Green Park Primary, family grieve sudden passing of VP

PRINCIPAL OF Green Park Primary School in Sandy Bay, Clarendon, Michael Jackson, said he was flung into a tailspin upon hearing wails and cries echoing from the staff- room on Monday. Jackson told The Gleaner that when he went to investigate the matter, he was told that the school's beloved vice principal (VP), Audrienne Hayles-Edwards, had died.

Citing shock and disbelief, Jackson said he set out to unearth the facts, and has been in disbelief since.

Hayles-Edwards, who was 52, was reportedly found unresponsive at her home on Monday morning. She was taken to hospital where she was pronounced dead on arrival.

Information surrounding the possible cause of her death has not been disclosed.

The beloved VP was reportedly out on sick leave. Jackson, who spoke with The Gleaner yesterday, said he was not expecting her at school, as she had sent him a message to say she needed a few more days.

“I said to her, 'Okay, please get some rest', and she said, 'Okay, I will rest',” Jackson recalled.

Hayles-Edwards had been working at the school since 1992. She had served in the capacities of teacher, senior teacher, VPl and acting principal. She became VP in 2013.

Jackson said that she had left an indelible mark on her students, and on everyone with whom she interacted. He said that her pleasant demeanour made her well loved, and as such the school is having a hard time coming to terms with her sudden passing.

“She was a kind and loving person. She was a dedicated teacher who was loved by her students,” said Jackson, adding that his team is encouraged by the support from other schools and stakeholders across the parish.

Hayles-Edwards was the wife of Howard Edwards, who is also one of the VPs at Glenmuir High School in the parish. Her brother, Denavon Hayles, is the other VPl.

LAST INTERACTION

Rhoan Parkins, a family friend and Howard Edwards' colleague, told The Gleaner that his last interaction with the late educator surrounded plans to do a documentary for a fellow church member who had recently passed. He rued over the fact that Hayles-Edwards did not see the project's fruition.

“I knew her from childhood days. She was always jovial, encouraging, resilient, and pretty strong in her faith. She was a genuine person ... no fake,” Parkins said of Hayles-Edwards.

Parkins said Hayles-Edwards' husband is “leaning on his faith in God”, and her two adult children are also being strengthened.

“I think one thing that probably made a difference is that they had an opportunity to be with her during the period that she was down, and they had great interactions,” said Parkins, asserting that the family is holding dearly to precious memories.

Barrington Richardson, regional director of region seven within the Ministry of Education and Youth, described Hayles-Edwards as a stellar educator, who had served the sector for some 32 years, having ventured into teaching in 1991.

“As a region, we have lost an outstanding educator who was committed to the cause of education and nation building. She was passionate about teaching and learning, she believed in her students and was transformational in her approach to leadership,” said Richardson.

Richardson shared that the regional trauma team visited the school on Monday and provided grief counselling to students and staff.

olivia.brown@gleanerjm.com