‘Irreplaceable’

A week before Yvette Samuels was hospitalised for breast cancer, she was at school ensuring that her students were adequately prepared for the upcoming Primary Exit Profile examinations.

On Wednesday, the first day of the exams, Samuels, who has headed the institution for the past seven years, passed away.

Students, teachers and parents gathered at the Alpha Primary School in Kingston yesterday to officially mourn the woman they hailed as a visionary leader, who held the admiration of colleagues and love of her students.

“It’s painful, it hurts, and some of us may even be angry, and that’s okay,” board member Father Kingsley Asphall said as he sought to bring comfort to the students, some of whom had broken down in tears and were being comforted by teachers and parents.

“It is normal to feel sad, it is normal to feel upset about the loss of our principal,” he added.

Samuels taught at the institution for about 15 years before assuming the role of principal.

Eloquent speaker and motivator

According to senior education officer Gail Williams Lewis, who described the late principal as an eloquent speaker and motivator, her dedication to serving the school was one which ought to be emulated.

“We lost a very good educator and she has given much to service, even through her illness, she was here serving the Alpha family,” she said.

Charles Arumaiselvam, development manager for Sisters of Mercy, Jamaica, which founded the Alpha Primary School, recalled how the mother of two would normally greet people by adding “beautiful”, instead of “good” to the time of day, a testament to her good-natured spirit.

“She always knew how to connect with you, and how to provide,” he said.

He also lauded her ability to focus on the bigger picture while making sure her students felt prioritised.

“She had a vision, but also she was very much attuned with everything that happened every single day. She was in pain but she still came to her office because she wanted to make sure that preparations go according to plan. She was in pain but she still showed up here because you are in fact her life.”

Stating that she died “on duty”, Arumaiselvam extended his sympathy to her relatives, while applauding her passion.

“We truly salute her, that privilege she had working for the institute until her last breath, serving the community, serving the institution making sure you all get very well educated,” he said. “Yvette Samuels will be irreplaceable.”

Meanwhile, Sherine Webley, public relations officer for the school’s Parent Teacher’s Association, praised Samuel’s willingness to collaborate for the benefit of the school and its students.

“She was always willing to assist us in one way or another. How many parents can testify of her willingness to render that assistance by offering our child or children a space here at Alpha Primary school, when all other schools would not even give us that chance,” she said.

Vice principal of the institution, Okelo Francis, echoed similar sentiments.

“We have had the privilege of witnessing first hand her unwavering dedication, boundless passion and profound commitment to excellence. Her leadership was not just about managing the day-to-day operations of our school, but about inspiring and encouraging each member of our team to strive for greatness,” he said.

sashana.small@gleanerjm.com