Mourning marks first day at Little London Primary and Infant School

WESTERN BUREAU:

Grief was the order of the day at the Little London Primary and Infant School in Westmoreland yesterday as members of the academic and auxiliary staff mourned the loss of the school’s principal, Shirlet Craig-Davis, who died two days before the start of the new school year.

The early hours of the day were taken up by grief counselling, which was provided by members of the clergy, guidance counsellors and education stakeholders. The grief counselling is set to continue today when the more than 700 students return to school to restart their educational journey without Craig-Davis, who was a cornerstone at the institution.

Craig-Davis, who complained about having a headache after a motor vehicle accident two weeks ago, was treated at hospital, given medication and sent home. However, after she was sent home, she suffered two strokes and was rushed to the University Hospital of the West Indies (UHWI) where she died.

Nadine Williams, the school’s senior guidance counsellor, told The Gleaner that Craig-Davis was a holistic principal, who believed in the holistic development of the children, and not just their academic development, and will be sadly missed by the school community, the wider community and the church.

“She will be greatly missed. The staff cannot cope at this moment, and we are here, and I’m asking for support,” said Williams. “As we go through this grieving process, we will have to be there for a smooth start tomorrow with the children.”

COUNSELLING IN CLASSES

According to Williams, when the students show up for school today, they will first be engaged in general devotions before going into the grief counselling sessions in their respective classes. Special emphasis will be placed on one student who had several run-ins with the principal and is blaming herself for the stroke Craig-Davis had.

“One student is now blaming herself that she contributed to the death of Mrs Craig-Davis, because she was not behaving herself. So, now, I will have to pull her aside and assure her that things do happen, and she doesn’t have to blame herself,” said Williams.

Grief counselling will also be provided via Zoom for their parents, Craig-Davis’ friends in the diaspora, and her Sam Sharpe Teachers’ College batchmates.

Nerissa Stephens, a vice principal at the school, said no words could express the grief being felt in the school community.

“We are deeply hurt, and we are just here standing in solidarity as we support each other and trusting that God will indeed see us through this time of grief,” said Stephens, who said it was one of the reasons why the students were asked not to report to school yesterday. “The atmosphere at this is very sad. It’s very mournful.”

Norman Allen, the Jamaica Teachers’ Association Western regional officer, who visited the school yesterday, encouraged the staff to stay focused in their grief.

“While we grieve, let us look at all the good things that would have been poured out of this individual into the institution, into the children that she would have touched, into the young teachers who she would have mentored, and even the older staff members who she would have made contact with and groomed,” said Allen.

Bishop Howard Palmer, pastor of the Glad Tidings Assemblies of God Church in Broughton, Westmoreland, where Craig-Davis worshipped, said the church is also in mourning.

“The church feels it very much, but we are holding on and holding it together,” Palmer said.

editorial@gleanerjm.com