THE PRINCIPAL AND STAFF OF ST. STEPHEN'S COLLEGE HAVE FAILED 15-YEAR OLD JAYDEN LALCHAN!!!

On Wednesday 2nd October 2024, Jayden took his own life after suffering years of bullying from one particular student.  Despite Jayden's mom making reports to the school over a prolonged period, the school failed to take action to resolve the issue.  The principal and teachers have failed in their duty of care to protect Jayden.  They also failed to set an example or denounce or discourage bullying and discrimination of the students.  

To date [8th October 2024] no action has been taken by the school against the bully.  He continues to live his life under the protection of his parents who are allegedly prominent businesspeople in the area of Princes Town.

To date, the school published a generic statement on its Facebook page without acknowledging the issues and allegations.

The fear is that this issue will be swept under the rug.  And ultimately, the loss of Jayden will simply be another statistic and he will be forgotten about.  His bully would be able to live a life and would have escaped liability and accountability.  

We cannot allow Jayden's untimely passing to go for nothing!!!

Parents entrust their children into the care of the school.  This issue is important not only to hold accountable those who are responsible but to send a strong message that the school MUST protect all of its students moving forward.  Bullying is at an all time high more than ever before especially with Social Media.

JOIN ME AS WE TAKE ACTION AND SEND A STRONG MESSAGE TO THE ANGLIGAN BOARD THAT ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!!! WE WILL NOT TOLERATE OUR KIDS TO BE BULLIED FOR THINGS THEY CANNOT CONTROL OR FOR THINGS WHICH THEY CANNOT UNDERSTAND RIGHT NOW!!!

I am a past-pupil of St. Stephen's College.  I have a love-hate relationship with the school.  If you ask me which school I attended I would think twice about responding.  I was bullied from the time I entered to the time I left the school.  I was bullied about things I could not control or did not understand about myself back then.

I am not alone.  I speak for many, many, many past-students and present ones at our College when I say that I suffered immense psychological harm which took me many years to sort through.  

I witnessed other classmates at the time being bullied as well.  In cases where it became known to the teachers no measurable action was taken.  There were many many unreported instances of bullying taking place at the school at the time.

I hold the school complicit in the death of Jayden.

I remember Father Primus giving sermons that could seemingly endorse bullying.  I remember fellow-students giving daily sermons where it was used to indirectly bully other students in the morning assembly.   There was no system in place to vet the sermons before delivery.

This school has traumatized me and will continue to do so to other students unless we don't take action.

The intention is to collect as many signatures as we can and to submit it to the Board of St. Stephen's College, Princes Town.

I pray that you will give this Petition the support that it deserves.

Sincerely,

A past-student and bully-survivor!