KPS head wanted 100 per cent passes

The head teacher of the Kingstown Preparatory School (KPS) is disappointed that her school did not secure 100 per cent passes in the Caribbean Primary Exit Assessment (CPEA) examinations during her last year at the helm.

On Wednesday, Carol Ross told her SEARCHLIGHT that although she had asked students to ensure a perfect pass rate, 106 out of the 109 students passed, which is 97.2 per cent.{{more}}

“As I retire I really wanted to go with 100 per cent passes,” said Ross, who retires on July 2.

She however commended the school’s top performer Tai Ballantyne who placed fourth for boys and fourth overall with a 95.00 per cent average.

Tai missed third place by 0.2 per cent, a position secured by Elzicho Debique of the Cane End Government School who scored an average of 95.2 per cent.

Ross described Tai, the son of Junior ‘Midge’ Ballantyne and Terry Ballantyne of Frenches as an outstanding student, adding that he was the valedictorian at the school’s graduation this year.

SEARCHLIGHT spoke to Tai on Wednesday evening and he shared that he found the examinations to be “good, but a little difficult.”

An aspiring veterinarian, the 11-year-old said this is his choice because of his love for animals. His mother added that often, he nurses their four dogs and spends a lot of time playing with them.

Terry said Tai does not put much interest into studying, however, “it just comes naturally.”

“From his performance at school, we expected him to do well,” Terry said, however adding that when it comes to studying, Tai does what is expected, “nothing extra.”

She advised parents or guardians who have children writing the CPEA examinations to encourage and pay attention to their children and to work along with them because all children have potential.

Tai was also the school’s top performer in the subject areas of Mathematics and English in which he scored 96 and 90 per cent respectively.

He will attend the St Vincent Grammar School in September.

Although her wish was not fulfilled, head teacher Ross is pleased that her pupils did well in the examinations and said that she believes that once they have the right attitude they would succeed at their respective secondary institutions. (AS)