SEA pupils enjoy success after hard work and sacrifice

“Great, wonderful, very proud, ecstatic” was how Tyiesha Fortune described the performance of her sister’s twin Takara and Tianna of the Rose Hill RC School. Their mother Marsha Joseph was also present at the Nelson Street Girls’ RC and each opened an envelope with results showing the girls will be going to Providence Girls’ Catholic Secondary School.

Nelson Street was the collection point for Rose Hill students. Tyiesha explained the good results for her sisters came after a lot of hard work, and giving up TikTok and other social media distractions. The girls were drilled with their work “24-7” and had additional tuition with their teacher and externally.

The Secondary Entrance Assessment (Sea) results were released by the Ministry of Education today, September 9. The exam for placement in secondary schools took place July 1 after being rescheduled from June 10 because of a spike in Covid-19 cases and challenges posed by the health regulations. A total of 19,651 students were registered for the exam; 9,904 male and 9,747 female.

Twelve-year-old Josiah Stanislaus of Nelson Street Boys’ was happy with his results. He will be going to ASJA Boys’ College. “It was not easy,” he said, sounding relieved. His father Courtney felt “fantastic” and said it took “real sacrifice” as Josiah had to give up time playing and watching television. Also getting good news first-hand was Josiah’s mother Melissa and grandfather Orendale Dindial.

“She do good!” said Stacey Ann Pierre about her daughter Kayann Mayers getting her second choice. She thanked Nelson Street Girls’ principal Lisa Hinds-Lynch “for all the hard work” and scolding.

The principals of the Nelson Street Boys’, Nelson Street Girls’ and Rose Hill were proud of the results, given the myriad challenges which marked the 2020-2021 academic year during the Covid-19 pandemic. Pupils went through three terms of the year in virtual classes, which was challenging for the pupils without devices or connectivity. Printed material was distributed for them. The Catholic Education Board of Management, Ministry of Education in collaboration with the private sector provided devices over time.

Frances Gervais-Heath of Nelson Street Boys’ was satisfied with the results though she was hoping for better. At the same time, she accepted that conditions were not ideal with the students without electricity, no data and whose parents were working. “Despite all of that, they tried their best. I am very proud”.

The principal of Rose Hill, Charlene Quamina was grateful. She commended the effort of her teachers in preparing the students. Hinds-Lynch said, “I am utterly elated. In spite of the difficulties, our children showed their resilience”. She beamed with pride and said it was through the excellent teachers and their commitment and dedication. “I am still praising the Lord”.

Ezekiel Stephan, Jahem Seaton and Trey Jones of Nelson Street Boys’ RC got their SEA results. Stephen and Jones passed for St Marys’ College while their classmate is going to St Francis College. Their happy class teacher Rawle Philip commended them.