THE Zorg Primary School in the remote East Canje, Berbice, district held its 9th annual graduation and prize-giving ceremony on Thursday last to honour the four students who were successful at the 2013 National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA).

The school boasts a 100% pass rate and all the students gained places at ‘B’ Grade secondary schools.
Rollanda Jairaj led the way with 408 marks and gained a place at Tutorial Academy Secondary School, along with Davanand Seecharran, 377. Ravindra Shiamsundar, 405 and Marcia New Year, 402, gained places at Berbice Educational Institute.
In delivering her report, headmistress of the school, Mrs. Moira Thomas, said that the 2012/13 academic year started with a vision under the caption, ‘Competent and qualified staff delivering the curriculum to all pupils; producing a maximum of 75% of their overall academic achievement in a child-friendly environment’.
The Zorg Primary School, which is located some six miles from the Gangaram Settlement, serves four villages – Volkert’s Lust, Bachelor’s Adventure, Zorg and New Forest.
“On September 3rd 2012, Zorg Primary School began the academic year with an enrolment of eight pupils and three teachers, including one graduate head of school. The school has its full complement of staff. There were no grade two pupils enlisted to write the National Grade Two Examinations but I am pleased to inform that every child who sat the NGSA were awarded places at secondary schools,” the head teacher noted.

AMBASSADORS
Delivering the feature address to the graduates was retired educator, Ms. Carmen Hardyal, who encouraged the students to be disciplined, willing and to be good ambassadors of their school.
“Every right is accommodated by a responsibility and you are responsible for the kind of behaviour that is expected of you. The level of respect you demonstrate for others will either make you or break you; you will be ambassadors of your new school and you will remain ones for Zorg Primary School. You will be judged based on your behaviour,” she declared.
Ms. Hardyal also urged the class of 2013, to study diligently and always persevere in order to succeed.
“Even if you happen to encounter failure along the way, keep striving for betterment. It matters not which school you attend, but it is what you achieve at the end of your secondary school phase of life,” she advised.

CHARGE
The charge to the graduates was delivered by their teacher, Ms. Uleta Pearson, who reminded them that the foundation for higher learning has been laid and it is now for them to build upon their NGSA achievement.
“The challenges ahead will be great but you are endowed with the necessary skills to overcome the hurdles. I would like to charge you to be regular, punctual and receptive in your next stage; stay away from drugs, bad influences and always strive for excellence,” she charged.
The graduation ceremony was enlivened with inspirational skits, songs, dances and reflections by the class of 2013.