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Campion on Top Again

Published:Saturday | November 15, 2014 | 5:09 PMJodi-Ann Gilpin
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Winston Sill
Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer The Jamaica Association of Principals of Secondary Schools (JAPSS) National CXC Awards 2014 Ceremony, held at the Abe Issa Auditorium, St. George's College, North Street, on Friday November 14, 2014. Here is Janique Lee, of Campion College.
Winston Sill
The Jamaica Association of Principals of Secondary Schools (JAPSS) National CXC Awards 2014 Ceremony, held at the Abe Issa Auditorium, St. George's College, North Street, on Friday November 14, 2014. Here are David Henry (left), Vice Principal and Dean of Studies, Campion College collecting the trophy for the Top School in both CSEC and CAPE, from Heather Murray (right), President, JAPSS.
Winston Sill
Winston Sill/Freelance Photographer The Jamaica Association of Principals of Secondary Schools (JAPSS) National CXC Awards 2014 Ceremony, held at the Abe Issa Auditorium, St. George's College, North Street, on Friday November 14, 2014. Here is Fitzroy Wickham of York Castle High School, who had the Best Overall Performance in CSEC.
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David Henry, vice-principal at Campion College, was not surprised when it was announced that the institution was

again the top school in Jamaica in Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) and the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE).

"We intend to keep the trophy at Campion, and I am determined to make it happen," Henry told The Gleaner following the National Caribbean Examinations Council 2014 Awards Ceremony at St George's College in Kingston last Friday.

"I must say, however, that we could not have done it without the help of our parents and the hard-working teachers. Everyone did their part. We have our down days, just like any other school, but I must commend the students, who displayed a positive attitude throughout the journey, and today, we are reaping the rewards," he said.

President of the Jamaica Association of Principals of Secondary Schools, Heather Murray, said she was pleased with the mixture of schools that were awarded.

"Every type of school was represented here today. I also admire the spirit that the students displayed. They were all cheering for each other, whether it's a traditional or non-traditional high school. Every student felt welcomed and appreciated. Over 60 schools were represented here today and this speaks volumes for the work that is being done in education," Murray told The Gleaner.

"This year we saw where schools did not only excel locally but in the region. We used to see other countries excelling, but this year, Jamaica was on top in 16 subjects and we have to applaud that and I'm looking forward to greater things," she said.

KEEP MAKING ADIFFERENCE

She also encouraged teachers to be persistent and make the students their priority.

"Teaching sometimes may be thankless, but it is never pointless, and so I say to teachers, 'Keep at it. If you are changing the life of one child, then you are making a difference'," she said.

Elaine Foster-Allen, permanent secretary in the Ministry of Education, charged students to be focused and to assist each other in their weak areas.

"We are here to celebrate our students and their achievements. We continue to work hard because we cannot become complacent. We remain confident that we will continue to make strides, especially as we embark on strengthening the balance between academia and the vocational areas because that is very important," she said.

"I also want to implore students not to use their success to look down on other students who might not have been recognised at this level. All of us at some point needed shoulders to lean on, and when we achieve our goals, we should try and become a shoulder to help someone else," Allen said.

jodi-ann.gilpin@gleanerjm.com