Byron Bachelor coordinated a special presentation to Principal Myrie at this year’s prize-giving held at the Jamaica Conference Center in Kingston.
This was no easy feat as the principal had previously warned that anyone adding to the already long program without permission would be fired.
Well, no one was fired and it turned out to be the most powerful moment of the entire ceremony when a group of students gathered on stage to present the principal with a large portrait of himself on behalf of the students and staff. It was a touching scene as the audience witnessed the emotional connection between the principal and his students.
The principal also received a gift from the RuJohn Foundation as well as an award for his services to Kingston College.
Below is the text of Byron’s speech. During the presentation Byron was joined on stage by his wife, Ingrid, who read part of the proclamation.
As a student at KC in the 70’s, I’ve had Mr. Carlton Bruce at Melbourne Park, Reverend Don Taylor and Reverend John McNabb while at Clovelly Park, who were all considered to be good principals. However, I also met Mr. Douglas Forrest, a former principal who out of the love and compassion he had for the students at school, would spend his retirement regularly visiting the classrooms to enlighten us. It was amazing to watch the charismatic personality he had and the wealth of knowledge he imparted to the student body.
I am finally seeing a parallel comparison of a similar principal in Mr. Dave Myrie, who is also firm, eloquent and elegant. I’ve had the opportunity to interact with him outside the school settings and see first-hand the courteous manner in which he treats his wife and daughter.
The RuJohn Foundation created a fantastic working atmosphere with Mr. Myrie. He has travelled to Montego Bay on numerous occasions to receive awards and funding from the foundation for KC to ensure his students are benefiting. He is always looking out for opportunities for his students and goes the extra mile to make sure they are OK. He has carved out openings for students where many of the other competing High schools would have simply closed their doors to them.
He is fair in his hiring techniques and his shrewd business acumen enables him to get the best staff for KC. Recently, he hired one of our very own RuJohn Foundation scholars and gave her the opportunity of a lifetime to be a part of this terrific teaching staff. After all, some of the wonderful characteristics of a great principal are to hire, develop and retain excellent staff and teachers.
Mr. Myrie is a leader of towering character and integrity and is well loved by his staff and students. His multifaceted approach to education is of paramount importance to the success of the school.
Through his leadership several students in the 6th form was encouraged and reminded to apply and received RuJohn Scholarship which paid for them to attend university. Many stories have been told of students in need of lunch money etc. but rather than wait for someone to come to their assistance, he would personally meet the students need and give them money for lunch. These are all examples of compassion seen in the current leader of KC
Mr. Myrie, we laud you for your efforts and all that you do for us.