In the words of acting principal of the Iona Preparatory School, Sophia Ormsby, the 14 graduates may not have been the strongest batch, but they were the most improved batch over the five years at the institution.
This achievement was showcased as there were cheers from the audiences of parents, guardians, friends, well-wishers and teachers as the Iona Preparatory School on Tuesday, July 4, as 14 graduates were sent off in their annual graduation ceremony.
The ceremony highlighted academic excellence and talent of the students who did exceptionally well in their recent Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT).
The camera lights kept flashing on the graduates as they marched to the front of the Immanuel United Church in Tower Isle, St Mary.
The first section of the ceremony saw the graduates taking the lead. The moderator was Kara-J Senior, while the prayer was done by Khanye Smith and T’sania West. The scripture reading was by Tajhon Green.
The introduction of the ceremony’s chairperson, Pauline Haughton was given by Travine Pinnock and Khamron Johnson.
The programme was later chaired throughout the rest of the evening by Mrs Haughton, who kept the audience laughing and entertained.
Several performances then highlighted the ceremony with the Iona dance group dong a piece to the song ‘I Worship You,’ and past head girl, Dana Jones doing an instrumental piece on the violin.
In her report, acting principal of the school, Sophia Ormsby highlighted several of the successes of the institution throughout the 2016-2017 academic year. At the beginning of the academic year in September, 101 girls and 93 boys were enrolled at the institution with 14 female teachers on staff.
According to Ms Ormsby, the Honor Roll was introduced in September of 2016, and the school “is still reaping success” from this new thrust to encourage academic excellence. To qualify for the Honor Roll, a student has to obtain an average of 90 percent and over.
“For the Christmas term, 53 students made it on the Honor Roll, for the Easter Term, 45 students and for the summer term, there was a steady increase of 46 students, six of whom are a part of the graduating class of 2017. Congratulations to all the students. Hard work paid off. To all the teachers and the parents who had worked with them, we say keep up the good work,” Ms Ormsby said.
Activities throughout the school year included parents’ month celebration, Founder’s day, Peace day, Career Day and education tours.
The students of the institution also excelled in extra-curricular activities, including the JCDC speech, dance and music competitions. The school also gave creditable performances in athletics and football.
In the area of external examinations, the Iona Preparatory School continues to be one of the top schools in the parish of St Mary. Among the successes were the results of the 2016 grade four literacy and numeracy test. Iona received 100 percent mastery in literacy and 90 percent mastery in numeracy.
For the GSAT examinations, Ms Ormsby said that “again history had been created at Iona (Preparatory).”
“All 14 students did extremely well. Ten students got their first choice, two, second choices and two, fifth choice. They were placed at Calabar High, York Castle High, St Hilda’s High, St Mary’s High, Westwood High, Marymount High, Ferncourt High and Ocho Rios High. Hats off to the graduates who got 80s and 90s in GSAT,” Ms Ormsby said.
The top boy and top girl in GSAT were Kirk Boswell and Jade Lawrence.
To the graduates, Ms Ormsby said, “You weren’t the strongest batch, but you were indeed the most improved batch for the past five years. You made us extremely proud and we applaud your efforts. To God be the glory, great things he has done.”
Following the principal’s address, a tribute to the graduates was delivered by students Amelia Chinloy and Celani Lightbourne.
The evening’s guest speaker, Reverend Sylvan Hinds, was introduced by graduates, Kayanna Mills and Sanique Simpson.
In extending congratulations to the graduates, Rev. Hinds told the graduates that it didn’t matter which school there were going to as they were the ones that would make the difference.
He implored the graduates to “think it, believe it and live to achieve it.”
The valedictorian speech was later delivered by graduates Zariel Sleight and Zaer Williams.
The highly anticipated presentation of certificates and awards section followed with the graduates being recognized for their achievements.
In the presentation of awards, the most outstanding students in GSAT were: Kirk Boswell for mathematics; Zaer Williams for science; Sanique Simpson for social studies; Zariel Sleight and Kirk Boswell for Language Arts and Zariel Sleight and Jade Lawrence for communication task.
The vote of thanks was delivered by Kirk Boswell and Jade Lawrence.
