Louis Lynch student Janeale Mitchell (right), who passed nine CXC subjects and was voted best academic performer, receiving her award from former student Maria Bradshaw, Associate Editor at the Nation Publishing Company Limited.

by TREVOR YEARWOOD

Despite the controversy swirling around it, Louis Lynch Secondary School managed to register outstanding achievements in the 2004-2005 Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) tests, with an overall 77 per cent pass rate and a perfect record in English A.

At least 75 of the 115 fifth form students taking exams passed five or more subjects, with some even picking up seven, eight or nine certificates, in results that improved on the school's performance in the two previous years.

Headmaster Alvin Carter announced the results during an awards ceremony Sunday evening at Almond Bay Hotel in Hastings, Christ Church, attended by close to 300 current and past students, educators, parents and guardians.

Educator and former diplomat Freida Nicholls, who delivered the keynote address, described the results as reflecting the outstanding nature of an institution that in 25 years had accomplished "what has taken some schools over 100 years and in some cases 200 years to achieve".

The CXC results were some of the best news for a school plagued for months by charges that both teachers and students were falling ill because of its environment; absenteeism of teachers; and a dispute between the Ministry of Education and teachers who were pressing for relocation of classes from what their union called "a sick building".

Twenty-five students passed five subjects, while 23 graduated with six certificates, 11 had seven certificates and 14 finished with eight subject passes.

The top students were Nakita Wilfred and Janeale Mitchell, who both passed nine subjects. Mitchell, a 17-year-old Grenadian, switched to Louis Lynch in September 2004 after St Joseph's Convent in St George's was damaged by Hurricane Ivan.

Carter also reported improvement in 16 subject areas, while students held steady in five and declined in four.

"Of the 25 subjects written at the General Proficiency Level, a pass rate of 70 per cent or higher was achieved in 15 subject areas," he disclosed.

These included principles of business, integrated science and English A (English Language), where 100 per cent passes were recorded.

Twenty-seven fourth year students also passed CXC General Proficiency exams.

Ten students passed the music exams offered by the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music, four with distinctions.

Nicholls noted that in 2003 the CXC results "placed Louis Lynch Secondary School fourth in the country, following Harrison College, Queen's College and Combermere".

trevoryearwood@nationnews.com