THE Santa Rosa Secondary School, Region One (Barima/ Waini), had a turbulent school year 2009-2010, but the head teacher, Glen De La Cruz, said the students performed admirably at the recent Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) examinations.
According to him, there were 18.9 per cent Grades One to Two passes, 54.5 per cent Grades One to Three passes, and 82 per cent Grades One to Four passes.
He added that the top student is Ms. Nicasie Richards, who secured three Grades One, six Twos and one Three.
“We did well when you consider the problems we had last year,” De La Cruz said.
Residents in the area, around mid 2009, were baffled by a mystery illness whose cause was a highly debatable issue, as some residents believed the problem was something diabolical.
Though the issue was never quite resolved, and while the views of the cause of the illness cause remain varied, residents are content with no longer having to deal with it.
The illness resurfaced in February 2009, after causing some problems four years ago. Over 65 girls between the ages of 13 and 18 were affected.
Tests done by health personnel were unsuccessful in ascertaining the cause, with no obvious genetic or other links, nor long-term physical consequences.
The only diagnosis was given by a US based psychologist who proffered that the illness was a case of mass hysteria or mass contagion.

New Start

De La Cruz said the new school year started on a hectic note and pointed out that this year’s enrollment totalled some 210 students.
“Our school population is now 740 students,” he said.
When asked, the head teacher said staffing is not much of a problem, and stated that the school needs two Integrated Science teachers, one Principles of Business teacher, one Principles of Accounts teacher, one Office Administration teacher, and one Mathematics teacher.
De La Cruz added that there have been some advancements at the school and pointed out that Santa Rosa Secondary now boasts an Information Technology (IT) Department.
“We also need another IT teacher; but apart from these, we hope to have a good year at the school,” he said.