Little Bay Primary scores big in PEP exams

Little Bay Primary and Infant School in Westmoreland is boasting outstanding results in the 2023 Primary Exit Profile (PEP).

Principal Keron King told JIS News that of the 17 students who sat PEP, approximately 12 were placed in traditional high schools of their choice.

"The Manning's School, the Hampton School [in St Elizabeth] and Frome Technical High accounted for the largest number of passes, while the other students passed for Godfrey Stewart High and Little London High," he said.

King said that the institution, located in the rural fishing village of Little Bay, is punching well above its weight in terms of the quality of PEP passes and academics in general.

"We must look at the fact that it is a small, deep-rural school in such a remote area in comparison to larger schools that we are surrounded by, and the quality of the passes are good. It is not the norm for a remote school to pick up so many passes for traditional schools at once.

"The fact that so many students got [into] their first choice, traditional schools, indicates the quality of the teaching and interest of the teachers and parents," he contended.

King and Little Bay came to national recognition during the pandemic, as he delivered assignments weekly to students in remote areas by way of a bike taxi.

Cousins Ackecia Gayle and Kendra Cornwall, who were named the most outstanding girls with scores averaging 326.5 and 331.8, respectively, will be heading to The Hampton School in St Elizabeth in September.

Ackecia told JIS News that she was elated to get into the Hampton School, which was her first-choice school.

"I worked very hard to get my first choice and I am successful. Getting prepared was extremely tough, but I did it. Throughout the school year, I had one Bible verse that I always recited -- 'I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me'. This motivated me to work harder, and my hard work has paid off," she said.

Kendra said that while she was confident going into the exams, there were doubts on the day the PEP results came out. Those doubts, however, dissipated when she saw her scores and realised that she was placed in her school of choice.

With a 318.7 average, Tequan Drummond will continue his academic journey at Manning's School, which is Jamaica's second oldest high school.

"I was always confident that I could get into my school of choice; it is a dream come true," he said. Tequan's mother, Tracey-Ann James, said she is very proud of her son, the school's top boy.

"All the credit goes to him and his amazing, hard-working principal and teachers, who went above and beyond to provide him with the best primary education possible. I can't say enough how grateful I am or how much I appreciate them all. Tequan worked very hard to do the best he could, and his hard work paid off. I am a very proud mother, and I will continue to support and encourage him as he moves forward," James said.