Christel House Jamaica parent, Dwight C. explains the reason he removed his child from his previous school was because of a bullying incident which led to him having to replace a broken pair of glasses. “Is a ting weh a real ting inna the school why me join the bullying ting.” Dwight accepted the role of Parent Officer at the official launch of our Bullying Prevention Program, which was developed to address various forms of bullying, including verbal, social, physical, and cyberbullying. Our team of Bullying Prevention Officers includes parents, students, and staff.

Mrs. Sandria Watkis-Madden, Social Worker, says the program stemmed from conversations with parents and students affected by bullying. “The pain and fear in their voices highlighted the urgent need for a structured approach to address bullying and create a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment for all students,” she explained.

Reflecting on her personal journey, Mrs. Watkis-Madden shared that growing up, she was a bit of a bully and didn’t fully understand the lasting consequences of her actions. She says seeing incidents of bullying happening here prompted her to develop the program.

The Bullying Prevention Program is being rolled out in phases to foster a respectful school culture. Mrs. Watkis-Madden formed a committee of teachers, parents, and students who developed training materials and delivered comprehensive sessions for officers and staff. Fifteen Student Bullying Prevention Officers, chosen for their leadership and diverse perspectives, are now trained to identify bullying behaviours, support peers, promote inclusivity, and report incidents. At the February 19^th launch, parent and student officers also received handbooks outlining their roles and responsibilities.

Some of the student officers, being bullies themselves, are learning firsthand to be more empathetic and effective in addressing bullying. Running through July 2025, the program includes ongoing social and emotional learning for both students and parents, and harnesses students’ artistic skills to create anti-bullying materials. It also includes continuous support and regular evaluations to ensure effectiveness.

Student Officers expressed excitement about their involvement. O’Sharie  F., Grade 4 Student Officer said, “Mi like help people so I’m fine wid it, and it nice fi help out kids.” She emphasized the importance of standing up against bullying, noting “kids might pick on each other and injuries might come in and their parents is sad about it.”

Parent Okeme remarked that this is the first time he is seeing a program like this. “Mi woulda like fi see di program deh inna some different schools.” He also now intends to be an anti-bullying advocate outside of Christel House.

Parents play a pivotal role in reinforcing lessons at home. Mrs. Madden explained, “We actually want the children to be change agents, so the parents will hold them accountable at home.” Trained parents are expected to reinforce what was taught and alert school stakeholders if a child acts contrary to their anti-bullying training. The program also includes involvement from community stakeholders, such as the Community Safety and Security Branch, officers from the Adult Correctional Centre, the Child Protection and Family Services Agency and mental health professionals—many of whom spoke with students in breakout sessions on launch day.

The program aims to reduce bullying, empower students and staff, promote respect, and provide support for both victims and bullies while enabling bystanders to stand up against bullying. Mrs. Madden encouraged parents and the wider community to attend sensitization sessions, support activities, and offer feedback. “With support from trained Bullying Prevention Officers, dedicated staff, involved parents, and external partners, we believe we can make a lasting impact.”

Want to learn even more about our Bullying Prevention Program? Watch this interview with Mrs. Watkis-Madden, who brought the program to life.