Zhayquan is Balcombe Drive Primary’s top performer

Zhayquan Thorpe graduated from Balcombe Drive Primary School in St Andrew last Thursday as the school's top-performing student in the Primary Exit Profile (PEP) exams.

The Kingston College (KC)-bound youth also copped awards for having the highest proficiency for all subjects, best attendance, most helpful, and most disciplined.

"Him gwan wid himself, man. Him always a perform, but his grades were really exceptional, I am proud of him," said the boy's father, Zara Thorpe, as he beamed with pride.

Young Zhayquan, from Waterhouse, St Andrew, is walking in the footsteps of his father, who earned a place at KC after being successful in the Common Entrance Examination in 1998. The elder Thorpe, who is now a policeman, remembers the day he learned that he earned a place at KC.

"My mother hug me up and said she knew I could do it, but now I'm just so overwhelmed," he said.

Fast-forward 23 years, Thorpe said he cannot find words to describe the joy of seeing his son being placed at his alma mater following his exploits in the PEP exams.

"Me never expect to see anything less from him," said Thorpe, who heaped praises on his son's mother, Simone Thompson, who he said played an integral role in his son's success.

Thompson, for her part, said the 11-year-old's performance was expected.

"I knew he can do it. It wasn't a surprise to me at all. I've made a lot of sacrifices for my children. I feel good to know my hard work didn't go in vain," Thompson said.

The father is hoping that more parents will give their children the full support, attention and motivation that they need to excel as his son did.

"Put in the effort, you cannot expect teacher to play both roles as parent and teacher. The more you put in, is the more you will get out," he said.