THE Mackenzie High School (MHS) recently celebrated yet another year of success in both curricular and co-curricular activities, under the theme, ‘Education is the key to National Development.’

The celebration was marked by the school’s 60th Annual Speech Night and Prize-giving Ceremony at which the achievement of students, teachers and stakeholders were honoured and recognized.

Giving the feature address at the event was Dr. Marcel Hutson, Chief Education Officer, who stated that the importance of education can never be over emphasized and that education is a vital ingredient which provides a way of escape from the dangers of life.

“It is very clear that education could propel the individual out of a state of social, economic and moral emptiness since it gives you the power to realize your dreams. We need to recognize and take advantage of opportunities that are probably out there. This could only be true since education is a process by which we acquire knowledge, skills, habits, values, attitudes that will make them become useful members of society,” Hutson said.

“We live in a dynamic world where many changes are taking place and therefore education helps us to adjust to these changes. Education, therefore, is the vehicle through which persons understand these changes,” he added.

While the school’s performance in the past academic year was encouraging, Hutson challenged the teachers and students of the MHS to work even harder in the next year.
He said that teachers must, in a strong way, use the fundamental principles learnt during the period of training in order to get creative with their teaching, since it is no secret that students learn at different pace.

Hutson also reminded the parents of the essential roles which they should play in a child’s life and more so their education.

The guest speaker noted, “you are a protector, you are required to show great interest in your children by watching out for them; you are expected to make frequent visits to the school and make the necessary inputs in enhancing the chances of improved performance. Parents also need to be sustainers and willing to invest in the education of their children; they must also encourage their children.”

Giving the school’s report for the academic year 2018 to 2019 was the Principal of the Mackenzie High School, Haslyn Small, who revealed that the school gained an eighty-four percent pass rate at this year’s Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examination, with Tonesia Jacobis copping the top position of the school and Region 10 with eight grade 1’s and three grade 2’s.

Small also announced that the school achieved an overall percentage pass of 90.4 at the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination with Isaiah Barton and Naomi Marshall both tying at first position for the school and Region 10.
Additionally, he said that an effective school is determined by the level of curricular and co-curricular activities pursued and as such the Mackenzie School takes its motto, ‘We work and play,’ seriously.

During the academic year 2018-2019, students were exposed to team building activities such as debates, sports, Mashramani competitions and jump rope competition.
In November 2019, MHS emerged the winner of the ‘2019 Joseph Oscar Fitzclarence Haynes memorial debating competition’. The school also won the ‘Office of the Prime Minister, Department of Governance, Constitutional Reform 2019 debating competition’.
Small noted that upon review of the school’s action plan, MHS administration is projecting to improve its overall percentage pass at CSEC from the mid 80’s to 90 per cent.
“Academic year 2018-2019 can be summed up as successful. However, with hard work, determination and team spirit, we will strive for excellence. With God’s help we will carve a niche in the education system,” Small stated.