Manchester High nurturing mind and spirit
Published:Saturday | June 11, 2011 | 12:00 AM
Keisha Hill, Gleaner Writer
MANDEVILLE, Manchester:MANCHESTER HIGH School in Mandeville has been responding to the threats of increasing violence against students and cushioning the impact of the incidence of murder-suicide in the parish by developing and responding to the needs of its students, and by extension, the entire school population.
The Gleaner recently reported that the normally happy lunch break at Cross Keys High School in Manchester descended into tragedy after a fight between two boys left one dead. This followed the death of 16-year-old Jorihan Flynn, who was a former student of Manchester High School. Flynn was reportedly killed by her stepfather, Corporal Wayne Llewellyn, in the quiet community of Three Hills in western St Mary.
"It affected us generally. We were grief stricken. We actually prepared the staff first. Then we divided the teachers to pockets of students. It also affected the individual class," reported Joy Westcarr, vice-principal and guidance counsellor at Manchester High. "We had a number of counsellors come in and assist the students and staff. It also frightened the students who are in similar situations. Some were at the point of thinking that they might end up in the same way," she added.
high-quality education
However, Westcarr said with the vision and strong leadership of the school and the motivation of its leaders, they strive to provide a high-quality education and develop excellence in their students. She said even though academics was their core function, they had a strong spiritual base. Students did prayers and daily devotionals, and a Spiritual Emphasis Week is planned each term by the Inter-School Christian Fellowship.
Notwithstanding these initiatives, they ensure the holistic development of the students and the teachers. "The teachers are assessed in the classroom once per term to determine if the content is being (effectively) taught to the students and if the students understand what they are being taught," Westcarr said.
Dean of Discipline Sigrid Miller said there was a system in place that was quite effective. She said there is a hierarchical structure which everybody understands, so there are no surprises.
"There is an understanding as to how the system works and how it flows. We have a grade supervisor for each level. So for level one offences, the average teacher can deal with that. The level two offences attract a demerit, or if there is an action that attracts a demerit, the referral is made to the grade supervisor. Once it's a level three offence - that attracts a suspension - it is referred to me," Miller explained.
The dean of discipline said a very small percentage of the student population has had incidents of violent conduct, and most of the cases involve students with recurring issues. Students, she said, are aware of the school's handbook that outlines the rules and regulations and the expected behaviour of students while attending the institution.
"The vast majority of students conform to the rules and regulations. Those who do not conform, and depending on the aspect or level of the violation, are dealt with accordingly," Miller said.
mentorship programme
Guidance counsellor Westcarr said they have also implemented a mentorship programme in which the senior students mentor the younger ones in an effort to provide a level of stability. Sixteen-year-old Dillon Duncan is a beneficiary of the school's outreach programmes. Duncan, along with seven other boys, participated in a transformation programme for youth in early May.
Duncan, who is from the Mile Gully area of the parish, said since the workshop, he has started to look at life from a different perspective. "I use my time more constructively and have been focusing more on my academics. I was always a member of the cadets, but now I am even more focused on joining the army. I want to be the best that I can be," Duncan said.
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