'Aabuthnott Gallimore High admin won't give in'

Carl Gilchrist, Gleaner Writer

ALEXANDRIA, St Ann:It was a tough price to pay, but the attack on Gavin Myers, dean of discipline of the Aabuthnott Gallimore High School, seems to have started a trend of disciplined behaviour at the Alexandria, St Ann, school.

Myers was attacked by five students in April and was hospitalised with several stab wounds and a broken leg. He was attacked after he tried to get the boys who were on suspension off the school compound.

Myers returned to active duty at the school in July, although he has not fully recovered from the incident.

Speaking with The Gleaner on Thursday, principal Geoffrey Sharpe said there has been a change for the better since that troubling incident.

"I wouldn't say we are squeaky clean now, but that incident has brought a sobering effect to the school," Sharpe said. "There used to be little skirmishes. We don't see a lot of that anymore. A sort of calm has come over the school. It seems students are doing a lot of introspection and it is playing out in their behaviour. So the situation is much improved."

Sharpe said since classes resumed on Monday, several students had been turned away because of violations of the dress code. While the occurrence might be a daily one, Sharpe said it has been noted that it was the same set of students, mainly boys, who kept turning up and expecting to be admitted to school while in violation of the dress code.

Sharpe said the administration is firm in its stance to have students abide by the rules.

"We don't plan to give in. Rules must be respected, so we're putting down our foot," he said. Sharpe added that he was happy the education ministry had taken a supportive stance on the issue.

The five boys charged with wounding with intent and assault occasioning grievous bodily harm, arising from the attack on Myers, are to return to court on September 24.