`We will continue to fight the odds and the disappointments' - Principal Mrs. Wendel Roberts

STUDENTS of Queen's College in Georgetown have been rewarded for their excellent academic performances and outstanding contributions in sports and games in the academic year 2000/2001 and the school head has vowed to keep it the leading secondary institution in the country.

Those who achieved an average of at least 70% and placing first, second and third in their forms during the year, others who performed well in the technical subjects, at the Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) examinations, the GCE 'A' Levels examinations, in debating, and at the athletics championships, received prizes for their performances at the school's annual prize giving ceremony Monday evening.

In her report to the gathering at the National Cultural Centre, Principal Mrs. Wendel Roberts noted that though the staffing has been labile in some areas, Queen's College was able to overcome the difficulties and produce excellent results at the recent CXC examinations.

"We pledge with God's help to keep Queen's College as the leading secondary institution in this country. We will continue to fight the odds and the disappointments", she stated.

Giving an overview of the curriculum, she noted that an area that plays a vital role in student performance at the CXC examinations is the School Based Assessment (SBA).

APARNA Gajraj receives the Doodnauth Hetram Shield for being the best Fifth Form student with the best academic record (General Stream) from Mrs. C. Blake.


This, she said, allows a student to pursue wide and in-depth tasks over a two-year period. She said it also provides the opportunity for the teacher to have a direct input in the final grade of the student at CXC.

According to Roberts, parents and guardians can play a significant role in the quality of SBA produced, and hence CXC results, by closely monitoring students to ensure that their submissions are timely and show a high standard of presentation.

They can also maintain contact with the school and attend Year Level meetings, when so organised, in order to keep abreast with trends in education, she said, adding that the community at large can also continue to impact on SBA by accommodating students for research or exposure, when necessary.

"I therefore emphasise that the school, home and community all have a significant partnership in the education of our country's vital human resources", she stated.

Roberts said it was with a sense of awe, joy and humility that she reported the performance of the students this year at the CXC examinations.

Of the 23 subjects offered, there was an overall pass of 93.1% with Grades 1-111 and 100% passes in nine subjects.

At the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) the school recorded a pass rate of 72% Grades 1- 5 in the 15 Units of 14 subjects areas written and at the GCE 'A' Level, 14 subjects were offered and there was a 72% pass rate, including 22 As.

The students were congratulated by Mayor Hamilton Green who, in his address to the gathering, encouraged them to continue to climb the ladder of success.

An old student of the school, he further urged that they not forget the parents and teachers without whose support the excellent results would not have been possible.

He pointed out that many truly gallant, good and great Guyanese have passed through the college while noting that the school also had its share of clowns and non brilliant students as he shared stories of some of their laughable moments at the school.

He said he recalled these because of the rapid changes of modern times noting that it is important to know that civilisation stands firmly on a foundation of thousands of years.

"In the West and elsewhere, people are turning to this foundation to discover their heritage and to cast new light on their values", he stated.

According to Green, people everywhere have the impulse to seek answers to the mysteries of human existence, to discover, or invent order in the universe, to respond creatively to nature, to delight the senses and the mind with beauty and truth, to communicate their thoughts and share their vision with others by understanding their heritage.

Q.C. of the 21st century, he said, should help students develop this appreciation and so prepare them for the many uncertainties of life.

He told the students that in every field whether religion, politics or the arts, ancestors found solutions to the most perplexing questions of their day.

"Your years spent at Queen's, should help you to draw on the creative insights of those who lived before, realising that our own culture has a history and a context that gives our life meaning", he said. This, he said, will help the nation be united and strong.

He said Queen's College has over the years produced many great thinkers and the institution must give this batch the tools to think independently, gain strength, confidence and to be courageous.

He noted that systems of education vary, first to pass on the children the knowledge accumulated over the years, to prepare the new generation for service to their country and mankind, to help the elders think clearly, do research keeping pace with new technologies, discoveries and developments, and to reinforce the structure and beliefs of society.

"To become truly educated, is not about cramming to pass an exam. Education does not end with graduation or a convocation. It is a lifelong process, requiring commitment, time and energy.

"I beg all of you to pursue this process relentlessly - and so become the quintessence of society, and the helmsmen wherever you go', he stated.

Adding to the evening's programme were contributions of students who showcased their talents in several musical selections and other areas.