AJA: You are creating history

“St. Leonard’s Boys’ Secondary School (SLBSS) is creating history,” stated poet, musician and peace activist, Adisa “AJA” Andwele as he addressed just under 180 members of Students Against Violence Everywhere (S.A.V.E.) initiative which was launched on Thursday.

In 2015, AJA was one of the key individuals to start Peace Ambassadors to alleviate violence in schools.

He told the student body that as young people they should applaud themselves as they seek to create peace at St. Leonard’s and across Barbados. The poet also encouraged young boys to take the time to think about what they are doing and the path they are going to take. After the launch, AJA joined the SLBSS faculty and students as they marched around the school compound with their peace placards.

The initiative is the brainchild of senior teacher, Winston Cumberbatch and it encourages students to join and take the pledge to use conflict resolution to settle arguments instead of resorting to violence.

Working With Counsellors, Parents
Principal of St. Leonard’s Boys’ Secondary School, Joseph Maynard spoke to The Barbados Advocate about school social support initiatives and the misconceptions about violence within schools. Maynard noted that violence in schools is not new as there were incidences in the past when it occurred. However he explained that they were fortunate that back then those incidences were dealt with quickly and there was no social media to hype things up.

In February of this year, St. Leonard’s Boys’ Secondary School was placed in the news headlines after several boys were involved in violent incident on the school compound. During his remarks at the launch of the S.A.V.E. initiative, The Principal said that schools were a “microcosm of Barbadian society” and that the school wanted to “contribute positively”. Currently at St. Leonard’s, the Principal highlighted that when problems arise they have two guidance counsellors who can work with the boys. He added in the event that a situation has become very difficult or beyond their capacity to deal with it, they do seek outside assistance to curb the problem. Maynard also noted that in these situations, the parents must be on board.

On the point of parents and their involvement with student affairs, Principal Maynard said that the school has a vibrant PTA and the school has brought in psychologists and representatives of PAREDOS to help some of the parents with their issues. He added that the school will not win all, but they are trying to help as many as they can. Presently Principal Maynard is responsible for 1 050 students within the Eagle Hall community.