Mystery, fear, and theories of witchcraft filled the atmosphere at the Clan Carthy High School in Kingston yesterday after the principal reportedly showed up for work only to find a large 'John Crow' her office.

Information reaching THE WEEKEND STAR is that the principal arrived at the institution sometime between 7 and 7:30 a.m, and shortly after entering her office, she is said to have opened the door to the bathroom area where to her surprise a huge, black vulture was seen.

The vulture is said to have simply jumped atop the toilet seat where it remained quite calm despite the frantic cries of the principal as she raised an alarm.

"A suh yu know seh is not a normal situation cause di John Crow jus' go pon di toilet seat and stay so calm, even when di principal a cry out fi help," one witness, a teacher who requested anonymity, told THE WEEKEND STAR when the news team visited the school yesterday.

The woman's alarm is said to have at first garnered the attention of several teachers and others who were close to the office, but soon the whole school would receive word of the mysterious and somewhat frightening vulture.

Further reports reaching THE WEEKEND STAR is that the principal summoned a team of 'prayer warriors' that included a number of students, teachers, and even a member of the school board as those who got close enough to see the bird were too afraid to make an attempt at capturing it.

"Is like dem did 'fraid a di John Crow cause everybody a seh a must some form of obeah suh dem call some prayer warrior fi help out," another source, an ancillary worker, explained.

The prayer warriors are said to have chanted several scriptures from the Bible and pleaded the 'blood of Jesus' on the John Crow which was still quite comfortably atop the principal's toilet seat.

The bird was, however, removed minutes later by a crew of garbage men who were contacted.

Interestingly, the men are said to have had intentions of burning the bird to death, but it somehow managed to make an escape and flew away while kerosene oil was being sought.

Efforts to get a comment from the school principal were unsuccessful as upon visiting the institution, she was said to be out of office. Several subsequent calls to her office went unanswered.

However, students, teachers and even outsiders from neighbouring communities with whom THE WEEKEND STAR did manage to speak, say they believe the bird was indeed being used for witchcraft as this was not the first time a 'strange' animal was found in the principal's office.

They spoke of a case which occurred some two years ago in which a frog was found. The frog reportedly had a padlock on its mouth and also created quite a scene when it was discovered.

"Mi fraid a dem obeah supn' yah eno. It look like dem a try get rid of the principal," said a male fifth-form student who was reluctant to give his name.

"A me yu waa dem sen supn' fah. Dem send frog, dem sen John Crow, a wah dem woulda sen' fi me?" he queried.