Sian-Mahay Wilson, the first female principal of Calabar High School, has always considered herself a "Calabar girl", even during her days at Ardenne High. Her connection with the 112-year-old boys' school began in the 1980s through Key Club meetings and Champs. Despite joining the staff in 1995 with plans to stay only two years, Wilson’s passion for the school grew, leading to her historic appointment in 2024. She fondly recalls supporting Calabar at sporting events and is now dedicated to its holistic development, including restoring the long-defunct pool.

Calabar High gets first female principal in 112 years

Sian-mahay Wilson takes charge as first female principal in 112 years

Jamaica Gleaner/6 Sep 2024/Ainsworth Morris/staff Reporter

SIAN-MAHAY WILSON’S landmark appointment as the first female principal of the 112-year-old all-boys Calabar High School is the culmination of 29 years of hard work and dedication.

In September 1995, Wilson first stepped through the gates of the St Andrew-based school after freshly completing her bachelor’s degree from the Church Teachers’ College with the intention of only staying for two years.

But fate would not have it. Throughout the years, she would take on various leadership roles until her crowning moment on July 1, 2024, after acting in the post of principal for roughly a year.

“I am a person who has a passion for teaching, passion for administration. It has long been a focal point of my enthusiasm and dedication to mould young minds, mentor, teach, and to date, I’ve had over seven years of administrative experience.

“I started as grade 10 supervisor from 2005, and then in 2016, I became viceprincipal and then acting principal [last year] to be appointed now,” Wilson told The Gleaner in an interview on Thursday.

“So I’ve been in administration at different levels for a while, so I have long wanted to serve in a collaborative environment, an environment that is healthy, and an environment that is supportive, an environment that is focused on holistic development of both staff and students,” she said.

Wilson’s love for Calabar High School started when she was a student at Ardenne High School in the 1980s. She remembered going to Calabar for Key Club joint meetings and community projects.

“Ever since I’ve been at Ardenne High School, I’ve always been a Calabar girl. Always. Quite a number of the Calabar old boys are my contemporaries. Being at Ardenne and living in the Kingston 20 area, quite a number of them went to Calabar, and [with me] going to Boys’ Champs from back in the day, or any other sporting activity, I’d be a Calabar supporter,” Wilson told The Gleaner.

“I remember the days of Champs when we used to sit under the Air Jamaica sign and we’d watch the races with the persons carrying the green and black flag in the sporting arena. So I’ve always supported Calabar,” she said.

Wilson also recalled swimming in Calabar’s pool back in the day when she visited the institution for socials after executing joint community projects. That pool is now an eyesore. It is among the thing she intends to address.

“I was a little disappointed when I came to Calabar in 1995 and saw that the pool was no longer up and running and functioning,” she said.

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