‘School of the Nations’ girl is 2017 NGSA top performer

Jul 01, 2017 News

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It was 12-year-old Saskia Twahir of the privately operated School of the Nations who was named the country’s top National Grade Six Assessment [NGSA] performer when the results were announced yesterday by
Minister of Education, Ms. Nicolette Henry.

Twahir secured 524 marks. The highest possible score that was attainable for the assessment was 529.

The second place was shared by five candidates, Clifton Bacchus of Mae’s Under 12; Gabriella Roberts of Success Elementary;  Xiana Chabila of Graham’s Hall Primary; and Amelia Sugrim and Antonia Dey of the Academy of Excellence.

A total of nine candidates secured 522 marks to share seventh position. They are Brandon Gouveia of the Academy of Excellence; Emily Lalchand of the Academy of Excellence; Raj Seeram of Swami Purnananda Primary; Tristan Persaud of the Academy of Excellence; Jerod Roberts of Marian Academy; Tristan Richards of Dharmic Rama Krishna; Muhammad Bacchus of ISA Islamic; Tia Chung of Success Elementary and Kripa Thani of Mae’s Under 12.

Of the aforementioned top performers only one hailed from a public school – Graham’s Hall. All other pupils are from privately operated schools.

When the NGSA was held on April 12 and April 13 last, a total of 13,329 candidates from both public and private schools participated.

According to Minister Henry, pupils were assessed in the subject areas of Mathematics, with the highest attainable score being 132; Science, with the highest attainable score being 132; English, with the highest attainable score being 132 and Social Studies, with the highest attainable score being 133.

In each subject area the assessments consisted of two papers – Paper One [multiple choice questions] and Paper Two [essay and/or open-ended type questions].  The areas tested in the area of Mathematics were thinking, algorithm and reasoning; in Science knowledge, comprehension and application were tested; for Social Studies knowledge, understanding and use of knowledge was tested while for English Language candidates were assessed for reading, comprehension, vocabulary, structure, mechanics, content, language and organisation.

Minister Henry at the announcement forum held at the Ministry’s Brickdam, Georgetown Boardroom, said improvements were recorded in all the subject areas for 2017 when compared to what obtained in 2016.

According to her, while in 2016 the Ministry embarked on a strategic collaboration with the Caribbean Examination Council [CXC] to improve the quality of all primary grade assessments. The partnership continued this year and saw teachers, subject specialists, test development officers, developing the assessment items with technical guidance from CXC.

“The team sought to address key areas such as item construction, weighing of the item, sampling and other psychometric elements,” Minister Henry disclosed.

Minister Henry disclosed the names of several pupils who made up the top one percent including the top 10 performers of each education district.

TOP PERFORMERS

Saskia Twahir – 524 marks

“I am ecstatic; all of my hard work for six years has finally paid off,” said 12-year-old Saskia Twahir of School of the Nations. Twahir was the top performer of the 2017 NGSA. According to the evidently elated lass, she owes her success to her parents – Salim and Balena Twahir and certainly her teachers.

Although the 524 marks she secured will comfortably allow her to attend the country’s premier secondary school – Queen’s College – Twahir said that she is still to make a decision where she will complete her secondary education.

She already envisions attending an Ivy League University in order to get her Master’s in Business Administration degree. This is important for her since she hopes to one day become a successful business woman and even take over her father’s business – Knight Riders Bus Service.

Clifton Bacchus – 523

“I feel great,” was the eager response of 12-year-old Clifton Bacchus of Mae’s Under 12, when asked how he felt about his performance. He hopes to one day become a pilot. Of course he intends to make time for some fun too.

Gabriella Roberts – 523 marks

Eleven-year-old Gabriella Roberts was not timid at all to proclaim that “Jesus Christ gave me the ability,” when she spoke of her performance.  She also credits the support she gained from her teachers and parents and classmates as well as those who encouraged her. The Success Elementary pupil is jubilant.

Xiana Chabila – 523 marks

Her parents were described as Xiana Chabila’s main supporters. The 11-year-old who hopes to eventually undertake medical studies, with a focus on becoming a paediatrician, gained 523 marks and has the opportunity to attend Queen’s College.  The Graham’s Hall pupil when asked why she hopes to become a paediatrician said, “My paediatrician inspires me a lot.”

Amelia Sugrim – 523

Twelve-year-old Amelia Sugrim of the Academy of Excellence in Region Three said that she is excited with her performance which she said was aided by her ever supportive parents and teachers, among others. Although her next move is to attend Queen’s College for now, she hopes to also become a paediatrician some day.

Antonia Dey – 523 marks

Antonia Dey said that her parents and teachers were helpful even as she aspired to do well at the 2017 NGSA. The Academy of Excellence lass who has gained a place at Queen’s College said that her desire is to one day become a successful writer. “I love reading books and I love literature,” said Dey who anticipates that she will continue to do well at the secondary level.

Brandon Gouveia – 522 marks

Brandon Gouveia another pupil of the Region Three Academy of Excellence said that he was anticipating good results from the ‘get-go’.  “This is a big break for me,” he exclaimed as a wide smile formed on his face. He said that studying a great deal was the key to his success in addition to the support of his mother and teachers. He hopes to attend Queen’s College and one day become a Chemist.

Emily Lalchand – 522 marks

According to 12-year-old Emily Lalchand, she could not have been as successful as she is without the support of her parents and teachers. The young lass will attend Queen’s College. Following her secondary education and further studies, Lalchand said that she anticipates that she will pursue studies to become a lawyer.

Jerod Roberts – 522 marks

An outspoken Jerod Roberts of Marian Academy was able to gain a place at Queen’s College.  The 11-year-old expressed appreciation to his teachers and was anxious to share that he one day hopes to become a pilot.

Tristan Richards – 522 marks

The family members of Tristan Richards, especially his parents, were instrumental in his performance. The Dharmic Rama Krishna pupil said too that his teachers gave him the requisite support that helped him to focus and ultimately succeed. Although the 11 year-old said he is prepared for secondary studies he has not yet decided on his future career.

Muhammad Bacchus – 522 marks

Eleven year-old Bacchus is not sure which school he will attend to pursue his secondary studies although he has been granted placement at Queen’s College. The pupil of ISA Islamic Academy however said that he is eyeing a career as an auditor since according to him, “it pays a lot of money

Tia Chung – 522 marks

Tia Chung of the Success Elementary Primary credits her success to parents and other family members, all of her teachers, especially Ms Africo Selma and Sir Wilfred Success. Chung will more than likely attend Queen’s College but hopes to eventually become a Neurologist and also a Member of Parliament.

Kripa Thani – 522 marks

Eleven-year-old Mae’s Under 12 pupil, Kripa Thani, like her counterparts was high in praise for the support she received from her parents and teachers. She however noted that her mother was especially supportive along the way. Thani hopes to embrace a business-oriented profession.

Tristan Persaud – 522 marks

Tristan Persaud of the Academy of Excellence has also been able to secure a place at Queen’s College.

Raj Seeram – 522 marks

Also claiming a place at Queen’s College is Raj Seeram of the Swami Purnananda Primary School.

According to information made available by the Ministry the cut-off scores for the country’s sixth form schools are Queen’s College – 512; The Bishops High – 508; St. Stanislaus College – 504; St. Rose’s High – 501; St. Joseph High – 497 and President’s College – 485.

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