Christel House Jamaica recently hosted a two-day Restorative Justice Workshop in partnership with the St. Catherine Justice Centre, bringing together students, parents, and staff in a shared effort to strengthen conflict resolution skills and foster a more positive school environment. Two facilitators from the Centre guided the sessions, providing expert insight and practical strategies. 

“The workshop was designed to equip students with the tools to identify, de-escalate, and resolve conflicts before they escalate into physical altercations,” explained Paul Wilson, Dean of Discipline. “Students are often most aware of emerging tensions and the emotional climate within school, our goal is to empower them as proactive agents of peace within their peer groups.” 

A total of 22 students participated in the training, 12 from the senior school and ten from the junior school. This group included student leaders, as well as bulling prevention officers—students who are already positioned to influence school culture in meaningful ways. 

The workshop also extended beyond students, and included eight parents and five staff members. This holistic approach helps to reinforce a consistent framework for conflict resolution both at school and at home, strengthening the overall support system around each child. 

This initiative laid the foundation for the launch of our “Restorative Justice Agents” Programme, a high school student-led initiative that trains selected students to identify, mediate, and resolve conflicts among their peers using restorative practices.