A cool head prevailed in exams

A cool head prevailed in exams

Foundation Preparatory School student, 11-year-old Max O'neil Leiba, is looking forward to the next phase of his school life at Glenmuir High School in Clarendon.

While others worried about grades, the confident youngster said he didn't believe in leaving anything to chance as his belief is to "hit the ground running", and that meant beginning his Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT) preparations from grade five.

"My motto is to hit the ground running from day one, and as such I start my studies every evening from the first day of school," he shared.

That preparation meant revising every weekday from 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and on Saturdays from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

While other students may have had challenges, Leiba said he didn't have any as he didn't wait until the last minute to start preparations.

"I am someone who always aims for the top. I love the feeling I get whenever I place first in my class. This has been my motivation since grade one, and as such I carried the same vibe into the exam," he said. That format worked, as he aced it with a perfect score. Leiba also had high praises for his parents - Max and Michelle Leiba and credits them with being his main support system.

"They constantly motivate and encourage me to aim for the sky. My mother pays me for A's and A-pluses on my report cards, so I am always getting a whole lot of money from day one," he revealed.

Leiba said his mother also sits with him throughout his study sessions, showing him easier ways of mastering his schoolwork.

His father ensures that he avails himself of the wealth of information reading can provide by encouraging him to read a book every day.

Come September, when he starts his journey at Glenmuir, Leiba said his expectation is to "have fun while I excel not only academically but also socially".

And just like he prepared for his GSAT, he is already in preparation mode for his future career as a medical doctor.

"This is because I love people and want to see them healthy and happy," said the youngster who at the moment is into football and video games.