Davis Primary stars excel in PEP

Blake secured the title of Top Boy with an impressive overall score of 360.9, translating to 90%, while Youngsam claimed the Top Girl spot with a commendable score of 348.9 (87%). Their outstanding performance is a testament to their hard work, determination, and the strong academic foundation provided by their school.

Malek is still processing the moment he found out he had passed for Glenmuir High School, his first choice. “I was pretty shocked. I didn’t really believe my teacher at first and thought he was joking. I was speechless when I saw that I had passed for Glenmuir,” he told Old Harbour News. 

For Madison, the moment she discovered she was the top-performing girl in the national assessment at her school it was one of pure joy and a touch of surprise. “I was very proud of myself and I felt very happy,” she said. Her hard work and discipline had paid off, earning her a coveted placement at St. Jago High School.

Despite facing challenges, particularly with Language Arts, Malek remained determined. He admitted that he struggled to retain the many rules of the subject due to memory difficulties. However, he overcame this by attending extra lessons, including Saturday classes, and seeking help from his sisters and teachers. Madison had similar experiences with Mathematics. 

“I often used my lunch breaks to review difficult topics in mathematics, my most challenging subject. To help deepen my understanding, I watched YouTube videos and accessed past papers on the Ministry of Education’s website,” Madison revealed.

Both students are driven by nurtured and strong support systems. Parents and teachers, all play key roles in helping them stay focused and encouraged. “There were times when I felt overwhelmed and stressed, but I thought about how proud my parents and teachers would be if I passed, and that encouraged me to keep going and not worry too much,” Malek shared. 

“My family and my teacher, Mr. Dillon, supported me the most during my exam preparation. When I didn’t do the work that he posted in the Google Classroom, he told my parent. Eventually, I had to do it,” Madison told Old Harbour News.

Behind every successful student are parents, guardians, and relatives who work tirelessly to support their journey helping them stay focused, disciplined, and motivated to achieve their goals and embrace the rewards that lie ahead. Madison’s grandma, Denise Benjamin gave her reaction to the news that she was named top PEP girl for her school.  “I was really happy and I felt proud because I knew she worked hard," she said. 

Charlene Thompson was overwhelmed with joy upon learning that her son, Malek, was among the top PEP achievers. "I screamed at the top of my voice. I was so happy! My neighbours even came out thinking something was wrong," she shared with Old Harbour News.

Determined to keep Malek focused, Miss Thompson took away his video games and provided him with everything he needed for his studies, including textbooks, a tablet, a reliable internet connection, and extra lessons. 

As one of Madison’s strongest pillars of support, Miss Benjamin played a key role in her academic journey. “Part of the thing was to make sure that she stayed focused, did not procrastinate and ensured that she did all her homework and attended all her extra lessons. She had to get enough rest and was fed with healthy meals to remain strong,” she explained.

Still, the journey was not without its challenges, Thompson noted. "There were times I couldn't come up with the money for his extra classes and sometimes he’d get really miserable. I had to keep encouraging him. I told him that once he passed for the school he wants, he’d feel proud and that pushed him to always try to stay on top”, she disclosed. For Benjamin it’s a sacrifice that pays off in the end. “I think sometimes we could see the burnout so we had to ensure that she knew she still had to go on because it’s a journey and there’s a light at the end of the tunnel. We sat up with her at nights when she had to do a little bit more studying and be encouraging,” she shared.

Malek’s motivation was also driven by his love for trophies. "At his grade four awards ceremony, he got only one trophy and said, ‘Mommy, I'm going to get more.’ The next year, he got four and that inspired him even more to work hard," Thompson recalled proudly.

Looking ahead, Benjamin is hopeful about Madison’s continued success in high school. “She knows her strengths and understands what lies ahead. Her mantra is, ‘studying is better than failing’ and she carries that with her. With Old Harbour News now covering her story, I believe she better understands the importance of her achievement and is more motivated to go even further,” she said. 

Miss Thompson hopes Malek continues to excel and earn a spot on his high school principal's honour roll. Miss Denise also commended the unwavering dedication of teachers like Mr. Dillon, one of Madison’s educators. “Mr. Dillon is such a powerhouse; he even funded his own internet service to ensure students could access lessons,” she said. “I think the Ministry of Education could do more to support the PEP programme, especially in ensuring equitable access to internet services and learning materials. Parents also have a role to play in supporting their children’s education,” she added.

Thompson also believes more can be done systemically. "The Ministry of Education should provide more past papers for practice. It makes a difference," she said.

Benjamin also had a word of encouragement for other families. “I know some parents didn’t get the results they hoped for, and some children will attend schools they didn’t choose but it’s not the end of the road. It’s not about the school, it’s about the journey. Many of them are still motivated, and it’s important that we stand beside them,” she ended. 

Thompson advice to parents of upcoming PEP candidates: "Support your children help them with homework, provide resources, and monitor them closely. Sometimes they say they’re studying, but they’re doing something else. Be there emotionally and physically stick with them to the end. Don’t give up on them. Keep working with them and get extra help. They can achieve too.”