Mentorship programme for St Ann youngsters

Grade five students at three St Ann schools are to receive dedicated guidance and encouragement through a new Custos Commando Mentorship pilot programme, launched by the St Ann Justices of the Peace (JP) Association.

Almost 70 JPs have volunteered to mentor students at Exchange Primary, Ocho Rios Primary, and St John's Preparatory schools. Each JP will be paired with up to two students in need of mentorship, meeting with them at least twice per month to help build their confidence, character, and readiness for their final year of primary school. The 11-month programme runs through July 2026 and will conclude with a grand exit ceremony.

Custos of St Ann, Joseph Issa, who attended the launch at Exchange Primary School recently, described the initiative as key to the parish's vision of a "better day".

"The children will have somebody other than their parent or their teacher who has gone through life and seen life to be able to lean on, to pick their brain, guide them and, hopefully, help them progress in life faster and in a better way than if they didn't have a mentor helping," he said.

Each volunteer is expected to submit a bimonthly update on their relationship with the mentees. Project coordinator Wesley Boynes pointed out that grade five was the best grade of choice.

"We realised that a lot of support comes in grade six when it's time for PEP (Primary Exit Profile). But a lot of times it's too much, too late. So we are saying, let's take one year with them to prepare them for their exit year, so when they come into grade six, they are fully ready to take on the challenges of PEP and the pressure that comes with it," he said.