Eleven-year-old Kierna Edwards has emerged as the top-performing student at the private Warrens Primary School in this year’s Barbados Secondary Schools’ Entrance Examination, securing her first-choice placement at St Michael School after months of determined preparation and personal sacrifice.
Preparing for the examination was challenging, she told Barbados TODAY, but said the hard work paid off.
“It was a little stressing, but I still got through it.”
Edwards received extra tutoring help from a private teacher Mrs. Husbands, who focused on strengthening the areas she found most difficult, she said.
“She would teach me comprehension because I wasn’t too good at it, and a little bit of some math because I was improving quite well.”
Preparing for the examination also meant putting some of her favourite activities on hold.
“I had to leave karate club and K-Kids club. It made me feel a little sad because it was taking me away from what I enjoyed, but I knew it was worth the studying because at the end of the day, I wanted to get to the school of my choice, which is St Michael’s.”
That goal has now become a reality and she completed the registration into the school on Friday.
Although excited about starting secondary school, Kierna said leaving Warrens Primary will not be easy.
“It makes me feel a little sad because I had a lot of memories from that school and I’ll miss a lot of people, but I still have to accept that I am going on to a different level, and plus I can still visit them.”
Looking ahead, she hopes to become involved in school life by joining activities such as cheerleading and karate.
Her father, Raj Edwards, said that investing in his daughter’s education was always a priority and credited one-on-one lessons with helping her sharpen her skills.
“I actually got her enrolled in private lessons… just to address the areas she was having issues in… in both math and English.”
He praised tutor Mrs Husbands for making “a great positive impact” on Kierna’s progress and said he always believed his daughter would achieve her goal.
“I expected it, to be honest… she did a bit better than I expected, but I always had full belief in her.”
Recalling the conversation before registration, he said there was never any doubt about which secondary school she wanted to attend.
“When I asked her where she wanted to go, she said St Michael’s School. I said, ‘I will not put anything else on the paper because that’s where you’re going. Put all your energy, all your thoughts, everything into going there, and it’s gonna manifest for you.’”
Raj is encouraging other parents to play an active role in their children’s education.
“Honestly, just invest in your children. It’s time consuming, it’ll cost money, but invest in them. There’s only one chance they have to get set on the path. Spend time, put in the work. And if it’s difficult for you to put in the work, then take them to lessons… but the work has to get put in.”
The family is now celebrating Kierna’s achievement with a staycation, trip to the movies, a beach house outing as well as several gifts.
“I told her I believe in you fully… Anything she wants, she’s gonna get.” (LE)
