The Seventh-day Adventist Church Central Jamaica Conference hosted graduation exercises for five (5) of its educational institutions, from June 25 to July 2, 2023. The institutions, Willowdene High, Victor Dixon High, Willowdene Preparatory, West Indies College Preparatory, and Campbells Castle Preparatory, are located within the parishes of Manchester and St. Catherine. Collectively, more than a hundred excited students gathered together with their parents at various sites for the first face-to-face (F2F) graduation since covid-19.
The Victor Dixon High School’s graduation was the first of the five, held on Sunday, June 25, 2023, at the NCU Gymnatorium, Mandeville, with guest presenter Dr Heather Silvera. Forty-four students graduated, and the top achievers were Joshaye Smith, Joseph Onywere, Samuel Mekala, and Brittania Walker.
Immediately following, Campbells Castle Preparatory hosted its graduation service on Tuesday, June 27, 2023, at the Campbells Castle SDA church, Manchester, with guest presenter Mrs Rox-Anne McKoy-Chambers. Nine students graduated and among them was top Primary Exit Profile (PEP) achiever Wayne Brooks. The passes resulted in placement at three traditional high schools - Manchester High, Ferncourt High, and Marcus Garvey High, two Bellefield High, and four Winston Jones High.
The Willowdene Preparatory graduated forty-eight (48) students Wednesday, June 28, 2023, at O.B McKenzie Auditorium, St. Catherine, with guest presenter Mrs Rox-Anne McKoy-Chambers.
Fifteen of these students started their education at the early childhood division and were transferred to the preparatory school. New Vice Principal Mrs Brenda James was noticeably happy as she shared in the achievements of Top Girl- Aly-Anna Holness and Top- Boy Nathaniel Yee. Mrs James started working at the school in 1989 and previously served as Grade Supervisor and Senior Teacher.
Meanwhile, West Indies College Preparatory School, held its graduation on July 2, 2023, at the NCU Gymnatorium, Mandeville, with guest presenter Dr. Bongelo Gombele. Forty-seven (47) students graduated, (23 boys and 24 girls).
The Top achievers were Marquez Barrett and Janae Lord. While 92% of the students achieved proficient and highly proficient performance. The class average performance score equalled 284.2, and the highest score was 341.
The Willowdene High School graduated 45 students, on July 2, 2023. The service was held at O.B McKenzie Auditorium, St. Catherine, with guest presenter Dr Keisha Sterling Richards. Approximately twelve students from that batch were students who started the institution, as early as the Early Childhood Division.
These students have been exposed to an unwavering, impactful, and wholesome Christian education and have managed to do well at the CSEC Level before entering Grade 11. For example, the Head Boy, Javen Gayle has left the institution with already eight (8) CSEC subjects under his belt. We also have other students such as Sharie Angus six (6) CSEC Subjects, Nathania Wilmot five (5) CSEC subjects, Jordan Bulgin, Ranya-Lee Taylor, and Bradley Yee - three (3) CSEC subjects, Navardo Brown, and Jona Wright two (2) CSEC subjects, and Jerome Saunders one (1) CSEC subject.
Registration is now ongoing for all schools, for the new school year beginning September 2023.