Grange Hill Primary students encouraged to stand up against bullying

Students of Grange Hill Primary School in Westmoreland were today encouraged to play their part in standing up against bullying in schools.

The charged came from Assistant Superintendent of Police with responsibility for Zone Two in the Westmoreland Police Division Jordaine Allen who stated that acts of kindness and showing empathy to others are good tools to building safer school communities.

Allen, who has portfolio responsibility for the Grange Hill and Frome police stations, was among persons who participated in Read Across Jamaica Day activities at the school today.

It was noted that there are no incidents of bullying at Grange Hill Primary.

But, Allen used the children's book “Billy the Bully” to speak on the issue.

“We know that bullyism exists in our schools and we have to find strategies to solve them,” Allen said.

“Grange Hill Primary students, this is how we concur bullies. We have to be kind, we have to show a little empathy, show them a different way,” he added.

The school's principal Clayton Smith was delighted to have the police reading to the children, especially as they are operating in a tense environment.

Grange Hill has seen several bouts of shootings, including the shooting death of a 16-year-old student from the Grange Hill High and the injury of a female student last month.

- Albert Ferguson

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