Sudden Closure of St Andrew’s School Amid Allegations of Abuse

Published June 7, 2025, 8:27 AM

Teachers and parents were left stunned yesterday after Andrea Walter, principal of St. Andrew’s School, notified staff that the school would be closing its doors with immediate effect. The abrupt announcement has sparked outrage and confusion, with many linking the closure to a long-standing dispute over unpaid wages and recent union involvement.

According to multiple sources within the school, teachers have been battling for years to recover wages that were allegedly cut by Principal Walter without their knowledge or consent. After receiving no resolution, staff turned to union representation, which reportedly led to a legal judgment requiring Walter to reimburse the affected teachers for back pay.

Rather than complying, insiders say she has retaliated by creating a hostile work environment, spreading misinformation, and making working conditions intolerable.

Tensions escalated further following the return of Walter’s daughter, Marissa Walter, who joined the school’s staff after moving back to Antigua. Her presence, according to several teachers and parents, has resulted in chaos throughout the school community. Marissa has been accused of physically assaulting teachers, destroying their personal belongings, and blocking them from basic necessities such as restroom access. Parents have also reported hostile encounters, including verbal and physical altercations on school grounds.

“She’s made this place a battlefield,” one teacher stated anonymously. “We dedicate ourselves to the children, go above and beyond every day, and in return, we’re treated like we don’t matter.”

Many families have withdrawn their children due to the turmoil, with enrollment numbers reportedly dropping significantly since Marissa Walter became involved in school operations. Community members describe the environment as toxic and unstable, with some referring to Marissa as “out of control” and “unfit to work around children.”

The school’s abrupt closure has left both staff and students in limbo, raising concerns about lost income, disrupted education, and lack of accountability.

This story was first published by Antigua News on June 7, 2025 at 8:27 AM (Antigua time, UTC−4): antigua.news/2025/06/07/sudden-closure-of-st-andrews-school-amid-allegations-of-abuse. © 2025 Antigua News. Republication without permission is not allowed.

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Shermain Bique-Charles

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Comments (39)

Awakened June 7, 2025, 8:37 AM

Government should just hire those teachers and leave those toxic people with their school
Reply
- Anonymous June 7, 2025, 12:25 PM
  
  Listen here now. I am a grade five student of St Andrews school. I would not really know about those “budget cuts” you are mentioning because I am a student and not a worker. But one thing I am certain about is that there is NO abuse at the school. This article is OUTRAGEOUS.
  Reply
- Yvette June 7, 2025, 3:19 PM
  
  What happens to the government welfare, and the education minister. Sorry for the students teachers parents affected, they are for the streets with their hostile behavior, the children and everyone under the mother daughter manipulative control is a direct effect on the mental health, they teachers students parents needs counseling govt should take in those teachers why are they silent
  Reply
- Awakened June 7, 2025, 7:08 PM
  
  I graduated from st andrews and not once has miss walter ever abused me or my class so this is Outrageous
  Reply
- Marrisa supporter June 7, 2025, 7:21 PM
  
  Im a grade 4 student and i must say she encouraged us to be better 5th grader in the future so i will stand strong by her side until the end of this battle. FIGHTING.
  Reply
- Old Student June 8, 2025, 1:47 AM
  
  I Attended the St.Andrews Primary School from the the 2014-2021 And From Experience the school was perfectly fine until Marissa Walter arrived in about 2016 after she after she made it hell for us students She would a yell at us
  She was in a verbally abused a teacher in front of me tell the teacher to find a new job and 2 weeks later the teacher left due to unpaid wages and the now hostile work environment All I’m saying is that it is no surprise because this has been going on for years and years and only now this is being brought to light The Government need to do Better.
  Reply
- Anonymous June 8, 2025, 1:49 AM
  
  She would not that yell at us, She cuss out a student and also liked to hit as well
  Reply
- Unruly One June 8, 2025, 3:47 AM
  
  Talking bout Grade 5 student! Oh please! This is a really sad situation!
  Reply
- Kerah June 8, 2025, 10:03 AM
  
  There has been abuse for Marissa Walter since I was there as a student in 2018 and 2019
  Reply
Faithful National June 7, 2025, 9:01 AM

I am shocked that there isn’t a louder public outcry over this embarrassing and undermining situation for the Educational system in Antigua and Barbuda. Where is the Ministry of Education? Where is the Labor Department? Why are we prepared to take abuse?
Reply
Faithful National #1 June 7, 2025, 10:10 AM

While the government must and will be involved in this matter, it’s a teaching moment for teachers. Before plunging to their deaths at the prompting of the idiotic thrill seeking, dunce Union “leaders” they perhaps should have considered the ramifications of their actions. Unions can smash up but are total wastes when it comes to rebuilding, confirmation, and progress.
Reply
- Faithful National #1 June 7, 2025, 10:12 AM
  
  * consultation not confirmation. (correction)
  Reply
- MissiePie June 7, 2025, 4:44 PM
  
  You’re such a busy body! Your good ideas always get lost in political sniping! You need to stop it!!! You need to change that name too…faithful national to Fulfill Labourite.
  Reply
Grade 5 student June 7, 2025, 11:18 AM

I am a student there and Marissa Walter has made all of our lives a living hell. She is really toxic and I’m sure alot of students have atleast a little trauma from her ( including me ) . It will be hard to find a new school because most schools don’t take students into grade six. I have also been at this school for more than half of my life and I have many memories and friends Me and my friends are trying to go to the same schools our patents need to discuss this further.
Reply
- Student June 7, 2025, 12:25 PM
  
  There was no abuse who ever wrote this did not hear from an actual student 🤦‍♀️
  Reply
- Mark June 7, 2025, 6:12 PM
  
  The comments online reflect different #justicemustbeserved
  Reply
- Black Beauty June 7, 2025, 7:23 PM
  
  Did they say students were abused, or was it teachers. Please be quiet if you don’t know.
  Reply
Save the Children June 7, 2025, 11:39 AM

I enrolled my son in this school after covid when school’s reopened and I withdrew him from there in a month because there was a sudden drop in my son’s performance academically. After having a conversation with my son I realised a lot was going on there it’s not Marissa alone teacher bullies are there as well. Horrible school!!! best they stay shut and save the children
Reply
Student of St Andrew’s June 7, 2025, 11:49 AM

I am a student from the school just leaving,I have been harassed and traumatized and verbally abused by Ms Marissa Walter, I am glad no one else will have this experience, she has been tormenting kids but not in front of parents.when confronted she has this toxic attitude as if she can do whatever, she treats the kids bad because she thinks they are below her especially when no parent or parents are around.
Reply
- Sojourner Truth June 7, 2025, 4:35 PM
  
  This is clearly not a student…just as a comment above that is expressing conflicting experience and opinion. Parents, please engage and express your concerns like an adult should. ..not sure that using a child’s personna carries the weight you intended. It’s a very serious matter…you can advocate for your child by expressing your thoughts about the school in an adult way….taking ownership for your thoughts!
  Reply
- Adam June 7, 2025, 6:09 PM
  
  Andrea and Marrissa Walter Principals of St Andrews Primary School needs to pay the teachers what they own them #justice
  Reply
- Lala June 8, 2025, 12:02 PM
  
  As a parent of a student there i had my fare share of back and forth with her because she was very disrespectful. If she can do that with parents I’m not surprised what she can do to other students. She had no business being around kids
  Reply
Former St. Andrew's Student June 7, 2025, 12:18 PM

Even though it has been a few considerable years since I left the primary school, I can firmly say that the statement of Marissa Walter’s being problematic and being unsafe towards children is very much true as I was attending the school when she had returned and I was personally a victim of such behavior from her. It’s a shame to see and hear that her behavior has remained consistent since 2015-2016, it’s an absolute shame. Furthermore,her behavior and such was a major reason for great teachers of St. Andrew’s leaving the school.
Reply
Antigua Surf June 7, 2025, 12:43 PM

Sad that such a thing is happening in our education system! While the school may be private, the government still has some responsibility and we need to hear from them
Reply
- Elfish June 7, 2025, 1:28 PM
  
  Everything the glitter is not gold
  Reply
- Shocked June 7, 2025, 1:32 PM
  
  What is the Ministry of Edudation doing about this? How can a school put these children through that and still continue to operate? I read the comments about the past students. I’m happy they decided to come forward with their situations. This is brave
  Reply
- Concerned Observer Adrian S. June 8, 2025, 12:54 PM
  
  While I don’t know if the allegations against this school and its owners are indeed totally true, I’m amazed at the significant disparity and polarization of opinions. It is quite obvious that many to the negative comments written students was done so by adults. I cannot speak of verbal abuse, but If indeed there was physical abuse of teachers and students where is the police reports? I suggest that people get all fact first. Let the investigation happen and get a final report before we pontificate as to what punishments should be handed out. For those who claim to be victims it is strange that you are anomous! Red flag!! Shall we wait and see what is true and what’s not or shall we continue to spread disinformation, lies, half truths to serve whatever agenda each of these indi ideals have. As an aside the person in Mrs Andrea Walter’s described above has not been my personal experience. Let the investigation run its course unhindered and untainted.
  Reply
Rurthina June 7, 2025, 3:21 PM

My children went to that school 30 years ago and did well. The principal at the time loved children. She was loving and caring. When her daughter took over all hell broke loooooosseeee. Clearly she did not take a leaf from her mother. She came from university and ran the school like a business. It was no longer about caring for the education of these children. It’s sad that the school has to close down but clearly it’s for the best. I hope this woman never have to deal with children again.
Reply
- Angry parent June 8, 2025, 1:31 PM
  
  Observer S Adrian S Coolidge police station has all the reports contact them if you need confirmation!! This has been an ongoing problem both parents and teachers have police reports at that police station in particular the ministers of education knows many parents have petitioned is funny that we need evidence to believe what majority of people have gone through justifying the oppressor the truth will be revealed in due course
  Reply
Stone June 7, 2025, 3:31 PM

school children don’t lie something is definitely wrong and some deeper digging needs to be done. you can’t have people like that teaching in our schools
Reply
YOU CANT BULLY EVERYONE ! June 7, 2025, 4:48 PM

Marissa has been like this since St andrews was next to public works always feel she can bully peoples children because he mother owned the school. I can only imagine it got worst when she was placed in charge because i saw a bit of it when my child was leaving there a few yrs ago but i thank god it was the last year cause…… #sheisaPIG
Reply
Anonymous June 7, 2025, 4:50 PM

Y o of my kids didn’t terms there, we withdrew them early before leaving Antigua because the school was strange. Poor teachers, strange reporting that didn’t add up, never any PE lessons and Marissa was basically an arrogant witch.
When you complain her mother defended her every time but Marissa is rude, arrogant and seems to have emotional issues.
Reply
Ben Simmons June 7, 2025, 6:19 PM

This is shocking to the point where I cannot even concentrate. I had a feeling something was wrong at the place. I got a bad vibes few months ago after speaking to a certain person there. Abuse? Spirits can tell. I hope she never opens that school again. Parents should sue her for damaging their children
Reply
Dd June 7, 2025, 11:38 PM

Marrissa is a mad woman need to keep taking her pills way too long people have been suffering in silence
Reply
Justice for St Andrews Teachers June 7, 2025, 11:41 PM

Anyone who sit back and defend this fool called Marrissa need help as well she’s an animal that should not be around our children rather worse humans m!!!
Reply
Victory belongs to Jesus June 8, 2025, 1:34 PM

Marissa Walter will pay in Jesus Name
Reply
The three a's June 8, 2025, 5:05 PM

I am so angry that you all are framing her
Reply
Vincent June 8, 2025, 9:22 PM

Jailtime for that woman. Aint no way this could be real
Reply
Juju Bee June 9, 2025, 10:11 AM

You know what they say a 1000 Frenchmen can’t be wrong. I keep hearing that since the daughter came back it’s been a very toxic work environment
Reply

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