In a significant stride toward fostering peace and positive behavior, approximately 50 students at Chalky Hill Primary and Infant School in St. Ann, Jamaica, have been formally recognized as ‘Irie Stars Peacemakers.’ This initiative, marking National Peace Day, was spearheaded by a collaborative effort between the Violence Prevention Alliance (VPA) and the Sandals Foundation.
The cornerstone of the event was the official inauguration of a newly installed ‘IRIE Peace Garden,’ a project funded by the Sandals Foundation with an investment of roughly $200,000. This vibrant outdoor space, complete with a dedicated seating area and an inspiring mural, is designed to serve as a sanctuary for students. It provides a dedicated environment for reflection, collaborative teamwork, conflict resolution, and lessons in environmental stewardship, thereby significantly enhancing the school’s nurturing atmosphere.
An awards ceremony held on Tuesday, March 3, honored the 50 pupils who have consistently demonstrated the school’s core values. Each young peacemaker received a specially designed button to wear proudly throughout the year. According to school guidance counsellor Patricia Pottinger Bailey, this award system is a strategic component of the school’s broader IRIE initiative, which is built upon the School-Wide Positive Behaviour Intervention and Support framework.
The acronym IRIE represents the values the school instills: Industrious, Respectful, Intelligent, and Educated. Pottinger Bailey emphasized that the program extends beyond the classroom, with parents being actively encouraged to reinforce these principles at home during Parent-Teacher Association meetings to ensure the program’s holistic effectiveness.
School Principal Christine Badal McBean expressed strong support for the partnership, underscoring the critical need to embed peaceful practices from early childhood. She stated that peace is a daily commitment that must be practiced consistently in classrooms, on playgrounds, and within homes, and that such initiatives empower students to understand the impact of their choices.
Jonelle Llewellyn, a research associate at the VPA, noted that recognizing National Peace Day is a key part of the organization’s mission to establish peaceful norms in educational and community settings. Rewarding positive behavior helps shape a culture where peace becomes the standard expectation. Following the ceremony, students also received token gift bags from the VPA containing crayons and coloring books, distributed to identified beneficiaries and as prizes.