DANE Dipchand spends a lot of time engaged in recreational activities, whether sports or video gaming. But he’s never allowed that to undermine his academic performance, though he’s had a few close calls.

This is evidenced by the 16-year-old’s recent performance in the Caribbean Secondary Education Certificate (CSEC) exams. The Campion College student earned a grade one in nine subjects — mathematics, English language, English literature, biology, chemistry, physics, French, Spanish, and information technology (IT).

“I still can’t believe what has happened. To this day, I still can’t believe it,” an elated Dane told Career & Education, marvelling at the straight A profile he received in seven of those subjects.

Despite his surprise at the straight A profiles in the CSEC subjects, excellence has been a pattern of behaviour for Dane, certainly when it comes to academics.

While at Sts Peter and Paul Preparatory School, he kept himself on the Honour Roll and maintained that status up to fourth form at Campion, where he is currently involved in karate, swimming and the school’s science club.

Still, Dane is moved by his most recent achievement.

“Whenever I get these achievements, I have a humbled pride,” he said, adding that his parents and teachers deserve much of the credit.

“(They) have contributed to all my accomplishments,” Dane noted.

His next move is to sit the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations (CAPE) for which he will begin his preparations when he enters Campion’s sixth form programme next month. He will study biology, chemistry, physics, IT, and communication studies which is compulsory.

His performance in CAPE, he hopes, will further his career ambitions in medicine.

“I plan to study medicine along with IT and I would like to lecture in medicine, maybe radiology because I love to teach,” said the young man whose father Terrence Dipchand is a medical doctor.

Dr Dipchand has praised his son’s performance.

“To say I’m proud as a parent is an understatement. I know how all parents who have had children receiving nine (grade) ones feel. I always knew he had the capability — all his reports said he had the potential. We are very, very proud,” noted Dane’s mother Umblita Dipchand.

Still, both parents admitted that there was a time when they feared for their child’s performance — given his apparent obsession with video games.

“We were worried because of the fact that he was playing so often and times when he was supposed to be studying he had games hidden,” his mother said.

“(But then) he buckled down (and studied up to 1:00 am on days during December and January),” she added of her son who himself admitted to having “slacked off” at times.

In the end, it worked out and Dane now has the CSEC subjects to show for it.

Now, the Dipchands have some advice for other parents.

“One, always supervise your child with homework (and) speak to the teachers and colleagues. This helps (you to) assess your child. Two, always hug your child; it gives you a bond with them. And three, allow them to have their playtime, after all, they’re kids,” Dr Dipchand told Career & Education.

Dane, for his part, has encouraged other students to cultivate good work and study ethics on their journey to sitting CSEC and other exams, but hastened to add that “all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy”.