Brandon, Saeed top Common Entrance Exams in Maths

Brandon Hadaway-Fraser and Saeed Bowman are this year’s top performers in Math in the Common Entrance Exam, with both boys achieving an almost perfect score of 98.3 per cent.{{more}}

Brandon is happy and a bit surprised at his performance.

The eleven-year-old resident of Harmony Hall admitted to SEARCHLIGHT, during an interview on Wednesday, that he was not expecting such high grades.

Brandon gained 98.33 per cent for Mathematics, 90 per cent for General Paper and 74.42 for English Language. He placed 10th for boys and 20th overall.

It’s no surprise that Mathematics is his favourite subject. According to Brandon, he enjoys the addition and subtraction, rather than ‘all the words’.

“I like that you have to use numbers instead of words and you have to add and subtract and multiply instead of thinking and writing down all the words,” he said.

He added that he had to give up television and video games to prepare for the examinations. He also went to sleep early each night, and did lots of studying.

He, however, admitted that he was nervous during the examination, especially during the English Language paper, which, according to him, was “the hardest paper that they gave us”.

Brandon’s mother, Laura Hadaway, expressed her satisfaction with her son’s results. “I am very satisfied. I think he did wonderful. I know he is going to continue to do good throughout his school life,” she said.

Brandon, who enjoys playing football and drawing, is not quite sure what he wants to be when he gets older. He intends to do a lot of relaxing now that the exams are over and help his other friends and family who are in lower grades with their school work.

He hopes to attend the St Vincent Grammar School, because, according to him, it’s the top school in St Vincent, and it is where his father, Dimitri Fraser, attended.

Saeed, who also scored 98.33 % in Math in the CEE, will also be heading to the St Vincent Grammar School, his father’s alma mater, come September.

Ten-year-old Saeed, a student at the Sugar Mill Academy and a member of both the Junior and Senior divisions of the Starlift Steel Orchestra, had to juggle between his pan sessions and preparing for his exams.

Saeed is the son of Roland and Lesley Bowman of Upper Cane Hall.

His father, Roland, told SEARCHLIGHT on Tuesday that he is indeed proud of his son’s achievement and the fact that he was able to balance his music and academics.

“It’s always good to see your children doing well in school and Saeed is a very hard worker. He blends his music and his music very well”, Bowman said, adding that this year has been a very hectic one for young Saeed.

“He plays for the Junior and the Senior side for Starlift Steel Orchestra and it is every single day, with the exception of Sundays, he is at the pan yard.”

As for Saeed, the talented young man says he feels great about his accomplishment, because of the fact he was able to do what he enjoys and still excel in his exam.

Saeed placed 12th for boys, and 25th overall.

In the other subject areas, Saeed achieved 81.57 for English and 81.67 for the General Paper.

Saeed thanked his parents and other close family members, including his uncle, Lennox Bowman, for assisting and supporting him throughout his exam preparations.

Special mention was also made of his Grade 6 teacher, Hazel Agard, and his lessons teacher, Mr Primus. Saeed disclosed that his goal is to obtain a Ph.D. in Music, majoring in Steel Pan and also producing music. In November of last year Saeed was awarded the National Youth Award for his achievements in music. (AA/OS)