The top spot in this year’s National Grade 6 Examinations for Region 10 (Upper Demerara-Berbice) is shared by Jasmine Simpson of One Mile Primary School and Ravi Raymond of Regma Primary— who both scored 523 marks each.
Also placing in the region’s top 10 are Taniya Spencer of the Watooka Day Primary school and Tashaunsia Alder of Royal Halls of Learning with 520 marks each, followed by Jarem Fraser of the One Mile Primary school with 519 marks. They all have gained places at Queen’s College.
Other top students include Erykah Roberts of the Watooka Day Primary with 518 marks, Janae Bristol of Regma Primary with 515 marks, Ashanti Balgobin of the Amelia’s Ward Primary with 514 marks, Shaquon Ross of the Christianburg Primary with 513 marks and Yanell Easton of the Royal Halls of Learning who also secured 513 marks. They all secured places at Bishops’ High School.
Speaking with Sunday Times Magazine one of the top students, Jasmine Simpson, said she wants to become a lawyer. She recalled being surprised and overjoyed upon hearing the news of her achievements. While she expected to do well, topping the region is the icing on the cake.
“The preparations were filled with stressful and hardworking days, with almost sleepless nights”, she noted.
The aspiring lawyer accredited her success to the assistance she received from her parents and the teachers of One Mile Primary school. Simpson, whose hobbies are reading and singing, also expressed gratitude to the rest of her family for their encouragement and her friends for lending support throughout her journey.
The top student encouraged other students who would be sitting the examination next year to read a lot and make sacrifices in order to be successful. Following her educational journey at Queens College, Simpson said she wishes to pursue further studies at the University of Guyana.
11-year-old Jarem Fraser of One Mile Primary who placed 5th in the Region’s top 10 and 2nd for his school with 519 marks.
Fraser hails from Canvas City and he is an aspiring scientist. He had expected to place in the top 10.
“I’m happy that I was second place. It was very challenging. I read nights, mornings, in the evenings, before lessons on Sundays. I had to give up playing football, which is my hobby”, he related.
Fraser’s advice to students writing the examination in the future is that though it might be challenging, if they are persistent, they will be successful in the end. He said he wishes to further his studies overseas.
