Warrens’ pupils do well despite many challenges

The hard work and dedication the graduating class of the Warrens Primary School put in to excel in their studies and pass the Barbados Secondary School Entrance Examination was all worth it in the end.

Principal Kim Davis-Edwards and featured speaker Senator Reverend Dr John Rogers reminded the students of this on Sunday during the school’s graduation ceremony held at the St George Parish Church, The Glebe, St George.

In their remarks, both speakers told the students that the difficulty of their trials in life made their success even sweeter. Davis-Edwards said she was proud of how far the students had come in their primary school education especially as COVID-19 created a tough learning environment.

“The Tassel was Worth the Hassle is the theme for the graduating class 2022. There were many hassles to endure not only in the final stages of preparing for the Barbados Secondary School Entrance Examination but also leading to it. The graduating class of 2022 is a resilient group of students.

They kept their eyes on the prize and did not falter despite the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic which robbed them of face-to-face learning. On the onset of the pandemic the graduating class was in class 2, which gave them four out of the nine terms of learning in the physical classroom to cover the foundational work necessary for the common entrance,” she said.

“Teaching and learning online is not an easy task. There were many hurdles to overcome. Learning a new platform; connectivity issues; personal devices with their challenges; remaining focused;resisting the urge to play games online during class; and bringing one self to the understanding that school is in session in the coffer of one’s home. . .”

Davis-Edwards added that she was also pleased to see the students who were not confident in their capabilities, work their way to the front of the class by adopting a positive and determined mindset.

In his speech, Rogers told the students to always remember how they overcame the challenges of the past years whenever they found themselves in a hard situation at their new school.

He added that in their life journey there will be many more obstacles but God was preparing them for unseen difficulties, while teaching them the importance of sacrifice, faith and hope.

The graduating class of 2022 are: Ciara Baptiste; Zion Barrow; Ashriel Bernabé; Dafina Bryan; Ché’ Cumberbatch; Nhya Doughlin; Jelani Gamble; Nyasia Grant-Holder; Jordan John; Aidan Niles; Cyah Parris; Amaiah Pollard; Zada Reid ; and Sanaa Warner.

Four of the students are off to Queen’s College in September; two to Harrison College; two to Combermere; two to The Lodge School; one to The Alexandra School; and the other to Springer Memorial. In the common entrance exam, the school’s overall average in mathematics was
90.4 and 88.2 in English. (SB)