QC students performed well amid COVID-19 challenges

By Anesta Henry

Queen’s College recorded outstanding achievements in every area of activity, in academic years 2020-2022, despite a challenging COVID-19 learning environment.

This was highlighted by Principal Dr David Browne as he delivered his report at the annual speech day and prize giving ceremony at the Husbands, St James institution on Tuesday.

Mentioning the challenges posed by the pandemic from March 2020 to present, Dr Browne said the on-and-off, stop-and-start nature of the hybrid schedule frustrated both students and teachers, with some children experiencing difficulties with online instruction. 

He said even though the face-to-face learning environment has resumed, the lingering issues that became evident during the pandemic must still be carefully monitored and addressed. 

Dr Browne reported that the results of the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) Caribbean Secondary Examination Certificate (CSEC) exams were quite impressive for the academic year 2020-2022, with an average of 165 students taking the examinations in the 21 subject areas offered by the school.

“Seven subjects gained 100 per cent, eight got more than a 90 per cent pass rate. The overall pass rate was approximately 90.8 per cent. Across subject areas, we secured 282 grade ones, 406 grade twos and 286 grade threes. 

“I want to emphasise that a total of 688 passes at grade one and two is truly fulfilling our drive for quality academic success launched in 2012. Each student required a minimum of eight subject areas and almost everyone passed five or more,” the principal said, adding that all fourth form students who sat the CXC English A and Mathematics examinations for the outlined time period passed.

Reporting that the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) results were even more outstanding, Dr Browne said Queen’s College achieved 100 per cent passes in a number of subjects with the majority of the subject areas recording a pass rate of above 80 per cent. He said that as a result of their excellent performance over the two-year review period, 16 candidates were awarded Barbados Government Scholarships and 17 received Exhibitions. 

“In . . . Unit 1 and 2 of the CAPE examinations over the period 2020-2022, there were a total of 745 grade 1, 516 grade 2 and 609 grade 3,” he said.

The principal also shared that over the academic years 2020 to 2022, some 40 students gained Caribbean Vocational Qualification (CVQ) passes.

Though unable to present the full slate of students who have achieved certification during the ceremony, Dr Browne singled out Jamie Branson who appeared as the number one student across the region in the Unit 1 component of the Building and Mechanical Engineering Drawing exams for 2022. Branson also achieved full certification in the occupational area of General Construction Level 1 CVQ.

“This achievement speaks to how we have sought to pair CVQ qualifications with the traditional programmes, leading not just to certification in both areas but also to the development of a student who is better able to use and apply knowledge gained in the classroom. This was demonstrated when the deputy principal Dr Foster and I had the opportunity to witness the presentation of designs for a cosmetology lab”.

Dr Browne also announced that the Queens College Sports Facility has been completed. He said the keys were handed over to him on Monday. 

The principal also disclosed that Queens College was the first secondary school in Barbados to be approved as a Prior Learning Assessment Recognition (PLAR) and was in the process of certifying individuals who have gained experience, knowledge, and attitudes in occupational areas but may be lacking formal certification. 

During Tuesday’s ceremony, scores of students were awarded for their outstanding performance in academic studies and other areas. 

anestahenry@barbadostoday.bb