West Terrace Primary surpasses national 11-plus averages

est Terrace Primary School has outperformed the national average in both English and Mathematics in this year’s Barbados Secondary Schools’ Entrance Examination (BSSEE), according to Principal Ingrid Lashley.

All 91 students who sat the exam were allotted places at secondary schools, with marks ranging from 243.51 C to 132.74 E.

Speaking at the school’s graduation ceremony held at the University of the West Indies Cave Hill Campus, Lashley revealed that West Terrace achieved an average of 71.6 per cent in English compared to the national mean of 59.4 per cent, and 62.5 per cent in Mathematics against the national average of 54.2 per cent.

“These results have been particularly pleasing,” Lashley told attendees. “A total of 91 students – 48 boys, 43 girls – took the examination this academic year, and their performance was beyond expectations.”

The principal revealed that out of this year’s graduating class, 19 students are going to Queen’s College, 15 students to Alexandra, eight students to Ellerslie School, seven students each to Coleridge and Parry and Combermere School, six students to Lester Vaughan, four students to Frederick Smith, three students each to Harrison College, Parkinson Memorial, and Springer Memorial, and one student each to Christ Church Foundation, Daryll Jordan Secondary, Grantley Adams Memorial, The Lodge School, St George Secondary, St Leonard’s, The St Michael School, and Princess Margaret Secondary.

Nicol Best and Abigail Durant were named top boy and top girl, respectively.

Addressing the graduating class, Lashley encouraged them to face new challenges head-on as they transition to secondary education.

“As you move onto the new adventure of secondary school, I want to say to you, ‘remember to always stand for truth; be diligent, be courteous, always believe in yourself’,” she advised. “Remember that you have the power to say no. You will be in institutions where temptations arise; you have the power of choice. Be that unique gemstone and shine as bright as you can.”

Lashley concluded by congratulating the class, describing them as “exceptional” and urging them to make the most of every opportunity in their new educational environments.