ST CATHERINE, Jamaica – Twelve-year-old Rashmi Gibbore is not only celebrating her achievement as Top Girl in the 2025 sitting of the Primary Exit Profile (PEP) examination, she is also proudly stepping into a pair of familiar school shoes – literally and figuratively – as the fourth sister in her family to attend the prestigious Ardenne High School in Kingston.

“All of my three sisters went there and they are brilliant students. So, I expect the teachers to be really good, especially from what they’ve said about them,” she told JIS News.

At Kensington Primary School in St Catherine, Rashmi’s academic star had long been rising.

She is a yearly recipient of trophies and certificates and was the top student in PEP for grades four, five and six at her school.

“I didn’t really have a favourite subject. I liked all of them equally,” she said.

In grade five, the brightest students were paired with classmates who needed extra support.

Rashmi proved to be an exceptional tutor, as her partner went on to receive the award for Most Improved Student.

Rashmi placed 10th in the Mathematical Olympiad in April, and at her recent graduation she received six awards, including the award for Most Outstanding Graduate.

She served as a prefect and was a member of the Maths club and Art club, striking a balance between academics and creativity.

Her father, Rowan Gibbore, told JIS News that Ardenne has been the family’s school of choice primarily due to its proximity to his workplace.

A systems administrator at the Jamaica Public Service (JPS), he always carved time out of his busy schedule to help Rashmi with maths and science.

Her mother, Salema Gibbore, the hands-on multitasker, handled everything from transportation to project preparation and ensuring assignments were completed on time.

Salema noted that daily extra classes, early morning classes as well as Saturday classes were instrumental in helping Rashmi to reinforce some topics.

They both agreed that their daughter’s success stems from something deeper – her discipline and dedication and their tight-knit family bond.

Rashmi shared that on the day PEP results were released, she did not know what to expect.

“I was actually really happy, especially when my teacher told me that I was the top student for my school,” she said.

She noted that most of her classmates were placed at their first-choice school and they all celebrated with a class party.

“I was over the moon. I was so happy and then I showed the text to my husband. He was also happy. We are all on a high,” Salema shared.

As Rashmi gears up to begin Ardenne High in September, she is motivated by her family and future.

“People are going to continue expecting good things to come from me, especially academically. I definitely hope to live up to those expectations as well,” she told JIS News.

She aspires to become a fashion designer, an unexpected path that reflects her passion for creativity and self-expression.

“I want to have a job that will make me happy but will also make good money. I just want to live carefree and enjoy my life,” Rashmi said.

— JIS