Combermere students’ achievements celebrated

It was a day of reflection, celebration and inspiration as the Combermere School honoured its students’ achievements for 2023/2024.

Under the theme Continuing the Tradition of Excellence, the school held its annual speech day and prize-giving ceremony, at the campus on Friday, celebrating academic excellence and sporting achievements, even as it looked forward to a future of continued success.

Ryan Brathwaite, chief executive officer of Ticket Linkz and Hackleton Construction, himself a former Combermere head boy in delivering the feature address, reminded students that excellence is not determined by privilege, wealth, or social connections, but by “character, ability, and commitment to values”.

Making it clear that “excellence is not perfection” but “a commitment to constant growth,” Brathwaite urged students to embrace challenges, learn from their failures, and constantly strive to become the best version of themselves.

“Excellence is who we are, but it is evident in all that we do,” Brathwaite said. “Combermere is more than just a school; it is a tradition, a legacy, a family. Today, we reflect on the theme of Continuing the Tradition of Excellence, and we are reminded of the profound responsibility we all share to carry this theme forward.”

Chairman of the school’s Board of Management Captain Rev Al Walcott in his welcome remarks spoke of the importance of celebrating the hard work and dedication of students. He, however, reminded the students that their achievements, thus far, are not the end, but rather a foundation for even greater success.

“It is a time of celebration where we honour the students who have worked extremely hard in developing their academic careers,” he said. “I pray that this will not be the end of your endeavours to reach high academic standings but a platform upon which you can continue to build and build towards developing a life of achievement, value, and success.”

Principal Robin Douglas reflected on the students’ achievements of the past year.

In his principal’s report, he highlighted the school’s academic achievements for the 2023-2024 year.

At the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) level, Principal Douglas stated that the school offered 23 subjects and had an overall pass rate of 82 per cent. Notably, 15 per cent of students earned Grade l passes, while 37 per cent achieved Grade ll passes. Furthermore, he said, subjects such as Industrial Technology, Physical Education & Sport, and Theatre Arts achieved a perfect pass rate of 100 per cent.

At the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) level, Combermere achieved a 94 per cent overall pass rate across 26 subjects. Out of 45 units offered, 36 had pass rates above 80 per cent, with 21 of those units receiving 100 per cent passes.

In addition to academic triumphs, Combermere’s sporting achievements for the year were a source of pride for the entire school community. The school dominated the Barbados Secondary Schools’ Athletic Championship (BSSACC) 2024, emerging as double champions. They also performed admirably in netball, cricket, and football.

Looking ahead, Principal Douglas said, the faculty will continue to prioritise the growth and development of students, striving to provide them with the tools they need.

“Combermere School continues to move forward with the mission to facilitate student achievement to their greatest potential,” Douglas said. “We will ensure that the tradition of excellence at Combermere is emblazoned upon the fabric of the Barbadian spirit, that it continues its contribution to society in this new world. . .”

Before the ceremony began, the school’s Steel Orchestra played a selection of popular hits creating a vibrant and celebratory atmosphere that had the audience tapping their feet in rhythm. There were a number of other performances by students, including dance and song.