Citation To Juliet Christie Murray

Retirement Citation for Juliet Christie- Murray

“Look at them standing, sitting there. The present, the past, the future! All wrapped up in these bundles of humanity waiting to emerge.”

In a life lived by her own words, Juliet Christie Murray has devoted all her professional life to the emergence, development and growth of our nation’s youth through her service in the field of education, and her time spent at the Sandy Bay Primary and Junior High School.

Born in the parish of Hanover, she chose to remain loyal to her roots with the bent objective of making a difference in the lives of all those who would eventually cross her path in this journey of life. And like the title of her book – to begin the journey to enlightenment for countless Hanoverians over the years.

With a tenure of almost forty (40) years in the field of education, she grew professionally through the ranks, from that of being a pre-trained teacher when she joined the staff of the then Sandy Bay All Age in 1972. Over the years she served as 4-H leader, part of the S.C.O.P.E. Committee that dealt with the expansion of the physical structure of the school, and was a member of the school board. She completed that phase of the journey as a Vice Principal, and with a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology at the time of her retirement.

As a Vice Principal, the staff she supervised has many accolades for the time spent with her. They have lauded her as a true leader, a woman with unique spiritual gifts, a woman who is reflective, a firm but jovial and caring person, a tower of strength, a mentor, a mother, a sister; a woman who knows how to speak her mind. She tells it like it is, but without being in any way offensive.

Being a realist, she recognized that education goes beyond the bounds of literacy and numeracy. It engenders values, attitudes, skills, and the development of the total persona. To this end, many avenues were explored by her, and the skills acquired were imparted unselfishly for the upliftment of the Sandy Bay community and its environs. In 1983 the Home Economics Department was opened with her as its head, and for many years the Sandy bay school was the only All Age School in the western region with a Home Economics Department. In order to give quality service to her charges, she enrolled in what was then College of Arts Science and Technology (C.A.S.T) to gain new knowledge and hone her skills in that field of study. Many tailors, dressmakers, great homemakers and reputable chefs were spawned under her care and tutelage in the Home Economics Department. Her perseverance, fortitude and vision have helped to produce many great community citizens in varying professional fields.

For her committed and dedicated service over the years to the field of education, and for sticking to the task despite the challenges she was rewarded with the Golden Torch Award in 2006.

As she helped to open, shape and motivate young minds, in like manner hers was opened, and she discovered the hidden talent of a poet in herself. She has etched her name indelibly in the annals of history with the publication of two books of poetry – Journey to Enlightenment, and Seasons.

As a school family, we salute you Juliet Christie Murray for being an integral part of the successes of the Sandy Bay Primary and Junior High School over the years. You have left indelible prints on the lives of so many. You have given committed and caring service to the profession. Our sincere thanks for all your efforts. We wish for you and your family a very long, happy and successful retirement.

Today, as you stand on the portals of time, one journey completed; another to begin, it is only fitting that we leave with you the words of the great poet Kahlil Gibran – “And when you have reached the mountain top, then you shall begin to climb.”