‘It’s Better to Build Boys than to Mend Men’ is the sobering thought behind the ‘Big Brother’ Programme launched at the Vivien Vanterpool Primary School on 9th February. It is an expression of the Child Friendly School (CFS) initiative.
Deputy Head Teacher Ms Tiffany Thomas is the force behind the programme being launched by the school. She thinks that the 11 boys participating in it would respond positively to the influence of male mentors, in a greater measure than has been experienced to date when using other methods.
The staff at the school was involved in the choosing of the mentors – from the community – who all willing agreed to serve. The 12 mentors from a wide cross-section of the community will allow the children to benefit from different skills and perspectives. The mentors are Pastor Randy Isles-Carty (Educator), Andre Samuel (Youth Ambassador), Malcolm Webster ((Pathfinder Leader), Roger Smith (Parent), Paul Petty (Baker), Michael Fleming (prior active Big Brother), Officer Bess (Policeman), Shawn Lake (Policeman), Tyrone Brooks (Security, DJ), Pastor Phillip (Counsellor, Musician), John Martin (Games Instructor, Musician), and Winston Duncan (School Critical Friend). Michael Fleming reassured Teacher Tiffany that “you have the best to help these boys.”
The Big Brother Programme is limited to the school for the present. Every Tuesday one of the mentors will visit the school to meet with the boys. However, the assigned mentor for each child is welcome to visit the child at school at will.
Teacher Tiffany anticipates seeing a positive outcome and wishes that other schools would see it necessary to adopt the same programme. She also wishes to thank her community sponsors and looks forward to continued support for the children of the Vivien Vanterpool Primary School.
