Oakes Field Primary Excels
By MONIQUE FORBES Guardian Feature Reporter
"When I grow up I want to be Prime Minister or work for government," said Rondino Ferguson, one of 367 students of Oakes Field Primary School recently honoured for academic excellence.
The second annual award ceremony of it's kind, saw some 300 parents and well wishers in attendance at the school on, Farrington Rd.
Students honoured fell into three categories, with grade point averages ranging from 2.5-4.0.
Those with GPA's ranging from 3.50-4.0 received the highest honours, and a place on the principal's list, while students with GPA 3.0-3.5 made the honour roll, and students who achieved a GPA of 2.5-2.9 received honourable mention.
According to the schools' Principal Mr. Albert Clarke Jr., the awards ceremony is held at the beginning of the school year to sensitise students to the fact that hard work brings success.
"It is during this time that I challenge the other students to work hard and strive to be on one of the honour lists" he stated in an interview.
The principals list has increased by 15 percent over the last school year when 314 students were honoured.
"This year we have 221 students on the principals list, 117 on the honour roll and 59 students on the honourable mention list," he noted.
Mr. Clarke says the high level of success among the students is all due to a combination of dedicated teaching staff members and parents who are committed to the educational excellence of their children.
"The teachers are very much committed and dedicated, when they arrive at 8:00 am or 8:15am, they carry the students directly into the classroom and begin teaching," he says.
At the end of the day the teachers remain behind until 5-5:30 with kids who seek additional help.
He adds: "There is also tremendous parental support as parents arrive extra early from 7-7:35 am and they sit in the car and go through the homework with their children."
In fact, Mr. Clarke says supportive parents turn out in high numbers during PTA (Parent Teacher Association) meetings.
"I felt great, I was amazed, I didn't know, I was getting an award," exclaimed 6th grader Shanteria Perpall, who made the princpals list with a 3.41 GPA. She attributed her success to watching less television and doing more studying.
Eleven-year-old Bryanna Smith who lists her favourite subject as creative writing also made the principals list, and suggests parents play a part in helping their children improve in their studies.
" I think parents should play a part in their children's school life, and I suggest parents play games with them to make it fun, so it wouldn't seem boring and they wouldn't come to school and not want to participate," she said.
Ten-year old Grace Williams echoes similar sentiments, and says she's proud of reaching the principal's list with an overall GPA of 3.83
"I really studied hard," she stated. "In the morning when my mom is dropping me off to school she would tell me to say my nine times table or my ten times table," she added while encouraging her peers to study hard and participate in class in order to get good grades.
"You don't know how far it can take you," says the youngster who said she hopes to become a part-time pianist, a doctor and a writer. Oakes Field Primary was also recognised this year by The Ministry of Education for commendable achievement in the Grade Level Assessment (GLAT), with a grade 6 overall average of 72. 9 in Math, 89.7 in Science, and 83.8 in Social Studies. Oakes Field Primary is practicing primary excellence.
Caption:photos of the students of Oakes Field Primary, 2nd their trophies.
Posted: Thursday October 23, 2003
