ST ANN, Jamaica – Some 50 students at Chalky Hill Primary and Infant School have been donned Irie Stars Peacemakers following a collaborative initiative led by the Violence Prevention Alliance (VPA) and the Sandals Foundation to mark National Peace Day.

The event, which also marked the official opening of the school’s newly installed IRIE Peace Garden by the Sandals Foundation, sought to reinforce positive values and peaceful behaviours among students, under the national theme, “Rebuild Jamaica Piece by Peace”.

Valued at approximately $200,000, the peace garden has strengthened the school’s efforts to create a positive and nurturing environment for students. Equipped with seating area and a vibrant mural, the space has provided children with a dedicated location to engage in reflection, teamwork, de-escalate conflicts, and engage in environmental stewardship.

On Tuesday, March 3, the school community recognised the  50 students through the “Irie Stars Peacemaker” Awards Ceremony commending  pupils who consistently model positive behaviour in keeping with the school’s core values. Each awardee received specially designed “Irie Stars Peacemaker” buttons to proudly wear all year.

Patricia Pottinger Bailey, guidance counsellor at the school, says the awards form part of the school’s IRIE initiative, strategically designed from the School-Wide Positive Behaviour Intervention and Support.

“The IRIE Peacemaker Award recognises students who have exhibited their IRIE behaviour,” she said. “IRIE is our core value; it is a behaviour change plan that we have put in place to see positive outcomes.”

IRIE -an acronym representing Industrious, Respectful, Intelligent and Educated- Pottinger Bailey says, are values the school expects students to demonstrate daily.

“What does respect look like in the lunch line? “What does respect look like in the classroom?” she asked. “Their parents are also encouraged to reinforce these values at home. At the Parent- Teachers’ Association meetings, parents are sensitised about our core values for the programme to be effective.”

According to Pottinger Bailey, the Peace Day awards go beyond recognising conflict resolution, but looks at the holistic development of students.

Christine Badal McBean, principal of Chalky Hill Primary and Infant School welcomed the partnership and emphasised the importance of instilling peaceful values from an early age.

“Peace is not something we speak about only on one day; it must be practised daily in our classrooms, on our playground and in our homes,” the principal said. “Activities like these help our students to understand that their choices matter. When they choose respect, hard work and kindness, they are helping to rebuild Jamaica, piece by piece.”

For Jonelle Llewellyn, research associate at the VPA, the observance forms part of the organisation’s ongoing work to cultivate peaceful norms in schools and communities.

“National Peace Day provides an opportunity to intentionally highlight and reward positive behaviour,”  Llewellyn noted. “When we recognise children for being respectful, mindful and stewards of change, we are helping to shape a culture where peace becomes the standard, not the exception.”