was one who pretty much lent himself to the call of service. Sometimes, during the week, at eight o’clock in the evening he’d still be here, dedicated to work and the task at hand,” said one teacher who did not give her name.

As for his relationship with the students, members of staff explained that he was a hands-on leader and could be found on many occasions playing football with the young boys.

“Normally, you’d probably think that as a principal he would tell them to stop playing or take the ball away. No, he would be in the midst playing football with them,” Graham said with a smile.

“I would just imagine him being here today and they would just be crowding him with hugs, saying ‘Hi, Sir, hi, Sir’. He was loved by them and he loved them too,” added Graham, her grief evident.

She said the anniversary of Stevens’ birth in February will be a bitter pill to swallow for the school family.

The principal’s wife, Camesha, was also spoken about highly by staff members and representatives of the parent-teacher association (PTA) who described her as a dedicated parent and wife.

“She was the assistant class rep. She was that person who would be at our PEP breakfast, feeding the kids grades 4, 5, and 6 during PEP days,” said PTA President Nicole Ann Bromfield.

“It hit us as a parent body, as a school body, as a community really hard, because if you know anything about Mr Stevens, you know he and his wife are a team. I can say, based on my experience with her, she was a very supportive and very thoughtful person. When I take the children to festivals she would be there to help in any way that she can,” Bromfield added as she pointed out how the principal’s wife would be screaming and cheering as the children performed.

The couple had two children and the Observer was told that they are safe and staying with their maternal grandmother.

“I spoke with his mother-in-law yesterday and they are fine; they are doing well. Support is being offered, in prayer and everything possible. [She is] a strong woman. She is so impressed at the gains her daughter made. Just to see the posts on social media, those things are heartening her and strengthening her,” said Camille Patterson, a former teacher.

Today will mark the start of a new term at the school after it was delayed by one day because of the deaths of the principal and his wife.