The two top GSAT students at the Manchioneal All Age school are both looking forward to continuing their education at Titchfield High, after earning averages of over 90 per cent in the recently held examination.

Ariel Wright and Melicia Parker topped the school’s performance with 94.2 and 91 per cent averages, respectively.

Sophia Brown-Wright, Ariel’s mother, was pleased with her child’s performance: “Ariel is self-motivated, always prepared, and I don’t have to force her to do anything and I don’t stop her from doing any fun thing she wants to do. She watches television and when it’s study time, she knows. When she gets home from school in the evenings she gets her bath, sleep, wake up, have a glass of milk, and then to her studies. I feel very proud of her as she says ‘she has done her best’. She employs that level of discipline and I don’t have to push her to do anything. She is a member of the 4H Club and she helps around the house, as she is a disciplined child.”

Ariel was very happy and pleased with her performance.

“I am very happy because I worked hard and got what I wanted. I wanted to pass for Titchfield and get good grades, and I got it. I got 100 for social studies, 99 for mathematics and 95 for science. I went to classes and read a lot about and practised the mathematics as I did a lot of work.

“I want to study astronomy and be and astronomer. I also like to watch television and do public speaking,” she added.

Melicia Parker said she expected to well, and was pleased with the outcome of her efforts.

“I expected to do well, as I had prepared for the examination and my mother encouraged me. I like to watch television, play with my phone, text, use the computer. I’m involved in a dance group at school, drama, the Spelling B, and I’m a prefect. I want to be a surgeon and I’m looking forward to continue to do well” she said.

Vidona Sylva-Parker was over joyed with the results obtained by her daughter.

“I’m overwhelmed and she is a student who always perform well from grade one coming up and I had no doubts she would do well and she did extremely well, and I’m very proud of her.

“I expected her to do well as whatever she puts out she gets and I always encourage her to do her best. She has something like a photographic memory and does not do a lot of studying, as she is involved in a number of activities at school. Once she reads it she remembers — that’s how she is. In grade four she took part in everything the school is participating in — 4H, drama, Spelling B and athletics,” she said smiling.

GSAT teacher, Simone Dixon-Clarke, was particularly happy with her students’ performance.

“These two girls have always been working very hard, and are dedicated and committed to the tasks ahead of them. They do things on their own. When you give them a task you can always depend on them to do it,” an obviously proud teacher said.

Dixon-Clarke supports the ministry of education proposal to phase out the GSAT, but has reservations on the project students will have to do.

“It is a good move but on the other hand when it comes to the projects, I am wondering how these students will be supervised. Will they be getting help from outside sources as some will not be able to do it on their own. So how are they going to handle this? The teacher alone cannot supervise the projects and we need to ensure that the project is done by the students only, that is my concern,” she expressed.

“The continuous assessment is really good, as some students are just not good at examinations.

“Parents need to support their children and supervise them, as they play a vital role in their education. Those who support their children, you see it in their performance. I am pleased and satisfied in the school’s performance and I’ve seen some improvement in some students,” she said.