Schools rekindling hope

Jamaica Gleaner | 2025-12-03 | Original Article

Old Harbour and Greater Portmore high schools in St Catherine have become the new homes for several students displaced by Hurricane Melissa, which devastated sections of the island in late October, leaving hundreds without a school to continue their education.

 

Among them are Tavic Thomas and Shawn Green, both at Old Harbour High School, who were rushing to sit Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) exams on Monday afternoon.

 

Thomas had to leave Belmont Academy after the institution suffered significant damage to its physical structure, while Green left Godfrey Stewart High School, which remains a shelter, though not as severely damaged as others.

 

Thomas’ transfer, initially temporary, has now become permanent, a decision he communicated to principal Lynton Weir.

 

He recounted the chaos of the hurricane, recalling taking refuge in a small space at home while his family lost nearly everything.

 

“All the roof blew off, but it’s already fixed so I could stay, because I have to stay in Westmoreland, but my school was badly damaged and I didn’t want to stop my education. So that’s why I came to Old Harbour High School,” he told The Gleaner.

 

Now living with an uncle, Thomas is recognised as a gifted innovator. He and other Belmont students used a lawnmower motor to build go-karts, an innovation showcased at an expo this year at the National Arena.

 

Recalling the hurricane, he said, “It started as a breeze, then a heavy breeze, then a heavier breeze. Roofs just started flying, light posts started to break, and wires were everywhere. I stayed inside and looked through the window as the devastation unfolded.”

 

Shawn Green’s school remains a shelter. His father relocated him from Westmoreland to Old Harbour, where he now lives with him. The 11th grader was minutes from sitting a English exam when he spoke with The Gleaner.

 

“My house wasn’t affected, but the school that I go, it was affected. So my father said [to] transfer. So I am now living with my father here,” he explained. “I liked the school from long time, and I also want to play football. So now I get the opportunity to [call] the school my own.”

 

Added Green: “Is a long time a been wanting to come to Old Harbour High School. I like the atmosphere, and plus, I want to play football. I am not playing football at the moment, but I hope to make the team.”

 

Living close to an Office of Disaster Preparedness and Emergency Management-operated early-warning system for major hazards, Green recalled his father telling him that if he heard the siren go off as Hurricane Melissa approached on October 28, it was time to move.

 

While the siren did go off, he said when he checked on what he should do his father said it was okay for the moment.

 

“So the Monday night, it was a lot a breeze – not much rain. But the Tuesday now, that’s when everything started to happen. The rains got heavy, and the breeze heavier. Light started to flicker and we couldn’t go outside any more,” he recalled.

 

Principal Weir said that Old Harbour High has welcomed 11 students from grades seven to 13, including those from Munro College and Hampton School, as well as Frome Technical, Lacovia, Black River, and Green Pond high schools.

 

“I think they are coping well. I think they have made the adjustments, and I think our teachers have helped them to make the adjustments as well. The students have also helped them to make the adjustments. I mean, every time I hit the platform, I would say to our students, ‘Students, they are our brothers and sisters. You have to treat them nicely and kindly because what happened, they didn’t cause it on themselves.’ The students have been assisting them well,” he said.

 

About Thomas, Weir said he initially requested a temporary transfer, but later asked to make it permanent.

 

“I asked why he wanted permanent transfer and he said, ‘Sir, I like it here.’ And then he said, ‘Sir, I really would not want my education to stop at all.’

 

“I said, ‘Okay, I can provide you with a permanent transfer.’”

 

Weir said Thomas is already showing great promise.

 

“This afternoon he came, he said, ‘Sir, I want to look at your extracurricular activities.’ And in looking at our extracurricular activities, he said, ‘Do you have anything in terms ... of technology innovation?’ So, I said, ‘What is that?’

 

“He took out his phone and he was able to show me some go-kart that himself and another students build,” the principal told The Gleaner.

 

After Thomas explained the process of making the vehicle, Weir took him to the school’s Engineering Department.

 

“So, right away, we are trying to get him involved because he has ideas and talent,” Weir said.

 

He described Thomas and Green as valuable additions to the school community and wished them well.

 

Greater Portmore High School has also accepted nine students affected by the hurricane. Principal Ricardo Ross said the staff has also been providing care packages with clothing and food to students from St Elizabeth and Manchester.

 

“We have nine students from Maud McLeod, Little London, Black River and Maggotty high schools. We know the events were traumatising, so the guidance counselling team is working closely with them, and the children here have welcomed them. We have told them to show love and appreciation to them and make them feel welcome,” Ross told The Gleaner.

 

He said the students have been asked to contribute whatever they can to help the children as well.

 

erica.virtue@gleanerjm.com

 

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