New principal of St Richard's Primary School in St Andrew, Maria Mutidjo (right), with board chairman of the institution Margaret Campbell, at the end of worship at St Richard's of Chichester Roman Catholic Church on Red Hills Road, St Andrew, last Tuesday. Mutidjo is the first graduate of the school to become principal. She last worked at Convent of Mercy Academy "Alpha" as a senior teacher of English.

During the service, led by Rev Father Walter Dorsey, a Houston, Texas-born priest who has spent the last 41 years living in Jamaica, the new principal was specially blessed by the holy man, and was urged by family and friends to do her best in continuing the rich tradition of learning that has characterised the school's history.

Students and members of the academic staff were in attendance.

Mutidjo writes regularly in Jamaican newspapers, mainly on issues centred on education. In recent years, she has commented on the contentious grooming/dress policy in schools, police records for teachers, textbooks in schools, and education ministry policies, among other issues.

She has served as secretary of the Japan Exchange and Teaching Programme Alumni Association of Jamaica; is an acclaimed cantor and is known to be a gifted emcee at functions.

Campbell, who has been principal of St George's College since 2006, was the Lasco Principal of the Year in 2018.