Bold, unstoppable St Mark’s Primary defy all odds

In a remarkable display of resilience and determination, the 2024 graduating class of St Mark’s Primary School demonstrated why they were considered to be bold, courageous and unstoppable. The group had defied expectations by achieving outstanding results in the Barbados Secondary School Entrance Examination (BSSEE).

The graduation ceremony, held at The Crane Resort on Friday, was a celebration of the students’ impressive accomplishments. Dr Sonia Browne, Member of Parliament for St Philip North, praised the graduates for their exceptional performance, noting that they had surpassed the national average in both the Mathematics and English papers.

This achievement is particularly noteworthy given the obstacles faced by the school, noted Dr Browne. St Mark’s, a small rural institution, has grappled with limited space, poor wi-fi access, and facilities in need of upgrades. However, the strong community spirit and the close bond between students and teachers proved to be a crucial factor in overcoming these hurdles, the MP stated.

Pastor Jameil Blackman, the featured speaker, encouraged the 16 graduating students to maintain a positive self-image and cultivate inner motivation. He emphasised the importance of positive self-talk as a tool for building confidence and productivity, questioning whether the current reliance on external motivation might be contributing to challenges faced by today’s youth.

“Positive self-talk is a powerful tool for increasing self-confidence and curbing negative emotions,” Blackman told the graduating class. “What I have recognised over the years and through recent study is that there is more dependence on external forms of motivation as opposed to having a positive inner conversation with yourself . . . Could this be one of the reasons for some of the existing challenges in our youth today? Could this be a major component for why there is so much dysfunction?”

The graduation’s theme, Be Bold! Be Courageous! Be Unstoppable!, perfectly encapsulated the spirit of these young achievers. Head girl Lilyanna Browne led the charge with exceptional scores of  92 in the English paper, an A in Composition and 94 in Mathematics, securing a place at Harrison College. Top male student Amauri Trotman also shone, earning admission to The St Michael School with an A in Composition, 83 in Mathematics and 90 in English. 
(SZB)