Sixty graduate from PSS

The rain came but the 33rd Graduation Ceremony of the Portsmouth Secondary School (PSS) got off to a smooth start on Friday June 26, 2015 under the banner ‘Conceive, Believe, Cchieve’ at 10:25 am.

Sixty students, 25 boys and 35 girls who met the school’s gradation criteria, wore stoles of gold (Honour), olive green (Distinction), white (Merit) and yellow gold (Pass) each color signifying the students rank of achievement.

The ceremony, attended by Officials from the Ministry of Education, Parents, Sponsors, Faculty and Staff of PSS and other invited guests, began with the procession of the graduands, followed by the National Anthem led by Jael Panthier (Student), Opening Prayer and Blessing by Pastor Oliver Wallace, and welcome remarks by graduand, Maldini Royer.

Then it was time for the first official speech, the Principal’s address. Principal Ronald Austrie delivered a spirited report on the school’s achievements in academics, sports, visual and performing arts and entrepreneurship. In academics, he highlighted the school’s 100 percent pass rate in Agriculture, Physical Education, Electronic Document preparation Management (E.D.P.M.) and Home Management and the increased pass rate in Mathematics from 27 to 47 percent.

He also recognized the school’s 2014 top CSEC performers Devon Brewster, Kerdisha Langlais and Kenya Ettienne. In sports, he boasted of the school’s unbeaten title of ‘Best Secondary School in Sports’ on island for 7 consecutive years, notably in Basketball, Football, Athletics, Netball, and Table Tennis. He specially recognized graduand, Donisha Xavier, for capturing gold in javelin and shot put and acknowledged the efforts of the faculty and the mannerly, talented students who help make PSS the best school on island.

Austrie commended the Ministry of Education for their support and guidance and applauded the PSS Alumni for their dedicated and sterling contribution to their alma mater. His advice to the graduands was ‘take care of yourself. Take care of each other and take care of this place.’

Featured speaker, former PSS student, Doctor Diane Baron-Belfied explained the fundamentals of a successful after school life. She inspired the graduands to know their goals/dreams but to be realistic with themselves recognizing their limitations. Her watch words were, ‘be self-motivated, strive for the best. However, remain committed to achieving your best. Choose good role models and learn from their success and failure. Be responsible for your actions and their consequences.’ Doctor Baron-Belfield concluded with the words, ‘The world is yours to conquer.’

Other addresses came from Hon. Minister for Trade, Energy and Development and Parliamentary Representative for the Portsmouth Constituency, Mr. Ian Douglas and Valedictorian Yannick Burkard.

Mr. Douglas highlighted his Government’s continued support for the advancement of education on the island.

“Government has put systems in place for students to forge and achieve success,” he said.

He further explained Government’s drive to ensure that all students leave school with the necessary skills to be self-sufficient and professional.

Valeditorian Yannik Burkard nervously expressed his gratitude for the education he received during his stint at the Portsmouth Secondary School. He attributed his success to the principal and staff, his classmates, sports, and music. Sports and music he further explained helped him to be a balanced individual. His recipe for success to the graduating class was, ‘be disciplined, determined and dedicated.’

Yannick’s recommended that physical educations sessions be increased to two sessions per week instead of one. He believes that this would help students’ practical and theoretical preparation for physical education exams. This recommendation was welcomed with shouts approval. Yannick will pursue studies in his parents’ home country Switzerland where he hopes to become an Architect.

The rewards for academics, sports and other special achievements were endless. Valedictorian, Yannick Burkard copped awards for Mathematics, Information Technology, Geography, Technical Drawing, Food and Nutrition, Biology, Table Tennis (male) and the James Fabien Award. Salutatorian, Alannie Joseph took the awards for English Language, Social Studies, Chemistry and Physics while Student of theYear, Aymah George received the awards for English Literature, E.D.P.M., History, French, School Spirit and Leadership.

Sports Man of the Year, Leic Charles secured the Cricket award while Sports Woman of the Year, Alliyah Prince got the Basketball (female) and Table Tennis (female) awards.

There were other subjects, sports and special awards including Deportment, Perseverance, Most Improved and Volunteer of The Year. The Teacher of the Year Award was presented to Mrs. Lisa Mills-Thomas and the School’s Community Award to Ms. Roberline Ettienne

The intermittent rain, an unsteady podium and shrill of a vehicle alarm provided some entertainment. However, a moving ‘tribute to teachers’ in song, the Graduating Class’ theme song ‘Conqueror’ followed by the Cha Cha Slide (dance) lightened the ceremony’s atmosphere tremendously.

The Vote of Thanks delivered by Aymah George (Student of the Year/Head Girl) and Laverne Thomas (Head Boy) followed by the singing of the School Song ‘Forward On PSS’ and recessional brought the two hours and fifty minutes 33rd Graduation Ceremony to a close.