Interview with Mrs. Marjorie Tracey, Principal of St. Cyprian’s Preparatory School
Interview with Mrs. Marjorie Tracey, Principal of St. Cyprian’s Preparatory School
Tell us your full name (including your maiden name, because we’re going way back today). 🙂 Did you have a nickname you care to share?
My full name is Marjorie Ann Tracey. There’s no nickname.
Where have you lived in your lifetime?
I’ve spent all of my life in Highgate, St. Mary.
Tell us a bit about your family.
My mother, father and sister are deceased. I’m married; I have two daughters and they have given me three precious grandchildren.
Do you practice a religion or faith?
Yes, I’m a Christian; I’m a member of the St. Cyprian’s Anglican church.
Was that your earliest memory of St. Cyprian’s?
Yes, my earliest memory of St. Cyprian’s is from being a member of the St. Cyprian’s Anglican Church in Highgate and being aware of St. Cyprian’s Prep from its inception.
Did you have any relationships with any students or teachers from St. Cyp’s?
Yes, I have a lot of relationships with several friends and family members from St. Cyp’s – both my daughters, a niece, a nephew, and my grandchildren attended St. Cyp’s, and I served as a member of the PTA Executive during their time at the school.
Where did you go to school?
I attended Highgate Primary School.
Did you further your studies after high school?
Yes, after high school, I went on to Shortwood Teacher’s College in Kingston. After completing my studies there, the next post-secondary institution I attended was Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, North Carolina, USA, where I did a bachelor of science degree in education and administration, and then I attend the Mount St. Vincent University, in Nova Scotia, Canada, where I did a diploma in school leadership. Mt. St. Vincent University’s motto, Veritas ad Deum ducit, means “Truth leads to God.”
What was your career path like after further studies and what were the reasons for your career choices?
After further studies, I returned to the classroom. Back when there was National Youth Service (NYS), I taught at Martin’s Primary School for two years. After that experience, I went to Shortwood Teachers College to become a trained teacher, and my career path never wandered from the classroom, because of my love for children and my passion for teaching.
So, after all that experience, how and when did your professional association with St. Cyprian’s begin?
My professional association with St. Cyprian’s began when I served on the board of management for two years, prior to becoming the principal in March 2017.
Did you find it to be the same St. Cyprian’s you thought you knew?
St. Cyprian’s has undergone a lot of change. Morale is not high, and the behavior of most of the parents, guardians, and students reflects this; however, there are still a faithful few whom we can always depend on for support.
Having had to come to terms with that, tell us how teaching at St. Cyprian’s compares and contrasts with your previous assignments.
In my previous assignments, I experienced more appreciation, and my relationships with parents, guardians, and students were more family-oriented. I have not yet experienced those types of relationships at St. Cyprian’s.
What has your life at St. Cyprian’s been like? High points, low points? Any milestones (student achievements, awards, projects, etc.)?
Let me begin with the high points and milestones. A high point would be a visit that was organized by the then Minister of Education, Ruel Reid, to meet and make a presentation to a student who was being accommodated by the Ministry of Education to sit her G.S.A.T. at the Annotto Bay Hospital.
A low point is the general lack of support and participation of parents/guardians during special celebration events such as fun days, career days, heritage fest, sports day, and so on. I wish parents/guardians knew how much their support would positively impact and encourage the students and teachers on these occasions.
Tell us about your students at St. Cyp’s
I have much to say about my students, and it’s all good! (smile). My students are loving and friendly. They motivate me to keep on going and give of my best each day. They show appreciation when they receive encouragement, especially during our one-on-one conversations and during our principal/student-time rap sessions. They are truly the best and most rewarding part of my experience at St. Cyp’s.
Tell us about your teachers at St Cyp’s
This may sound like a repeat of what I said about my students, but I have the greatest group of teachers! They are wonderful to work with; they motivate me to keep on going and they give of their best in the most challenging situations. If we had greater support from parents/guardians, the working environment would improve immensely and our teachers would achieve even greater success.
What about the people working behind the scenes (ancillary staff)?
We have a very solid, supportive ancillary staff and they have a good working relationship with our students, other staff members and parents.
How do you see the future of the school?
In thinking of the future of St. Cyp’s, I would need to share my wish list. I would like to see, with the support of our committed past students, St. Cyp’s recapture its prestigious position in our community, our parish, and our country – Highgate, St. Mary, Jamaica. I believe that the support exists and that it is just waiting to be harnessed.
What are the main challenges facing the School now?
The main challenges facing the school now can be summed up into one main challenge – financial viability. We want to be able to offer competitive salaries to attract even more qualified staff and offer an expanded curriculum, which would include music and foreign languages. We would also love to offer a wider cross-section of extra-curricular activities. This could be possible if we are able to ‘tap’ into the talents/skills of others who have our interests at heart and want to see us flourish.
What are the three main things needed to secure the School’s continued existence and development?
Like the challenges, the three main things that are needed to secure the continued existence and development of St. Cyp’s are, first, financial support, and this is related to the second, which is curriculum development. As I mentioned before, financial support will allow us to expand the curriculum. The third would be human resources, where we could build and invest in our staff; this would strengthen our foundation as a sharing and caring school family.
What are the top three things on your wish list as a principal?
My wish list as a principal is not very long, and each item on the list is equally important, so there is no ranking involved. My first item would be to build back better (BBx. B), where, especially because of the pandemic, I would love for St. Cyps to emerge from it as a more resilient, financially stronger school, with systems in place that would help us to work smarter and use the technology that is available to us. The second thing on my list would be to see improvement in the physical configuration of our classrooms and staff facilities. This would include making the most of natural lighting and improving architectural features to make the spaces more attractive and practical. My third wish, which I mentioned earlier, is to have stronger and more committed parental involvement and support in all that we are doing at the school. This commitment is something that can happen now, and it could be the catalyst for the other two wishes to become a reality.
Do you have a motto or a favorite quote or Bible verse that is a guiding force in your daily life?
My motto is “forever giving thanks.” This is based on 1Thessalonians 5:18 in the Bible.
How do you see the relationship between St. Cyprian’s and Highgate—and indeed St. Mary?
I would say that over the past few years, the relationship between St. Cyprian’s and the wider St. Mary community has deteriorated. All is not lost, however, since we have allies who knew the St. Cyp’s of yesteryear and are willing to see it return to its place of honor in our neck of the woods.
What is your best piece of advice for other principals in these trying times?
My best advice to my colleague principals would be to have an open mind and be prepared to work with what you have to achieve the goal that you want to achieve, and as I just shared, I do so “forever giving thanks.” I can share this advice because it is something that I practice. Each day, I keep an open mind as I use what I have in hand (finances, human resources, physical resources) to take a step towards the goal(s) that I hope to achieve. Sometimes it’s a very small step, but what’s important is that it’s moving in the right direction.
I would imagine you have received help and support from key people and institutions over the years. Tell us a bit about those allies and how they have helped.
You are correct. We have received help and support from a number of key people and institutions. In fact, I can share a list with you, and again please note that there is no ranking in the level of support from the order of the names and institutions.
The managing director of CAMCORP Industrial, Mr. Richard Campbell, has provided sponsorship in the forms of medals and trophies for sports events and graduation and prize-giving ceremonies every year. He has also supported us with discounts when we purchase supplies and donated soap/sanitizer dispensers, which, as you know, were critical items during the pandemic.
Our member of parliament (MP), Dr. Norman Dunn, has contributed towards our Labour Day projects and a refurbishing project. He has also sponsored a trophy for our inter-house sports competition.
Mr. L. Richards of Acid Security has sponsored us by providing an industrial copier as well as a trophy for our events. We have also received contributions of paint, etc. for school projects.
Mr. Patrick Bryan of Gee Whiz Pastries has contributed cakes for Teacher’s Day, Sports Day and other important events at the school. He has also provided us with school supplies and sinks for handwashing, and again, the handwashing sinks were critical items during the pandemic.
We also received a laptop computer from Dr. Morais Guy. With the need to pivot quickly to an online learning environment due to the pandemic, the computer was another critical item for us.
Past students of St. Cyps have been generous in contributing school supplies, janitorial equipment, a bush whacker, and in providing financial assistance.
We have also received a personal financial contribution from Chris Zacca.
Construction Systems International, CSI, has contributed to the refurbishing of our bathrooms and classrooms.
We have had the contribution of personal protective equipment (PPE) from parents – masks, sanitizers, and cleaning supplies. Again, this was a critical contribution during the pandemic.
Bundah construction has contributed financial support and has also contributed to termite control at St. Cyps.
A number of key supporters – Leroy Walker, Joseph Reid, Dr. Dane Levy, Karen Tamasa, Gary Ross, and Vassell Bullock have also been there for us with financial support.
What is your best piece of advice for your students reading this today?
For every student, present and past, reading this today, my advice is that “Together, everyone achieves more.” So, consider this a call to arms, and let us rise up and rebuild St. Cyps.
Is there anything else you’d like to say that we haven’t touched on?
I would like to underscore my commitment in doing my part in the future rebuilding and upliftment of this noble institution, which is beloved by so many.
