St Michael’s achieves best CSEC pass rate since pandemic year

The St Michael School has achieved its highest Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) pass rate in four years, with 89 per cent of students succeeding in their external exams, Principal Tanya Harding said on Friday.

The results were announced at the school’s annual Speech Day and Prize Giving Ceremony.

Held in the school’s assembly hall, the event celebrated the achievements of more than 100 students who excelled in academics, sports and other extracurricular activities during the 2023-24 academic year.

In her address, the principal commended the dedication of students and teachers, crediting their collective efforts.

“This year’s success is a testament to the resilience and dedication of our school community. We’ve faced challenges, but we’ve persevered,” she said.

The results were a highlight of the ceremony, with students excelling in 26 subjects.

Beaming with pride, Harding shared that 10 subjects, including English language, literature and information technology, achieved 100 per cent pass rates, while Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) students recorded 99 per cent passes in both Units 1 and 2.

Among the standout achievers were Zaria Flemming, who placed eighth on the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) regional merit list for English Literature, and former head girl Ava Haynes, who earned a coveted Barbados scholarship.

Bringing bold words of praise and upliftment was guest speaker Ryan Forde, chief executive officer of the Barbados Hotel and Tourism Association (BHTA) and a past student of St Michael School.

His address, titled Striving for Excellence, encouraged students to define their own success and embrace challenges.
Reflecting on his time at the school, Forde shared, “Excellence isn’t about perfect scores; it’s about finding fulfilment and making a difference.”

Forde also reflected on the distractions and pressures young people face, urging them to remain focused.

“As you move on in your lives, from form to form, school to school, and professional position to another, do not let outside ‘noise’ influence your steps to excellence,” he said. “Listen to it and decipher the message being delivered. If it is truly beneficial to you, your family, and Barbados, take it. You must determine what excellence means for you.”

The event also featured musical performances, showcasing the students’ artistic talents and further contributing to the vibrant atmosphere of the ceremony.

Sharing her hopes for another brilliant academic year ahead, Principal Harding noted the importance of building on the accomplishments and urged students to continue striving for success.

“This year was a good one, but we must keep building on this momentum for the future,” she said. (SM)