This past week when Alexandra School principal Jeff Broomes was in the hot seat at the commission of inquiry into the school, NATION online readers were following the sessions and were intrigued.
After hearing from previous education officials who gave evidence, it was Broomes’ turn and some readers empathized with the head.
When the principal got emotional, drying tears after recalling the fact that his late mother’s illness had coincided with the issue surrounding the non-teaching of a fourth form between May and June last year, some urged him to stay strong and press on.
Anne Baptiste: “Mr Broomes, what hurts you will make you stronger. Put your trust in God. You are a brilliant man.”
Denise Blackman: “Mr Broomes, my former English teacher, God will strengthen you. Keep trusting in Him.”
Andree-Oreen Edwards-Gilkes: “Do not cry, just pray.”
De Amour Murrell: “I believe that there was a breakdown in communication on both sides and I am very sorry for all involved – the principal, the teachers and the students. May God direct.”
Broomes also got the support of readers when he admitted he sometimes pitched marbles with members of the student body. Retired High Court Judge Frederick Waterman, who heads the commission, admonished him not to continue with the practice, noting students could lose respect for him.
Our readers strongly disagreed with Waterman.
Jozette Bibby: “Is Mr Waterman serious? As a teacher myself I know for certain this does not make children lose respect for you . . . . This builds a relationship with the students and [lets] them know they can trust him.”
Winston Grecia: “I see no problem with Mr Broomes pitching marbles with the students. I believe the opposite is happening. The students will see him as a friendly person and will have more respect for him . . . .”
Kenneth King: “Why can’t a headmaster show a little normality with his students in creating a more trustworthy relationship where a student can confront him on any problems he or she has by this kind of gesture . . . . I thought we should be proud to know that we have a head of a school [who] shows a direct connection to pupils of his school . . . .”
Randy Bridgeman: “With all due respect, the honourable judge is off base with his admonition to Mr Broomes to refrain from pitching marbles with his young charges. Once Mr Broomes maintains his dignity and that of the office he holds, there shouldn’t be a problem.
“Such an act on a principal’s part could even humanize him in the eyes of the youngsters, most of whom tend to put those in positions of leadership and authority on a pedestal and sometimes view them as unapproachable. In fact, these may be ‘teachable moments’ for a principal as he demonstrates honesty, fairness, unselfishness, charity, graciousness in losing and the like during the game.”
• Carol Martindale is the Nation’s Online Editor.
