The Primary School Examination results are in and as we first told you last night – they are not good. The national average for social studies, science, and most of all on math have all decreased and there was a marginal increase in performance on English. We’ll give you analysis of the numbers shortly but first to the good news and to the top finishers. As we told you, the top finisher is 12 year old Demi Bellini from Our Lady of Guadalupe RC School in Belmopan. We travelled to Belmopan this morning to meet the quiet and shy overachiever.
Keith SwiftReporting,
In her class at Our Lady of Guadalupe RC School in Belmopan, Demi Bellini is attentive and quiet. But as unassuming as this 12 year old looks among her peers – she isn’t just another student – Demi topped this year’s Primary School Examination, the first student from Our Lady of Guadalupe to do so.
Demi Bellini, First in PSE
“I knew I would come in probably the top ten or the top three but I didn’t expect all the way at first place. It was a shock kind of.”
Keith Swift,
What made you so sure you would have placed in the top ten?
Demi Bellini,
“Because while doing the exam, I found it easy and I knew that my answers were correct and I knew I would do my best. It felt good to know that my work had paid off and that I earned it.”
Keith Swift,
What sort of work did you put into preparing for the PSE?
Demi Bellini,
“Well I studied every night, I stayed up late and just worked hard in class and at home too.”
Keith Swift,
A lot of other students didn’t do so well. What do you think you did that was right?
Demi Bellini,
“Well I was serious about it for a long time before it came and I had studied and worked hard and in school I talked to my teachers about it and they helped us from long before too. We had extra classes and all that.”
Servando Cho, Std. 6 Teacher - Our Lady of Guadalupe
“I was not really surprised because Demi is a very smart child, outstanding child in my class. At first I knew she was going to top our school but I didn’t know that she was going to top students from the whole country. I do believe
that any school is capable of doing good once you have the support of the parents, teachers, and the child as well.”
In a close second is Suraye Solis from St. Ignatius Primary School, the only student from Belize City in the top 5.
Suraye Solis, 2nd in PSE
“It feels good and I know I did my best to earn the spot. I believe in more continuously passing all through primary school and especially in standard six instead of just stressing yourself out for one year. So I continuously passed and then in standard six I just gave myself a little extra push and I attended everything mandatory; school, Saturday classes, and morning class. And also you have to pay attention in class, pay keen attention, listen to your teacher and don’t like be talking and stuff like that.”
Keith Swift,
Did you expect to finish at the top?
Suraye Solis,
“Not really I thought I would do well but not that good.”
Keith Swift,
What was your reaction when you learnt you finished 2nd?
Suraye Solis,
“I was happy and surprised and shocked but I did well and so I am very happy about that.”
These four students from Hummingbird Primary are also happy. That is because starting with Zhanae Sutherland who tied for sixth place – they all ranked
in the top 20. They say hard work got them there.
Zhanae Sutherland, 6th in PSE
“It was a surprise to me, even though I usually do well in school. I didn’t think I would do this good. I feel good to know that all my hard work paid off and I studied a lot and my parents helped me and so I feel good right now.”
Keith Swift,
What do you think you did that was right?
Zhanae Sutherland,
“Well I definitely studied a lot and I did some research of my own and I listened to my teacher.”
Angelica Shamah, 20th in PSE
“I feel very proud of myself and very excited.”
Keith Swift,
What work went into preparation?
Angelica Shamah,
“I did a lot of studying and research.”
Najah Flowers, 11th in PSE
“I studied, I did research on my own and I listened to Miss Wade.”
Perry Diaz, 16th in PSE
“I basically researched and then tried my best on the exam and my parents helped me out with studying.”
Kristy Hulse, 10th in PSE (Cayo District)
“I gave it my all, 100%, actually 110%. I studied for this and I feel great, I am speechless actually.”
Keith Swift,
Did you expect to have done well?
Kristy Hulse,
“Yes because I studied hard and I know I am a bright student so that is it.”
Keith Swift,
What would you want to say to people who believe you have to come from one of these privates schools to do good?
Kristy Hulse,
“Well I would tell them they are wrong. Anybody could pass: public, private, government….”
We must note that Zhanae Sutherland from Hummingbird Elementary is tied in sixth place with Ryan Shen from Belize Elementary School. We attempted to speak with Shen but there were no classes this afternoon.
Also in the top ten are Brigette Ruby from Louisiana Government School in Orange Walk in third place, Disha Thadhani from St. Peter Claver RC School in Punta Gorda in fourth place, and Angeles Itzab from Mary Hill RC School in Corozal at 5th.
6th place is again tied between Ryan Shen from Belize Elementary and Zhanae Sutherland from Hummingbird Elementary Schools. In 8th place then it is Shajaira Cob from Garden City Primary School in Belmopan. Ninth is Justyn Craig from Belize Elementary School and at tenth is Kendra Pandy from St. Andrew’s Anglican School in Cayo.
The schools have not been ranked this year but rather they have been grouped. So for the private schools – Belize Elementary, Hummingbird Elementary, Bernice Yorke, and Solid Rock ranked on top. For public, or what are called grant aided schools, Mary Hill RC in Corozal, Guinea Grass Government School, St. Andrew’s in Cayo, and Pancotto Primary did well.
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