Just under sixty students say goodbye to their alma mater
by Emmanuel H. Joseph Government Information Service
Graduating class of 2011
When the blessing was giving by Miss Edina Darwton at approximately 1:05pm on Wednesday, June 22nd, 2011 at the Arawak House of Culture, by then, fifty-six students had officially bade farewell to their Alma Mater, Dominica Grammar School, a place where they called home for the past five to six years. This was in contrast to the ninety-four who graduated last year.
The ceremony was attended by Education officials including the Hon. Minister of Education, Petter St. Jean, Senior Education Officer for Secondary Schools Mrs Windith Henderson, former Principals of the Dominica Grammar School, members of the Diplomatic Corps, Hon. Parliamentary Representative for the Roseau Central Constituency, Norris Prevost, parents and well-wishers.
Principal of the Dominica Grammar School, Ms Alicia Jean-Jacques, highlighted some of the school’s achievement for the just concluding school year.
“I am proud to report that the overall pass rate improved from 79.5% in 2009 to 85.5% in 2010. There were other encouraging indicators from the results like 100% passes in Human and Social Biology, Agricultural Science, Food and Nutrition Office Administration, Home Management Woods, Electricity, Integrated Science and Technical Drawing. Ten other subjects recorded above 80% passes. English Language needs particular mention with 92%of the students obtaining passing grades.”
Notwithstanding the slight drop in the number of teachers at the DGS, Miss Jean-Jacques stated that there were noteworthy accomplishments by the school in the academic area.
“There is constant review of our curriculum as we try to meet the needs of our very large and diverse group and to keep in line with the National Curriculum… Agriculture was introduced in First form this year for the first time. The programme’s success has been encouraging, and it is my hope that all students who pass through the portals of the DGS will at least be able to have a backyard garden which could be the envy of their neighbours. The business subjects and Food and Nutrition continue to have very large numbers, being the most popular options at the school.”
Principal of the Dominica Grammar School, Ms Alicia Jean-Jacques
The Principal went on to state that students at the school also contribute meaningfully in non-academics.
“In addition to following the curriculum in various disciplines, the students have been very involved in numerous co and extracurricular activities on a daily basis. There was an emphasis this year on being active participators in clubs and groups. We saw increased activity in clubs that already existed and we saw the introduction of new clubs. We have the Environmental Club, the French club, the 4H club, the Prayer Club, the Literary Club, the Cultural Club, the Steel Band, the Adventure Club, the Football Club and the Choir. Students of the school have participated in many external competitions. At the School Arts festival, we participated in choir presentation, solo, instrumental, choral speech, and dance. Our talent was very much on display, and our many medals attested to that.”
Being the largest secondary school on the island, the Dominica Grammar School continues to be faced with many challenges. According to Principal Jean-Jacques, some of these challenges do impact the ability of the school to function as it really should.
“There are many challenges which we face as a school and moreover, the largest secondary school on the island. We are in dire need of additional classroom place. This inadequacy does not allow us to split up our classes into smaller groups for students to get more individualised help nor does it allow us to get full use of our science labs since regular classes have to be held there thus preventing the lower school from having labs which are supposed to happen in that type of setting. Our students are sometimes unwilling to share the space available, and get into conflict just because they are touched or brushed aside accidentally. The numbers can be sometimes overwhelming. Just imagine that for the 2012 CSEC exams, we could be registering as many as 250 students to write these exams.”
The Principal also had some words of advice to the graduands.
“…there is no elevator to success; you have to take the stairs. The challenges which you encountered in achieving the goal of being a DGS graduate could have caused you to give up. You did not, and today, you are rewarded. There will be other setbacks as you continue your studies, (I encourage you to), hold on and have the Lord as your best friend. He will ensure that you make it. Be resilient and honest in whatever you do, and be the best you can be.”
Valedictorian, Candace Benjamin, sounded words of caution to the graduating class.
Valedictorian, Candace Benjamin
“So the choice is left to us. We can walk out in blissful contentment carelessly with our diplomas letting life pass us by or we can continue to ascend the stairs to success utilising our acquired knowledge.”
She further warned the graduands that it is only through hard work that success can be achieved.
“A word of caution: ‘Success is not a result of spontaneous combustion. You must set yourself on fire.’ So, don not expect success to fall into your lap; dream it, work at it and you will achieve it. In life, there will always be a path that is seemingly much easier. However, I urge you to learn from those who have gone ahead of us.”
Miss Benjamin reminded the students that their departure from the DGS was only the beginning of their educational journey.
“Need I remind you, friends, that this is just the beginning? New discoveries and opportunities await you so grasp all the knowledge that you can.”
The entire speech is available below in video format for viewing and listening.
In her feature address, Featured Speaker, herself being a former student of the Dominica Grammar School, Dr. Rachel Andrews admonished the students as they celebrated their graduation under the theme, ‘There is no elevator to success; you have to take their stairs’ to observe clearly that their theme suggests that success takes time. Moreover, they should realise that success is journey, not a goal.
“Your theme for this year…is quite timely since you live in a highly technological and quick-paced era. It is an age of internet, blackberries, laptops, instant messages and so on. An age which clearly promotes over development of your primitive and instinctive drives which demands instant gratification. This leads you to believe that everything always should be at your fingertips. It makes you believe that hard work is a thing of the past and that all you need to do is push a button. But, your theme puts you back on track. It helps you realise that success takes time.”
Featured Speaker, Dr. Rachel Andrews
Dr. Andrews cautioned that graduating class that things may not be all that glossy as they think it is, now that they are heading into the world.
“The world is not that wonderful place that you might think it is from your perspective right now. Along the journey of that staircase, you may find persons who will want to push you back down for no apparent reason; maybe just because they can, maybe because they are bigger than you or maybe because they feel threatened by you. Do not let these bruises or even broken bones from that fall stop you. Just dust off and keep climbing to your goal knowing that you are in pursuit of that which will ultimately make you happy.”
In issuing a clarion call to the graduands, Dr. Andrew begged those entering the service industry to lift the standard of customer relations.
“Please try to improve customer relations and service in every department that you work. I am frequently disappointed with services received in these areas. Attendants behave like you are imposingly asking that they take time out of their busy schedule to attend to you. I implore you, please, let us change that attitude and establish better rapport with our customers. I call you to return the simple courtesies to where they belong: good morning, thank you, please, excuse me, yes sir, no ma’am. It seems to basic but it is these things that continuously lacking today.”
Here is Dr. Andrew's entire speech.
Performances at the graduation came from the graduates, Denzel Morancie, the DGS choir and a piece from some of the teachers.
Here’s a number from the graduating class.
Sweeping through the prices and awards were Valedictorian, Candace Benjamin who won the Dr. Irvin Pascal Award for History, award for effort and consistency, outstanding academic achievement, subject prices in English language, French, Information Technology, Academics from her form 5-1 class; Zechariah Maxine who was voted Student of the year and won awards for Royal Bank Award for Business, Venezuelan Institute Award in Spanish, award for Initiative, outstanding academic achievement, subject prices for Office Administration, Principle of Accounts and Principle of Business. He also won class award in academics for from 5-4. Other top performers were Garvin Joseph Eleesha Hilaire and Michael George.
In his address at the graduation ceremony, Hon. Minister for Education and Human Resource Management, Petter Saint Jean, told the graduating class that they were only moving from one phase to another of their life’s journey.
“This occasion represents a significant milestone in the lives of students because it serves as a watershed, between past successes and future aspirations. You have just completed yet another chapter in your life’s novel. I sincerely hope that this new chapter which you are about to begin will be one marked by significant achievements and tremendous success.”
He said that this is so because the technological advancements made today ensures that we need to be constantly equipping ourselves to meet those challenges.
Hon. Minister for Education and Human Resource Management, Petter Saint Jean
“Today, technological advancement and globalization have brought about new challenges to our work and daily life. This requires a new skills set and a new approach to learning. Adapting to today’s fast moving world requires continuous education, to upgrade our knowledge and skills to remain current. Continuous education is a necessity for survival in this dynamic and rapidly changing technological world.”
The Education Minister stressed that education is key to a country’s success and their graduation helps them prepare to make that contribution to nation building.
“It is the view of many people all over the world that the quality of education is a prerequisite for the attainment of a country’s developmental goal. We believe that education as the key to our social and economic growth and it does so through its products….its graduands….persons like you the class of 2011. You are a product of the education system. You are a product of this prestigious institution, the Dominica Grammar School and you are expected to contribute meaningfully to our country’s growth and development.”
Here is a photo album of the day's proceedings including students receiving awards.
