It was a proud moment for the Class 4 students of the St Judes’s Primary School when they graduated on Tuesday, signalling the beginning of a new chapter of their lives.
They were showered with prizes, cheers and applause for their performance in the Barbados Secondary School Entrance Examination, referred to as the 11-plus. The small St George primary school scored above the national average in both the English and Mathematics papers.
During the graduation ceremony held at the St Jude’s Anglican Church rectory, featured speaker Dabrianna Hinkson imparted some sound advice to the graduates.
The past student and small business owner, who is currently pursuing a degree at the University of the West Indies, Cave Hill campus, encouraged the students to stay strong and avoid peer pressure.
Sharing her personal experiences, Hinkson said that for several years she had lived a life of pleasing others and developed a low self esteem. She said she constantly changed her hairstyles to fit in and had body dysphoria problems. She struggled with mental health problems and became codependent on medication.
After being involved in an accident and finding out her beloved grandmother was diagnosed with cancer, Hinkson said she decided to start living life for herself. She developed a stronger relationship with God, started journaling and doing things and surrounding herself with people who made her feel happy.
In delivering remarks, Dwight Sutherland, the member of parliament for St George South, told the parents that Government alone could not handle the issue of deviance among young people. He said parents had to play an active role in curbing the problem.
Sutherland said too many young men were being incarcerated and urged the parents to get more involved in their children’s life beyond primary school.
“Don’t take your foot off the pedal,” he said.
Seventeen students graduated from St Jude’s Primary. The Theme of the ceremony was, Amidst the Challenge: Rise! The Sky is the Limit.
Cassidy Goodridge, who will be attending Harrison College in September, was recognised as the most outstanding female student, and Mekhi Domingo, the top male student, will attend The St Michael School, fulfilling his now deceased grandmother’s wish.
