MONTEGO BAY, St James – The Green Pond High school here suffered another financial setback yesterday as robbers made off with some J$500,000 worth of computers and other supplies.

Although the disheartening development resulted in the suspension of classes for the day, Principal Michael Ellis has vowed to rise above it.

“Obviously the members of staff and the students were in no frame of mind to continue normal school and hence the students were sent home, but we won’t be daunted by it. We will continue to teach because we have enough resources in place to continue the process,” Ellis told the Observer West.

Classes are expected to resume today.

Reports are that at about 12:10 am yesterday, about 12 men entered the school compound and tied up the watchman.

The men then proceeded to remove the door to the main entrance of the administrative block and entered the records room, computer laboratory, the bursars’ office, and the canteen.

According to Ellis, among the items stolen were three laptop computers; four desktop computer, three camcorders, a DVD player, and food items.

Yesterday’s break-in was the second in two years for the co-educational institution which opened in 2005.

“At that time though, it was not of that magnitude,” he remarked.

Meanwhile, Ellis has issued an impassionate appeal for “common sense to prevail”.

“I am appealing for common sense to prevail. Clearly when we do these things we are hurting ourselves and our children. I would prefer if we as a society think before we do things and understand that we cannot continue to operate in this type of threatening environment because our children stand to lose,” he argued.

Green Pond High, which is located in one of St James’ several crime-prone communities, has 46 teachers and 1,200 students on roll.