Vaping. Gambling. Drugs. Sex. Puberty. Menstruation.

These are some of the uncomfortable, yet critical conversations we have initiated at Christel House Jamaica to help our students prepare for adolescence, high school, and life beyond the classroom.

Our Social Services Department engaged several partners to deliver a series of sessions targeted at our upper primary school students, especially Grade 6, who will be the first cohort to transition to high school in August.

Eleven of the 25 students in the Substance Abuse Prevention session had already tried vaping. “We have encountered a few cases of students bringing vapes to school which highlighted the need for early sensitisation,” says Ms. Raymond, Guidance Counsellor and Head of the Social Services Department. “Prevention is better than cure.”

Grade 6 student Chantoya R., reflecting on the session, led by RISE Life Management Services shared, “I learned that alcohol and cigarettes, some people are addicted to it, and cigarettes can cause cancer in your lungs, and it is made of nicotine.” Students were surprised to learn vapes also contain nicotine, which makes cigarettes highly addictive.

RISE Life also delivered a session on Underage Gambling Prevention. Ms. Raymond explained this was an important topic: “Gambling is prevalent in many of the communities our students come from, and children are frequently exposed to it through the actions of adults. These sessions, particularly the one on gambling are designed to raise awareness, discourage early engagement, and guide students toward more positive behaviour.”

To sensitise students to their changing bodies, Pete Williams from the Child Protection and Family Services Agency (CPFSA) conducted a session with Grade 6 boys and girls on puberty and sexual education.

This was complemented by an interactive, hands-on session on Menstrual Health for Grade 4 to 6 girls, facilitated by HerFlow Foundation’s Executive Director, Shelly-Ann Weeks.

“With the hormonal changes in their bodies, we needed to kickstart the conversation around sex education and puberty,” Ms. Raymond explained. “The sessions were carefully tailored to deliver age-appropriate content that our students could understand and relate to.”

The sex-ed session addressed a wide range of topics, including what sex is, rape, underage sex and the law, and maintaining healthy boundaries.  “It’s important that we’re proactive, providing students with accurate information before the need arises. This approach helps them build healthier relationships and navigate their interactions with greater awareness and respect.”

Ms. Weeks provided the girls with valuable insight into their own anatomy and taught them not to be ashamed of the natural process. Each girl also received a package of sanitary napkins and learned how to use them.

Earlier this year, the AIDS Health Foundation installed and stocked sanitary napkin dispensers and donated period panties, ensuring our girls have the resources they need to confidently and comfortably manage their periods.

Ms. Raymond noted that while it may be too early to see long-term outcomes, there are already signs of increased awareness among students. “We’re seeing the greatest impact from the sex education session. Students are more informed and are demonstrating healthier boundaries in their interactions with one another.”

Ms. Raymond emphasizes that these initiatives are part of a broader commitment to student wellbeing. ‘This is just the start,’ she says. ‘We’ll continue equipping our students with the knowledge and tools they need to thrive academically, emotionally, and socially.”