Thank you for sitting for this interview, Reverend Hutchinson. Let’s begin with you stating for the record who you are. Give us the cold, hard facts first.

My name is Seymour George Hutchinson, and I have lived in Highgate, St. Mary all my life. I was the first of seven children born to Horace and Cordella Hutchinson—two boys and five girls. I attended Highgate Infant school, and then Highgate Elementary School, where I sat and was successful in the First, Second, and Third Jamaica Local Exams. While at Highgate Elementary School, a group of us also sat and were successful in the GCE English and Mathematics exams.

That’s a sizeable family, though not overly large for that time. What would you say were your parents’ legacy to you and your siblings?

If I had to sum it up, I would say they instilled in us the values of a sound education, perseverance, hard work, and respect for all.

What is your official title as it relates to St. Cyprian’s?

I am the current Chairman of the Board of Governors

You didn’t mention Reverend as one of your names earlier when you gave us the cold, hard facts; please tell us how you came to be known as Reverend Hutchinson?

Yes, there is a good story behind my becoming Reverend Hutchinson. I was recommended by Rev. Justin Nembhard to the Supplementary Programme of the Diocese of Jamaica & the Cayman Islands (Anglican). Under that program, candidates, like myself, would complete a course of study, following which we could continue in our secular vocation, in addition to performing the duties of a priest attached to their home church. In my case, I continued to serve in education and also performed the duties of a priest at the St. Cyprian’s Anglican Church, which was my home church. I was ordained to the Diaconate on November 1, 1987, and to the Office of a Priest on January 26, 1992.

Did you have any relationships with any students or teachers from St. Cyp’s over the years prior to your professional relationship with the School?

Oh yes, prior to my professional relationship with St. Cyp’s I had good relationships with Rev. and Mrs. Clive Abdullah, Mrs. Saunders, Mrs. Pearl Morris, Miss Gwen Goffe, and Mrs. D. Haddad. Those friendships were the beginnings of my commitment to the school.

Where did you further your studies after high school?

I went on to study at Mico College, now “The Mico University College”, where I was trained as a teacher. Subsequent to that, I supplemented my teacher training with a Diploma in Education from the University of the West Indies. My last formal qualification was the successful completion of a course in Financial Studies from the Management Institute for National Development (MIND).

What was your career path like after further studies? What were the reasons for your career choices?

Before pursuing studies in teacher training at Mico College, I taught at Long Road Primary as a Pre-Trained Teacher from 1964-1965. I then spent a total of 22 years teaching at St. Mary High school (from1968 to 1991), where I served in various capacities, including Head of the Industrial Technology Department, Sports Master, Form Teacher, Grade Supervisor, Scout Master, and as a member of the Disciplinary Committee. I have also taken on the roles of Chairman of the Highgate Branch Library, Scout Commissioner for St. Mary, Youth Club Leader, Justice of the Peace, Chaplain, and Counsellor. I think that my passion to help develop and guide our youth has been the connecting thread in the various roles of teaching, scouting, involvement in the youth club, and counseling.

A man of many talents and wearing many caps, I see. When did your professional association with St. Cyprian’s begin?

My professional association with the school began in 2006 as the Grade 5 class teacher. A year later, I was elevated to the position of Principal, and I remained in that role until 2017.

How does chairing the Board at St. Cyprian’s compare and contrast with your previous assignments?

It’s very challenging, as you would imagine. However, I am able to draw on my own history with St. Cyprian’s and with that, my ability to appreciate the different viewpoints of parents, staff, and students (past and present). My strategy is to always look ahead to the future and learn as much as I can from each new assignment. In my role as chairman of the board, I intend to use my new learnings to positively contribute to the future success of St. Cyprian’s.

So, we know that St. Cyprian’s is an Anglican school. What does that mean in practical terms?

In practical terms, this means that each child is given the gift of unconditional love and acceptance. As a school, we fulfill as best we can their need to feel valued and important; their need for responsibility and belonging. The culture of the school is one that invites children to speak up, participate, and express themselves without fear. We place a premium on developing relationships of trust and respect with each other as staff and with our students. And of course, there’s discipline, which makes for order and a safe environment. In short, we offer them an environment where they can develop their potential. As for their faith, St. Cyprian’s is a space where they can practice and explore their faith freely and where they can pray and be prayed for.

Tell us about your students at St. Cyp’s

Well, our students are not only taught the academic disciplines; they are engaged in developing life skills. By that I mean they learn to develop good work habits and functional, real-world skills like communication and time management, social and civic responsibilities, and extra-curricular activities. There is a good football, netball, and cricket program. Then we have a 4H club, Festival of Arts, as well as Brownies, and a Cub Scout troop. I am proud to say that we were once the All Island Independent Schools Netball Champion. The year escapes me right now, but I’m sure one of our past students can remind us. (Interviewer’s note: if anyone remembers, please contact us at Feedback@StCypriansFoundation.org)

Tell us about your teachers and fellow Board members.

I enjoy a very good working relationship with the teachers and my fellow board members. Our teachers are dedicated, giving of their time, talent, and resources for the well-being of the children entrusted to their care. This ties in with my response to your earlier question about what it means in practical terms for St. Cyp’s to be an Anglican school. I had mentioned that the children are given unconditional love. Our teachers perform with love and for the love of the children. And that makes all the difference.

What about the staff behind the scenes?

Staff who work behind the scenes are fully engaged in the life of the School. They play a critical part in maintaining the school grounds, cooking for the children, and providing the ancillary services that the teachers would not be able to provide. They also enhance the nurturing environment at the school, and the children love, respect, and embrace them as an integral part of our school family.

How do you see the future of the School?

The future of the school is tied to the quality of the programs and activities that we are able to offer. It’s as simple as that. If we are able to expand our curriculum to provide high-quality programs and activities that could prepare our students for life as well-rounded individuals, this would set St. Cyp’s on a trajectory towards a successful and sustainable future.

What are the primary challenges facing the School and the three main things needed in your view to secure the School’s continued existence and development?

The primary challenge facing the school is adequate financing. We also need to expand physically with additional buildings, including a science and technology block and an auditorium.

As for the School’s continued existence and development, we need more predictability in the collection of school fees. Timely payment of fees is critical to our ability to plan properly and provide all the services we promise and that our children need. Of course, in addition to regularity in collecting fees, it would be great to have a more vibrant curriculum and extracurricular program and a more aesthetically pleasing physical environment.

What is your dream for St. Cyprian’s in one sentence?

That it would become a more vibrant, purpose-driven educational institution.

That came readily. It suggests you’ve thought a lot about this. Surely there must be a go-to motto or quotation or verse too that is a guiding force in your life.

That’s easy: My enduring and abiding faith in God sustains me, and I do believe “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).

I wanted to turn now to the community of Highgate. I would like to hear your take on the relationship between St. Cyprian’s and Highgate—and indeed St. Mary.

Some members of the Highgate community (concerned individuals and people in business) and indeed the Parish of St. Mary have always stood ready to offer some amount of help, guidance, and support when called upon. However, a great deal more could be achieved with sustained support.

Any final words or advice you’d like to leave us with?

Well, I guess I would just stress the importance of teamwork. There is a synergy that comes from teamwork, and we need all hands on deck: students, teachers, parents/guardians, ancillary staff, the board of governors, and the wider community. There has to be a willingness to work with passion, commitment, and unified vision on the tasks that have been entrusted to us. We need to have a team mindset where we will either sink or swim together. I mentioned earlier that I always look to the future, so with that future focus, I hope that Team St. Cyprian’s will ‘swim’ together, in the same direction – for the benefit of the school.

Thank you very much for your time, Reverend Hutchinson. It’s been a pleasure talking to you. The SCDF looks forward to working with you to realize our common dreams for St. Cyp’s.