Porus High School sees academic, sports gains with support from diaspora

During a recent visit to Porus High School in Manchester, Jamaica, Caribbean National Weekly spoke with Principal Marlene Murray. Eight years into her tenure, Murray has good reason to feel encouraged by the institution's ongoing success and achievements.

Academic performance is climbing, the school's sports program has moved from multiple defeats to becoming competitive, and partnerships with the diaspora and other stakeholders are providing critical support for students. But Murray refuses to take the credit alone.

“So we are seeing gradual improvement, and it's all because of teamwork,” she said. “We have an awesome team here.”

The numbers tell part of the story. Three years ago, Porus High's CSEC performance was in the 40 percent range. The following year, it moved into the 50 percent range, and in the latest sitting, the school climbed into the 60 percent range. The achievement is significant because many students arrive at Porus with academic challenges.

“For the most part, our students come in with different challenges,” Murray explained. “Of course, we have some who come prepared, but quite a number of them will come in as non-readers and with different challenges.”

That has made academic intervention a priority.

“Because we at Porus High believe in value-added, our tagline is success and nothing less,” Murray said. “We try to put strategies and programs in place so that at the end of the day, our students can leave at a better place than they entered the institution.”

Murray credits much of the school's progress to its Board of Management, headed by Chairman Dr. Garth Anderson, the Ministry of Education, teachers, staff, past students and organizations such as Friends of Porus.

“We are blessed at Porus to have stakeholders who offer us extensive support,” she said.

That support includes professional development programs, counseling and financial assistance for students and families facing difficult circumstances. She spoke with enthusiasm about Porus High's extensive mentorship program as an important part of the school's progress, particularly the involvement of Jamaicans in the diaspora.

“We have an extensive mentorship program where members of the diaspora … partner with our parents and students,” she explained. “They hold leadership sessions with our students, they offer them financial support, they're there to counsel them.”

The program, she believes, demonstrates how meaningful diaspora involvement can provide students with guidance, encouragement and opportunities while strengthening the wider Porus High community.

“We cannot overemphasize the support that we have received,” Murray stressed.

She spoke about former head boy and Friends of Porus executive Vassell O'Gilvie, who accompanied us on the trip, as someone who has assisted the institution in several areas. She said he has consistently answered the school's call for assistance. His contributions have included financial support for staff training, as well as mentorship and guidance for members of the school's leadership team.

“We just need to make a call. He's here,” Murray said, noting that O'Gilvie also makes his knowledge and experience available when administrators need advice.

“Anything he promises, we get — he is a man of his word,” she added. For Murray, his commitment is an example of how diaspora partners can make a meaningful and lasting contribution to the development of Porus High.

One of Murray's biggest leadership tests came during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We had to become creative,” she recalled.

Teachers printed assignments and traveled to different locations to get schoolwork to students.

“The staff was dropping off papers,” Murray said. “The human element, being absent during COVID, would have impacted us negatively. But we are giving thanks that now we are rebounding.”

The progress extends beyond academics.

Murray recalled that just a few years ago, Porus High's sports teams were accustomed to crushing defeats.

“Three, four years ago, whenever we played, it was 17-0,” she said.

“Now, we are up there. Now we are competitive,” she said.

Principal Murray now wants more past students and members of the Jamaican diaspora to become part of the school's transformation.

“Words cannot express our gratitude here at Porus High School,” she said. “We are aware of the sacrifices that you have been making over the years. And it's paying off.”

For those who have not yet joined the effort, Principal Murray has a simple invitation:

“Take the challenge today and come on board. You will not regret it. It will be a fruitful journey.”

At Porus High, those words reflect a school increasingly living by its own philosophy — “Success and nothing less.”