MANDEVILLE, Manchester — It was just Monday of this week, according to acting principal of the Porus High School in Manchester, David Powell, that he offered commendations at the school’s devotion for what he said was a relatively incident-free school environment.

“We hadn’t had a fight or uproar in a while,” he told the

Jamaica Observer.However, that changed yesterday afternoon when a male third-form student was killed and another hospitalised, following a stabbing incident at the institution.One year and four months into his role as principal, Powell said that he was on a quest of “reforming and rebranding” the school.He said the educational institution has been doing “extremely well” as a result of initiatives in place to keep the students positively engaged.Last week, Powell said, students performed creditably at a Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) Gospel Festival.He said, too, that the school has been making strides, over time, and that is also reflected in its battle to cop third place in the spirited All Together Sing television competition, where high school choirs get a chance to showcase some of their best talents, in 2015.However, that trajectory has been derailed.The two students reportedly had an altercation and a pair of scissors was brought into play. Both of them reportedly inflicted wounds on each other and one has since died.The deceased boy has been identified by the police as Renardo Dixon. The incident reportedly occurred about 2:40 pm.“We are not prepared for something of this nature,” Powell said.He told the

Observer that the student who allegedly did the stabbing has been a disruptive force within the school.“The boy who allegedly did the stabbing is one we have been trying to expel for a while. He is very disruptive, very violent,” the acting principal said.He said the process was in train for his expulsion, as he believed he needed external counselling and a change of school environment.“This is a situation that no principal would want to happen under their watch. We want to express condolence to the parents and relatives of the deceased,” he said.Powell said a special devotion with counsellors from the Ministry of Education will be held at the school today.Meanwhile, police in Manchester are investigating the matter.