Six Linden schools share top 10 spot in NGSA results
─ results show a 4.8% increase in Math
─ 849 students wrote NGSA in the region
DPI, Guyana, Wednesday, July 3, 2019
Jasmine Simpson of One Mile Primary School and Ravi Raymon of the Regma Primary School both scored 523 marks and were awarded the top positions for Region 10, in this year’s National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA) results.
For the aspiring brain surgeon Raymon, the news of his success was the cherry on the cake as he was attending his graduation exercise when he received the joyful tidings. The elated Grade Six student credited his performance to “hard work” which involved late extra classes and extra hours of studying. I had extra lesson until 8pm when I reached home even though I was tired I kept revising every day and keep doing my work and that’s how I did so well.”
Simpson also received the good news with tears of joy. While delighted, she said the announcement did not come as quite a shocker. Describing her preparation as stressful days with many sleepless nights, Simpson recalled that on the days, she felt overwhelmed; it was the support of her parents, teachers and friends that saw her through to the end.
Coping the third position for the region is Taniya Spencer of the Watooka Day Primary School who, with 520 marks, also attained a place at Queen’s College. Taniya was extremely thrilled that she made both her school and her parents proud. “It was really challenging, I had to work really hard. I was part of the gifted programme, plus I had lessons after school and Saturday lessons.” Her advice to upcoming NGSA students is to “to study hard, sacrifice and separate yourself from distractions,” she said.
Jarem Fraser, also of One Mile Primary, who copped the fourth position with 519 marks, described his journey to success as exhausting and challenging, but worth the effort. “I actually feel very excited, it was very hard, very challenging, very long and exhausting but I am very happy right now,” he said.
The other students who made it to the top one per cent for the region are Erykah Roberts of Watooka Day with 518, Janae Bristol of Regma Primary with 515, Ashanti Balgobin of Amelia’s Ward Primary with 514, Shaquon Ross of the Christianburg Primary with 513 and Yaneil Easton of Royal Halls of Learning with 513. They all were awarded placed at the Bishops’ High.
Teacher Rawle Forde, from One Mile Primary, said he was confident his pupil Jasmine Simpson would do well. “She was focused throughout. There were difficult times, but she realised I wanted her to give her best. I always felt that she would do exceptionally well.”
Over at Watooka Day Primary, teacher Rhonda Rose, whose student copped the third position, also shared similar sentiments and advised students to stay focused and have a positive mindset.
Quacy Spencer, mother of Taniya Spencer, said she played an integral role in her child’s success by just being there. Her emotional and moral support superseded that of knowing all the concepts her daughter was studying. “I am always encouraging her, I am always there with her, and even though she is a high flyer, she would say mommy just sit with me and so I would encourage parents to just be there, even if you don’t know the work, just be there.” She also encouraged parents to maintain a good relationship with their child’s teacher and keep up to date with their schedule of curricular activities.
Images and story: Vanessa Braithwaite