CLARENDON, Jamaica — Students at Edwin Allen High School gathered quietly in their quadrangle on Monday, their faces heavy with grief as they mourned the loss of a grade nine schoolmate.

Fourteen-year-old Jaydon Smith died after a single-vehicle crash on the Chapelton main road in Clarendon Sunday night while travelling with a relative. He was taken to the hospital but did not survive.

The deceased is not to be confused with 14-year-old Jayden Smith, a student of Manchester High School, who remains missing.

On Monday, the school’s behaviour management and student services team, including guidance counsellors, the dean of discipline, Health and Family Life Education (HFLE) teachers, and the school nurse, held a grief-counselling devotional session for all students on campus.

Because of the rotational system currently in place due to damage from Hurricane Melissa, only upper-school students were present.

Principal Jermaine Harris told Observer Online that the school is now providing psychosocial support to both students and staff.

— Dana Malcolm

Jermaine Harris, Principal of Edwin Allen High School speaking to the Observer.

Students of Edwin Allen gather for grief counselling following the death of their schoolmate 14-year old Jaydon Smith not to be confused with 14-year old Jayden Smith, who went missing in Friday September 26.