Hamilton tops again as…
SUZANNE Hamilton of Mackenzie High School (MHS), who topped the 2008 Caribbean Secondary Examination Certificate (CSEC) candidates, has emerged the best candidate at this year’s Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE).

She had secured ten passes, including eight grade ones at the CSEC and obtained a grade one, a grade two and three grade threes at the CAPE.

The next best performer for MHS at this year’s CAPE was Tamika Clarke with three grade twos, one grade three and one grade four.

Third was Tenisha Hope, who got two grade twos and two grade fours while Faith London, fourth, copped two grade threes and two grade fours.

Melissa Chapman followed with two grade threes, one grade four and one grade five.

The 30 candidates who sat CAPE attained a higher pass rate than those in pervious years, In 2008 the school showed an 82.4 per cent pass rate and, this year, it 88.5 per cent.

Twelve subjects were offered at CAPE, Information Technology, Mathematics, Communication Studies, Law, Environmental Science, Caribbean Studies, History, Advanced Accounting, Geography, Management of Business, Biology and Spanish.

MHS achieved 100 per cent passes in Information Technology, Communication Studies, Caribbean Studies, Environmental Science, Geography and Management of Business.

In an interview, Hamilton said:“I feel very happy and to be on top once more after the hard work I put in my studies. To prepare for the examination, I had set a study timetable which I kept and it helped me to stay organised with my subjects and it was a great benefit.”

She added:“I would like to give thanks to my God and Saviour Jesus Christ because, without him, I would not have been here and my success would not have been possible.”

Hamilton also thanked her parents and other family members, for always being there and offering the support, guidance and help whenever it was needed.

She was grateful, too, to the subject teachers for their effort at helping her to be successful.

MHS Headteacher, Mrs. Cheryl McDonald was proud of her students’ performance at CAPE but remarked that parents need to play a more active part in their children’s education.

“They need to work with them and to ensure that the children get the necessary text books, attend school regularly and punctually. They need to come and speak with the teachers, so that they would know exactly what is happening because, what we found this year, is that some of the children were very relaxed during the months and I had to call in parents frequently to update them on their children’s performance,” she said.

McDonald said there is room for improvement and the school is expecting better grades.