Sybil Watt - Grey Ground's tower of strength

Dave Lindo, Gleaner Writer

Retired educator Sybil Atkinson Watt for the last 25 years has been making outstanding contributions to the Grey Ground community through her school, Grove Mount Basic, which she runs from the lower level of her house.

The 82-year-old has also contributed to the wider education sector with 35 years of service to the teaching profession.

The daughter of Jamaicans Myra and Edward Williams, Watt was born in Guatemala but came to Jamaica when she was five years old, along with her older sister. "When we came to Jamaica, my sister and I went to Clarendon in Mahoe Hill and then we went to Carmel School," Watt said.

"When I came to Grey Ground to live, I was principal at Auchtembeddie School in Manchester, near Balaclava (St Elizabeth). I went there in 1971 and spent five years. When I acquired the house at Grey Ground, I worked at Richmond All-Age, where I started as vice-principal and then principal. I spent 16 years there in total," said Watt.

It was while teaching at Richmond All-Age that she decided to start the school in Grey Ground. "From a child, I always wanted children around me, so I decided to start the school at my house," Watt said.

"I just decided to use the downstairs of my house to cater for the children from the community."

Solid start

Over the years, the school has been an integral part of the community, where children from Grey Ground and surrounding communities get a solid start in their education at the early childhood level.

The school is now run on behalf of Watt by Marsha McCormack, who the retired educator raised since she was 14 years old. "I helped her to go back to school and upgrade herself, and I am proud of her achievement - that she is now the principal of this school," Watt explained.

Doris Wright, another protégée of Watt's and a former principal of Grove Mount, spoke highly of her mentor. "From the first time I came in contact with her, she has been a tower of strength to me and the community," Wright said. "She has also helped me a lot in running my school, Eye View Basic."

Watt continues to enjoy teaching: "I enjoy having the school, having the children around. I still help them in their work," she said. "I also help other children from the community with their schoolwork, even at my age. It's just something I enjoy - teaching."