Jamaica Gleaner

Dinthill past students share knowledge at Boys’ Day

- Rasbert Turner/Gleaner Writer editorial@gleanerjm.com

DINTHILL TECHNICAL High School in St Catherine has embarked upon a proactive approach to strengthen­ing the resolve and determinat­ion of its male student population.

The 86-year-old institutio­n was abuzz with activity on March 6, as past students gathered for the annual Boys’ Day that saw them interactin­g with the students and imparting knowledge to the male cohort.

Boys’ Day was held under the theme ‘Dare to be different, there is a purpose in me’.

The men, enraptured by the occasion, were taught coping skills, entreprene­urship grooming, courtship, investment stocks and money management among other skills, which would enure to their benefit.

“It is a meaningful contributi­on to the overall developmen­t of our male student body, as many feel defeated by their environmen­t, therefore I do believe this interventi­on will help,” said Damion Martin, head boy at the school.

Principal Anthony Garwood said the approach was conceptual­ised to help the boys focus more.

“We realise over time that the males are settling for less than deserved. With our curriculum and value-added programme we realise that empowermen­t starts with the belief that they are good as anyone, so this is work in progress. See them grow in the belief that they are good as anyone,” Garwood said.

For Guidance Councillor Mark Auguste, surveys conducted revealled that the males need to be rescued from their situations.

“This is our second such activity of its type here. It is timely and relevant, as many of these boys react negatively to their reality. The sadness sometimes even results in fights, as they lash out at the situation, where many are without fathers in the households. This is to allow them access to realise their true potential and the best example is to have resource personnel impart knowledge of survival to them,” Auguste said.

Joseph Small, president of the Dinthill Past Students Associatio­n, endorsed the occasion.

“We have seen this school evolve from an agrarian institutio­n to its current, which is academical­ly based. I am proud to be a past student and am even more pleased to see that a positive approach is being undertaken for them (students) to maximise their potential,” Small said.

Guest speaker Pastor Courtney Morrison engaged the audience with an interactiv­e contributi­on under the acronym S.H.A.V.E. – Story, Honour, Achievemen­t, Vision and Excellence.

Morrison told the students to believe in themselves, be responsibl­e and achieve their goals through conscienti­ous effort.

The consensus was that it is an approach that is being endorsed for years to come.

Dinthill, which has an enrolment of 1,432 students with a 42 per cent, or 601 male population, started in 1938 as an agricultur­ebased institutio­n.

 ?? ?? Craig Richards and Mark Auguste flank principal Anthony Garwood of Dinthill Technical High School on March 6.
Craig Richards and Mark Auguste flank principal Anthony Garwood of Dinthill Technical High School on March 6.
 ?? ?? Pastor Courtney Morrison at the Dinthill Technical High on March 5,2024.
Pastor Courtney Morrison at the Dinthill Technical High on March 5,2024.
 ?? PHOTOS BY RASBERT TURNER ?? A section of the boys in the audience at Dinthill.
PHOTOS BY RASBERT TURNER A section of the boys in the audience at Dinthill.
 ?? ?? Dinthill Head Boy Damion Martin.
Dinthill Head Boy Damion Martin.

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