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| ST CATHERINE HIGH PAST PRINCIPALS
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Ms. Magdalene Naomi Anderson
Her mother wanted her to be a nurse, but with the singleness of purpose
that has characterized her life, and the strength of her determination,
Magdalene Naomi Anderson decided that she wanted to be a teacher and
even after her retirement she continued to teach.
Her academic qualification is superior to that of many managers and
private sector leaders of our country but she never swayed in her
determination to fulfill that lifelong ambition set in childhood. The
financial gains were few, but the rewards that only come from a job well
done and loved, would make her eyes shine with pride when she would say:
"I have no regrets."
Influenced by her early teachers, perhaps more importantly, by her
greatest role model, her sister, the late Agnes Brown, young Madge
Anderson set out on the academic journey to qualify to teach the
nation's young: a journey that would take her across the seas to both
Canada and the United States of America. From Shortwood Teachers'
College, she traveled to Queens and Toronto Universities in Canada where
she pursued a first degree in mathematics and Spanish at the former,
followed closely by a Masters in Education at the latter. While in
Canada, she worked in the library to assist with her expenses. She then
went on to Connecticut State, USA for her Masters in Science. There she
signed up as a substitute teacher: and experience that provided valuable
insight into the machinations of that country's educational system. In
here later years as an administrator, she would draw on these
experiences to develop her skills.
Upon her return to Jamaica, Ms. Anderson taught for two years at Oberlin
High School an then it was off to our dear St. Catherine High School
where she remained until her retirement in 1987. From a Math and
Spanish teacher, she moved up the ranks to Vice-Principal and then
became the first non Catholic to head the school. There were many who
felt that a non-Catholic should never receive such an appointment, but
Ms. Anderson will tell you that "God's will is many times not the will
of man."
Sister Mary Paschal, R.S.M., upon her retirement from St. Catherine High
School, felt comfortable leaving Ms. Anderson in charge. In her own
words she said, "I felt Ms. Anderson was quite capable of running the
school." During her tenure, the external examination results improved,
St. Catherine High School gained prominence in the academics as well as
athletics. The Schools' Challenge team excelled the Rugby team won the
National Championship. The school also entered Volleyball competition
for the first time during her administration. Her Strong Christian
principles and firm belief in God helped her to maintain a high level of
discipline in the school through the most difficult period of the
1980's. She had a passion for beauty and spared no expanse in
maintaining the school. Windows were replaced, buildings were
repainted, trees were planted and the grounds were impeccable kept.
Madge Anderson, was undeniable a dynamic leader who served with
distinction and integrity. One can hardly think of St. Catherine High
School and not think of Ms. Anderson, she was ever present and concerned
about her students, parents and teachers welfare. Upon retirement she
left behind a legacy of pride, discipline and achievements.
What made Ms. Anderson, the person she was? It is not a mystery and she
has never retracted from making it widely know, her determination to
please God for as long as she lives. At the age of ten, young Madge
Anderson, mad a pact with God. Her mother promised to give her a
spanking when she returned from church for something she really was not
guilty of, she told God that if he took her to church and back that
Sunday without her receiving that beating, she would serve him for the
rest of her life. God granted her wish and she kept her promise.
Of course a profile of Ms. Anderson would not be complete if it did not
include one of the things she was most famous (infamous) for "CLAP,
CLAP, you boy over there, you girl over there, yes you! Don't you have a
class now!!?" or "Andy a come!!"
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