MONTEGO BAY, St James — For outgoing principal of St James High School Joseph Williams, the fact that there were no murders of any of his charges during his more than two decades at the helm of the once-violence-plagued school is a major achievement.

“The school motto, it says ‘Towards better living.’ It’s better living we want in Jamaica, and 22 years I am at St James High, no student has been… murdered at St James High School. To God be the glory,” Williams said during the school’s graduation ceremony on Wednesday.

Held inside one of the auditoriums at King’s Chapel in Mount Salem, the graduation was billed as the firebrand Williams’ last address to the school community before he goes off on pre-retirement leave. He will officially retire next year.

“There is better living, whereby you must not fight one another, you must fight for each other — and that must go into the society,” he told graduates.

Ahead of Williams’ appointment as principal in 2004 the school was known for student-on-student violence, but that has been significantly reduced over the years. He wants to see a continuation of the gains he has made.

“It’s going to be more serious going forward whereby we are looking at the grade 10 [students] who are not doing six or more subjects and are idling. Because next year, while I am graduating with you, next year I am going to retire with the next batch so you better make the word go to the grade 10 now — and my daughter is in there — that… all of you must be qualified for graduation at the school,” he warned.

Those gathered were told Williams’ accomplishments during his tenure included the school’s improved performance in education and sports, along with an expansion of the plant as its reputation and enrolment numbers grew.

Fire-brand principal of St James High School, Joseph Williams speaking during the school’s graduation ceremony on Wednesday. He is now on pre-retirement leave and will officially retire next year.

St James High School is now ranked fourth in Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) passes in Region Four among high schools — a long way from its past performances. However, Williams’ tenure was also marked by controversy which attracted national attention.

He was involved in a long-running feud with school Board Chairman Christopher McCurdy, who was absent from Wednesday’s graduation ceremony. There were heated verbal exchanges between the men which eventually required intervention from the Ministry of Education.

Williams also faced criticism from parents and former board members after allegations that students were expelled without due process. Some staff members have complained that Williams has an authoritarian management style while others painted him as a leader who had little time for anyone not within his inner circle.

None of these matters were addressed during the ceremony which largely focused on less controversial issues. However, Williams reflected on one incident from the early days of his tenure that illustrates his approach to leadership.

“When I came there I saw we have over 2,400 students and [a] private man running the tuck [shop] and going away with the profit. I said no,” he said.

“I came April 1, All Fools Day, and I said, ‘No longer will anybody take St James High people for fools.’ They got notice, and by June I saw them moving out with the container. Them send me some big envelope from one lawyer and I said, ‘What this envelope for?’ And I just throw it in the waste basket. After them nuh have no contract! And we take over the tuck shop and we buy a brand new bus,” he boasted.

Outgoing principal of St James High School, Joseph Williams (centre) accepts a plaque from several of his fellow high school principals in St James. Sharing the moment are, from left, principal of Montego Bay High School for Girls, Gairy Powell; principal of Cambridge High School, Harry Hanson; principal of Maldon High, Janet Manning; principal of Anchovy High, Dr Lavern Stewart; retired vice-principal of St James High School, Yvonne Panther-Rowl; and principal of Green Pond High, Oraine Ebanks.

The vehicle, Williams said, was used to transport students to games for the 2008 daCosta Cup schoolboy football competition and the Ben Francis Cup, both of which they won.

During Wednesday’s ceremony Williams was lauded for his work at St James High School, with gestures including students’ presentation of 22 long-stemmed roses along with gifts from staff and well-wishers. Among his admirers was the Coalition of Principals in St James which applauded him for his role in transforming the school.

In his trademark frank style Williams offered the graduating class a few final words of advice.

“Going forward, graduates, let me tell you this plain. It’s for you here and those who did not make it to march up: None of you — I’m giving you a serious charge — none of you ought to become a teenage parent, none of you!” he declared.

“After you buckle down and study, you need a little time for yourself to sport, because I don’t want you to get cross and abuse your babies when you can’t find it,” Williams added.

He also urged them to avoid a life of crime.

“I don’t want to see any of you name or picture in any newspaper that you were ‘unalive’ by police. Your motto requires of you that you move towards better living,” he urged.