The Girls’ High School has again returned the most outstanding results nationally, in the May/June 2012 Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate Examinations (CSEC).{{more}}

A Ministry of Education release said the school recorded a pass rate of 96.70 per cent, which, according to the school, is down from their pass rate of 98 per cent in 2011. There was a pass rate of 94.7 per cent in 2010.

The school’s top performers are Cherriane Davis, who returned 11 grade ones and one grade two; Khandi Gordon who has 11 grade one passes; Shanka Edwards, 10 grade ones and two grade twos; La Donna Yorke, who has 2 grade ones, 7 grade twos and 3 grade threes.

Of the 126 students who wrote the exam, 100 per cent passes were recorded in 12 of the 24 subject areas, with the pass rates in the remaining 12 ranging from 99 per cent to 80 per cent.

Notably, there was a 91.41 per cent pass rate in maths, a 97.14 per cent pass rate in English B and a 98.44 per cent pass rate in English A. 77 of the 126 students who wrote English A returned a grade 1.

Twenty-two students recorded eleven passes, 44 recorded ten passes, 29 have nine passes, 19 have eight passes, 7 have seven passes, two have six passes and three have five passes.

Of the four GHS top performers, SEARCHLIGHT was only able to contact Shanka Edwards, who said despite her good showing, there were a few disappointments; she explained that she was hoping to have done better in Geography, for which she got a grade two.

“So, that was my disappointment,” she said.

She identified hard work and good study habits as having helped her to do well.

Among those who she said assisted her along her journey to academic success were her mom Donnette Edwards and grandfather, John Davis.

“They encouraged me and pushed me throughout,” she said.

When not involved in activities in the classroom, young Edwards said that she enjoys a few extra-curricular activities such as netball, tennis and track. Her activities also included membership of the number 23 Ranger Company.

But she offered some advice to those writing the CSEC in upcoming years, encouraging them to work on past papers, and to focus and study, not just memorize the material before a major exam.

Her personal goals for the future include attending Oxford University and continuing from where she left off at secondary school.