Students who play chess, read a lot, have the support of dedicated teachers, and involved parents, are some of the factors cited for Maverley Primary School’s impressive performance in this year’s Primary Exit Profile (PEP) examinations.

The St Andrew-based school, in the sometimes troubled community, recorded improvements in all subject areas this year when compared to last year, with the top-three students, all boys, placed in top-ranked traditional high schools for September.

“We have a lot of proficient students compared to last year and that is good improvement,” said school Principal Valentine Spencer.

He said students who did not get their first choice have successfully applied to traditional high schools. Spencer credited his team members for playing a major role in the students’ results.

“Overall, it is the effort from the teachers, from the entire staff, I must say. We also had students from Immaculate Conception High School who have been coming to the school on a weekly basis to assist the children with their academics,” he explained.

Of the 44 Maverley Primary students who sat the exams, 17 are on Pathway 1 — an increase over last year — and 20 on Pathway 2. In addition to taking students on field trips, administrators have also introduced chess to pupils.

“It is a great motivation factor. Chess must be a part of what we do at the school. The majority of our students from about grade three up are playing,” Spencer said as he argued that the game has contributed to academic improvement.

The sport, the principal said, has helped with critical thinking and that, “can account for the grades along with the other things that we have done”.

There is also a great emphasis on reading, and for the upcoming school year they have already started to look at how the school can improve in that area as well as critical thinking and mathematics. There will also be an effort to get more parents involved.

“I have found that the children who are performing best, apart from their natural ability, with parental involvement they have stepped up above all the other students. We would love for all the parents to come on board and follow the instructions that we are giving them,” said Spencer.

Top student Caleb Newland, who will be going to Calabar High School, credits his success to support he received from home and at school.

“My mother and my stepfather, they made sure I studied at least three times a day. Miss Fridginate did an excellent job in grade six in teaching us, especially science,” he shared.

Travaine Graham, one of the school’s top-three students, was not surprised he did well. He will attend Jamaica College when the new school term begins.

“I always come first in my class, I always get a high grade, and I always pray and study with my mom,” he said.

Travaine’s mother Afranci Brooks, who said her son sometimes studied for PEP beyond midnight, said she did her best to keep him motivated. She lauded his English teacher, who she identified as Mrs Fridginate, for working closely with parents and guiding students. She said the educator ensured that her son only missed school if he was seriously ill.

“She will call and ask what was wrong with him. Once she felt like that was not a good excuse, she said, ‘Mommy, send him out to school’,” said Brooks.

The main objective of PEP is to enhance the academic and critical-thinking capabilities and creativity of students by the end of primary-level education. It commences with a series of assessments at grade four and ends in grade six. The three main categories are Performance Task, Ability Test, and Curriculum Test.

— JIS

Head boy at Maverley Primary and Infant School Tayshawn Graham, who will be going to Jamaica College, displays his trophies at the school, recently.

One of the top three male students at Maverley Primary and Infant School, Geomar Simpson, shows off his trophies at the school, recently.

Top girl at Maverley Primary and Infant School, Shanoya Campbell, who will be going to Merl Grove High School, displays her trophies and gifts, at the institution, recently.