PRINCIPAL RATES PEP PERFORMANCE ‘VERY GOOD’ AS 18 GRADUATE
BROWN’S TOWN, St Ann; July 8, 2025
There was wild celebration and prolonged applause as people showed appreciation for and congratulated the students who emerged as the top four, based on their PEP performance, at Hillcove High Achievers Prep.
The celebration of the success of the four and the entire class of 18 from Grade 6 at Hillcove High Achievers Prep (HHAP), was at their graduation exercise, held at Brown’s Town Community College, St Ann, on Monday, July 7, 2025.
Top Four: from left, Runner-up girl Cydiah Sutton; Top Girl Mikalia Edwards; Top Boy Jayani Henry and his runner-up Kawayne Smith
Those taking the top spots were: Top Boy Jayani Henry, and his runner-up Kawayne Smith; Top Girl was Mikalia Edwards, and her runner-up was Cydiah Sutton. Henry was also the student with the best score in the Ability Test, in which he achieved 99 percent.
The school also handed over prizes to students who gained the top three scores in the subjects that constituted the PEP. Most improved Girl was Gabriella Marston.
(Top Girl Mikalia Edwards receiving one of her prizes)
Principal and founder of Hillcove, Adita Sherwood, told the audience that the students had done well and the results were “very good”. She said the graduating students from Hillcove performed creditably, in several subject areas, comparing favourably with the best national performers.
Mrs Sherwood said that of the 18 who did the Primary Exit Profile (PEP) examinations, 16 achieved Pathway 1 and only two performed at Pathway 2. She said the students performed at the “highly proficient” level in many subjects
She said that in the Abilities Test, nine students had marks between 90% and 98% and “fell into the category” of doing better than others in the country.
(A mother hugs her daughter from the Kindergarten Department after the guest speaker asked graduates and the kindergarten school leavers to go into the audience and show appreciation to their parents)
The principal insisted that the performance of the students would have been even better had a greater number of parents become more involved in school activities. She encouraged parents and caregivers to assist their children now going to high school by regulating their use of social media. “Your children are spending too much time on social media,” she said.
(Grade 6 teacher Marlene Nevers hands the prize named after her to the Top Boy and Top Performer Jayani Henry)
Also having words for the parents was guest speaker Monica McIntyre, educator, who is credited with helping to transform Ocho Rios High School when she was principal there.
Mrs McIntyre encouraged parents to help children “bloom where they are planted”, regardless of whether they, the parent, liked the school at which their child was placed.
(Tazari Simms gave a welcome that drew plaudits from many)
Her exhortation to the children going to high school was to be their own advisors, trust their intuition, and value themselves. She encouraged them to show wisdom and restraint and to “count to ten” when provoked.
(Proud mother Tamara Francis hugs and spins her son Jayani, as he is named the Top Boy)
Nineteen students who completed the Kindergarten Department also participated in the exercise, as they transitioned to the Primary Department of Hillcove High Achievers Prep. They were given certificates and trophies and performed two songs as well as delivered the scripture reading.
Greetings were brought by Ms Karlene Bonner Chambers from the Ministry of Education, Skills, Youth, and Information. A message from Chairman Reginald Thorpe, was read by Mikalia Edwards
(The little ones from the Kindergarten Department doing a selection)
Student participation was one highlight of the event. One of the more memorable was the well-delivered welcome by Tazari Simms.
(The Valedictorians)
The Valedictory address was read by four students: Mikalia Edwards; Ainsworth Stewart, Jayani Henry and Gabriella Marston. They described the Graduating Class as “resilient and exceptional”. They said, “Grade 6 was the most difficult year of our lives.”
Maxine Stewart conducted devotion.
(Guest speaker Monica McIntyre)
Timothy Carby, Vice Principal, said prayers. Master of Ceremonies was O’Brian Taylor.
Ainsworth Stewart did the vote of thanks.
