‘Unsound’ man throws rocks at students

A “man of unsound mind” threw rocks at students who provoked him on Friday at St. George’s Primary School, according to a letter the school sent parents the same day.

“During lunch break today, while the students were on the playfield with a teacher supervising them, a man of unsound mind was in the bushes,” stated the letter, which was signed by acting Principal Jenniffer Wordsworth-Freso.

“The students interfered with him, and in retaliation he threw stones at them. This then led to an exchange of stone throwing.”

A parent told the Beacon that some students were hit with stones and Ms. Wordsworth-Freso did not dispute that account, but police said no injuries were reported.

Cops called

After the incident, the school called the police, who searched the area but were unable to locate the man, the principal stated in the letter. She added that police planned to perform “regular checks” over the weekend and throughout this week until he is found and given “the care he needs.”

In the meantime, Ms. Wordsworth-Freso asked parents to urge their children to refrain from interfering with the man if they see him again.

“We will be extra careful to ensure the safety of each student while on campus,” the letter added.

Still at large

By Monday afternoon, the man was still at large and the school was waiting to hear back from the police, the acting principal told the Beacon.

“The matter is in their hands,” she said. “They’re dealing with it right now.”

On Tuesday afternoon, Police Information Officer Akia Thomas-Nero said an investigation was ongoing.

Meanwhile, Ms. Wordsworth-Freso told the Beacon that the school’s students are under constant supervision.

“We have our cameras up, and the students are always supervised in the classroom and out of the classroom, even when they are at play and when they go to the washroom,” she said. “So when the children come out to go to the washroom, the teachers come out and they supervise them.”

Ms. Wordsworth-Freso added that the Friday incident was a first for the school.