The Portage la Prairie School Division is expressing support and solidarity after a violent attack at a Brandon high school sent shockwaves across the province.
At around 1:15 p.m. Tuesday, Brandon Police responded to an emergency at Neelin High School involving two male youths. A 15-year-old student was seriously injured in the incident and taken to hospital in stable condition. A 16-year-old suspect was taken into custody within minutes and now faces several charges, including attempted murder.
Portage la Prairie School Division Superintendent Pamela Garnham says safety remains top of mind locally.
“The safety and well-being of our students and staff is always our highest priority within our division,” she notes. “We take a comprehensive approach to school safety that includes both physical security measures and proactive training.”
Garnham says all exterior school doors in the division remain locked throughout the day with controlled access systems in place. She adds that staff are trained in violent threat risk assessment, or VTRA, which helps them recognize concerning behaviour and respond quickly.
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Collaboration with community emphasized
The superintendent says VTRA training isn’t done in isolation, it’s built on local partnerships.
“This training emphasizes collaboration with community partners to maintain a safe and supportive learning environment,” she adds.
She says support doesn’t stop at the classroom door and points to the importance of communication between staff, families and the broader community.
“We also recognize that school safety is a shared responsibility,” Garnham continues. “Parents and teachers are essential partners in this work. When they notice changes in a child's baseline behavior, their observations can be crucial in helping us intervene early and appropriately.”
Looking to community to help report concerns
When asked if any lessons or reminders could be drawn from the Brandon situation, Garnham says the division relies on more than just school staff to help prevent violence.
“We are looking constantly, watching, trying to be aware of changes in children's baseline behaviors,” she remarks. “So, if someone in the community notices something, if they inform the RCMP or inform the school division, it's always that active communication between the division, the RCMP and the community as a whole.”
Ongoing investigation in Brandon
Brandon Police Chief Tyler Bates says a student was able to bring a sword into the school before being apprehended minutes later by officers using a conducted energy weapon. The school was placed under immediate lockdown and students were dismissed early.
Bates praises both the school’s staff and his officers, stating, “They ran towards the threat, risking their own safety with both composure and care. These officers' actions were nothing short of courageous and averted what could have been a far more tragic outcome.”
The suspect’s motive remains under investigation.
Garnham says the Portage division is thinking of those impacted.
“At this time, our thoughts are with the families, students and staff of the Brandon School Division,” she says. “We recognize the emotional impact events like this have on our broader educational community.”
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