Respected former principal of Carron Hall High in St Mary has died
ST MARY, Jamaica – Retired educator and former principal of the Carron Hall High School in western St Mary, Dottlyn Norma Dawes has died.
The announcement was made by current principal of the school, Carlinton Johnson, on his Facebook page on Tuesday. Dawes died on January 3, 2026 after ailing for some time.
She dedicated over 36 years of service to the St Mary-based institution from 1977 to 2013.
“We pay tribute to the late Ms Dottlyn Norma Dawes, whose leadership shaped generations at the Carron Hall High School. Your legacy lives on. Died on January 3, 2026,” Johnson wrote above a school flyer playing tribute to the retired educator.
Dawes served as principal between 1995 and 2013, according to the flyer.
During her tenure, the former all-girls’ institution – then dubbed Carron Hall Vocational School –transitioned into a co-educational facility.
In addition, she was named among the finalists for the Lasco/Jamaica Teachers’ Association Teacher of the Year Award for 2002.
Outside of education, Dawes served as a justice of the peace (JP) in St Mary.
There has been an outpouring of tributes to the late educator and condolences to her family in the wake of her death.
“Condolences to her (Dawes’) family and friends. Beautiful lady she did so much to shape her students. She will be fondly remembered by all. She was one of LASCO Teachers of the Year [finalists]. May her soul RIP,” one woman wrote
Another Facebook user said: “My deepest condolences to her (Dawes’) family. She was my principal at Carron Hall Vocational [School] and then became my colleague yrs later at that very same institution. May her lovely soul rest in peace.”
Another user commended Dawes for believing in her abilities from a very young age.
“My deepest condolences on the passing of our former principal. She (Dawes) believed in me from a very young age and encouraged me to aim high,” the woman wrote on Facebook. “Her words and guidance stayed with me throughout high school and beyond. Today, we remember her with gratitude, smiles, and shared memories. May her soul rest in eternal peace.”
