by Janelle Christie
Blue and yellow decorated the compound of the Steer Town Academy in Steer Town, St Ann as they sent off nearly 200 students at their graduation ceremony on Wednesday, June 29.
Pioneers for many of the schools new projects were a part of the “Batch 5’ graduating class.
The function was well attended by parents and well wishers, who were nothing less than excited to see the graduates as they entered to the lyrics of ‘Hall of fame’ and took their seats at the school’s Amphitheatre.
The day’s proceedings were guided by the theme “The fireworks begin today…You were born to do great things”.
The Cadet group ensured that the programme began with the raising of the National Flag and singing of the National Anthem. A prayer for “guidance and inspiration” was given thereafter by Reverend Johnathan Hemmings of the Ocho Rios Baptist Church. The prayer was followed by a hymn and the reading of two scriptures, by graduates Kedean Edwards and head prefect, Marika Mills.
The diversity of the studies at the Steer Town Academy was presented throughout the programme and was praised by the audience. The welcome was done in English and Spanish by graduates, Breanna Lessy and Michala Wilmot respectively.
Dignitaries who attended the school leaving exercise included councillor for the Lime Hall Division, Genevor Gordon-Bailey and senior education officer for region three, Dawn Singh-Gilmore.
In her greetings Mrs Gordon- Bailey encouraged the parents to continue to support their children even after graduation in order to help them to maximize their potential and urged all not to stigmatize the school.
For her part, Mrs Singh-Gilmore saluted the class of 2017 and told them that the graduation was just the closure of “one chapter.” She implored them to reflect in order to mend their faults and adapt to positive changes.
Another aspect of the school’s creative skills in the performing arts was displayed by head girl, Jodine Hyde who wowed the audience with the performance of her JCDC gold medal piece ‘me a one a dem deh youth deh’ by teacher Alejandra Williams.
School principal, Delroy Williams, kept the applause of the audience going as he did a recap of the past school year and the several achievements of the school. Mr Williams highlighted the school’s success in national, divisional and school competitions and for involvement in extracurricular activities.
Mr Williams said the school year started with 180 students who were candidates for the May/ June CSEC examination. One hundred and twenty-four students were recommended to sit 25 subjects including technical and practical subjects.
“Recommendations ranged from four to ten subjects per students. Fifty-eight students received subsidies from the Ministry of Education for Mathematics, English, information technology (IT) and one Science subject biology, chemistry, physics, human and social biology, agriculture or integrated science. Thirty-nine students sat between six and ten subjects and 19 students sat between three and five subjects.
“One hundred English Language and 69 mathematics students sat the 2016-2017 City and Guilds examinations. Eighty-four sat NCTVET Examinations; cosmetology, data operations, electrical installations and housekeeping,” Mr Williams said.
Mr Williams added that the students have also been actively involved in sports and participated in the ISSA Boys and Girls Championships, earlier this year.
Students have represented the school in other competitions. Placements and awards are as follows:
JCDC competition – students won three gold medals, eight silver medals, ten bronze medals and two merits.
Jamaica Debate League and JCF Debating competition- They won the first round of the JCF competition and their matches in the regional JDL competition
TVET competition – the Wood Work Lab was placed second for TVET Lab.
4H competitions – second place in budding, farm equipment and management and poultry care and management.
Deputy head girl Eleisha Brown, introduced the guest speaker, David Pryce who is the water production manager at National Water Commission in St Ann’s Bay.
Mr Pryce’s address was engaging and the graduates and audience were attentive during his presentation. Mr Pryce praised the class of 2017 as he made reference to statistics which states that on average several thousand students drop out of high school annually. He also acknowledged the parents and teachers who stood by the students as they journeyed thus far.In ending, he urged the graduates to dream big as every achievement starts with a dream. “Believe in yourself, keep moving; if you can’t be a tree, be the best bush. If you can’t be a highway be the best little track. If you can’t run, walk. If you can’t walk crawl, just keep moving”.
Several subject awards and special awards were handed out to those students who have performed well in the 2016-2017 school year. The award for outstanding academic performance was presented to Toni-Ann Percy.
Other top awards included the Sonia Nevins Trophy for top achiever in mathematics, the principal’s trophy for most exemplary students and principal’s trophy for most exemplary school ambassador. These awards were presented to Brittany Campbell, Eleisha Brown and Jodine Hyde respectively. Another student, David Daley was also awarded in several areas.
