KC says Grade 9 students in viral video were trying to help, not bully

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Kingston College (KC) says two Grade 9 students seen holding a Grade 7 student over a stairwell in a viral video were trying to help him and were not bullying, intimidating or attempting to harm him. In a letter to parents and guardians dated September 30, Principal Dave Myrie said the school had completed a comprehensive investigation into the incident and found that there was “absolutely no bullying involved”.

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The investigation included a review of available video footage, written reports from the students involved, interviews with students and relevant persons, discussions with staff, communication with parents and meetings with the students and their parents. The school also said the matter was reviewed with relevant external agencies and personnel. According to the school, the evidence did not establish that the Grade 9 students were bullying, intimidating, attacking or attempting to harm the Grade 7 student. “On the contrary, the evidence established that the Grade 9 students were trying to help him and prevent him from coming to harm in what was a concerning and potentially dangerous situation,” the school said. KC said the students had subsequently been portrayed as “villains” through comments and interpretations arising from the circulation of the video, but said that portrayal was not supported by the findings of its investigation. “The school wishes to place on record that the Grade 9 students were trying to assist their fellow student, and Kingston College has applauded and commended them for their efforts to help,” the letter said. The school also investigated a separate allegation that the Grade 7 student had been bullied by a boy in his class. According to KC, meetings were held with the relevant students, their parents and the form teacher, but the investigation found “absolutely no evidence of bullying”. The form teacher reportedly told the school that no concern or report of bullying involving the student had been brought to his attention since the start of the school year. KC also said no complaint or report of bullying concerning the student had been made to the school before the incident. The school urged parents and guardians to use established communication channels to report concerns involving students so they can be properly documented, assessed and addressed. It also appealed to parents and guardians to refrain from making public comments or sharing conclusions about incidents involving students before the facts have been established and an investigation completed. “A short video or partial account rarely provides the full context of an incident,” the school said, warning that premature comments and social media posts can result in students being wrongly accused, unfairly labelled or subjected to public criticism. KC further appealed to students and members of the wider school community not to record, share, repost or otherwise circulate videos involving students in vulnerable, sensitive or potentially distressing circumstances. The school said it would not disclose further personal information about the matter because of confidentiality and the protection and dignity of the students involved. The incident had previously prompted the school to issue a statement after video of the Grade 7 student being held by two other students over a railing circulated online. At the time, the school said it was conducting an investigation and appealed to the school community not to share or repost the footage. “Please allow us to establish the facts before conclusions are reached publicly,” the school said.