Buoyed by a 75 per cent move charge in English Language within the 2025 Caribbean Secondary Schooling Certificates (CSEC) examinations, college students and workers at Charlie Smith Excessive College are working in direction of even higher success subsequent 12 months.
“Certainly, it’s one thing that we’re all joyful about,” Principal, Christopher Wright tells JIS Information.
“I imagine that we should use that as an impetus… to enhance educational success not solely within the conventional educational topics however the sensible topics, as effectively, as a result of we wish our youngsters, our college students, to go away and be marketable on the finish of their 5 or seven years in no matter space they select,” he says.
The establishment, positioned downtown Kingston, was considered one of 56 establishments positioned underneath the Ministry of Schooling, Abilities, Youth and Data Nationwide College Studying Intervention Plan (NSLIP), to handle studying loss attributable to COVID 19.
The varsity’s move charge in English had dropped to 13.1 per cent in 2024.
By focused interventions underneath NSLIP, together with additional courses, the scholars had been capable of get again on monitor to rejoice a 75 per cent move charge on this 12 months’s CSEC exams.
The Principal tells JIS Information that with the help from the Ministry, the varsity applied enrichment courses, additional classes had been held face-to-face and on-line on weekdays and weekends, with academics gifting away of their time.
The main focus was not solely on English however all topic areas.
“I’ve signed in on a Sunday, I’ve signed in on Saturday, and so they [teachers] are there. I don’t know the way they discover the time, and I’ve to say that they’ve by no means requested for something,” he notes.
“They’re extremely motivated and need to see the youngsters do effectively, and so they imagine that they will make a distinction, and they’re true to that,” Mr. Wright says, citing the Head of the Arithmetic Division, who travels in from Mandeville on daily basis.
“So, it’s only a large group effort to see the youngsters [do well]”, the Principal tells JIS Information.
He says that the onerous work paid off, with every pupil passing greater than 4 topics on this 12 months’s CSEC.
“I believe it is rather like a reward for the work that has been executed, and all of us, all people, feels proud about that,” he provides.
“However we’re at all times going to need extra,” he tells JIS Information, noting that the academics are as much as the duty.
English Instructor, Stacy Williams tells JIS Information that the workers “labored tirelessly” with the scholars and the scholars themselves had been decided that they wished to do effectively.
“So, it was very simple to work with them, as a result of they confirmed curiosity. I used to be right here early most mornings from 6:30 to satisfy with the scholars who wished help,” she shares.
Head of the Arithmetic Division, Techniann Hewitt-Stanton, says the academics are prepared to work with the scholars.
“It doesn’t matter what stage they’re, we’re right here to deliver them from that time to the place they need to be. They’ve the potential and I would like them to know that I imagine in them. I’m prepared to make that sacrifice to assist them obtain their targets,” he says.
Head of the Technical and Vocational Division, and previous pupil, Kevin Clarke, tells JIS Information that the varsity achieves 100 passes in vocational topics every year.
He notes that college students have been sitting the Metropolis and Guilds exams for the final three years, with a 100 per cent move charge for these exams as effectively.
“So, we now have the scholars getting an exterior certification from the CSEC stage, and likewise on the Metropolis and Guilds stage, and we’re wanting ahead now to incorporating the Nationwide Council on Technical and Vocational Schooling and Coaching, (NCTVET) certification within the faculty exterior examination physique,” he experiences.
For President of the Rocket Science Membership, Lanceford Britton, the marked enchancment in CSEC English is a supply of satisfaction.
“I felt very excited,” he says, thanking the academics and different volunteers, who help with Saturday courses. Amongst these taking satisfaction within the faculty’s achievements is entrance gate safety and previous pupil, Christopher Powell (Chris Pow), who enthusiastically greets guests with “welcome to Charlie Smith Excessive College, the gold and brown”.
He tells JIS Information that it’s a part of his obligation as a “proud product of this faculty,” to make sure that all of the 380 college students are protected.
“It’s a must to make them know that we’re household, it begins from right here,” he states.
For Vice Principal, Latoya Laing-Smith, the varsity is on an “wonderful path proper now, and we’re development in all areas”.
“Charlie Smith is on the rise; that’s what we had been chanting for the 12 months, and so we’re seeing that taking place now. We’re strategic in all the varied departments, however the focus proper now’s on maths and English, although we’re nonetheless making an attempt to enhance in areas that we have to,” she states.
