Positive activity in the Island’s public school system will no longer be one of the “best kept secrets in Bermuda”, Education Minister Dame Jennifer Smith has pledged.

She highlighted the achievements of CedarBridge Academy students to members of the House of Assembly yesterday.

Dame Jennifer drew particular attention to several students who attained a grade point average (GPA) of 3.6 or higher.

“I attended the CedarBridge prizegiving ceremony on Tuesday evening and I can tell you that it was a celebration of excellence.

“From the stimulating words of new chairman Larry Mussenden, the sweet sounds of the string ensemble, the words of the students who participated and the inspiring speech given by alumnus Antonia Mills, it was a memorable evening,” she said.

The Education Minister praised CedarBridge S1 students Chrisante’ Bean and Daniel Walker who achieved GPAs of 3.8 and 3.6 respectively.

She also highlighted S2 students Ashley Johnson and Leanna Hall they earned GPAs of 3.83 and 3.79 respectively.

Dame Jennifer also applauded head boy Andrew Fleming who had five GCSEs and a GPA of 3.98. Andrew was also the recipient of the Principal’s Cup, awarded to a student who best exemplifies the qualities of CedarBridge Academy principal Kalmar Richards.

Ivan Sanchez was also singled out. He graduated from CedarBridge in June and is pursuing an economics degree at McGill University in Canada.

Not only was Ivan an Advanced Placement Scholar who achieved a score of four on a five-point scale in three subjects, he also earned nine GCSE passes.

And Dame Jennifer also praised Israel Sanchez who earned a perfect score on the Math College Placement Test.

The Education Minister said: “Positive activity in our schools will no longer be one of the best kept secrets in Bermuda. I will do my best to put them in the spotlight whenever I am provided with an opportunity.”

Two weeks ago Dame Jennifer attended the Berkeley Institutes’ prizegiving ceremony and informed the House of GCSE achievements there.

Yesterday she drew her attention to CedarBridge Academy and reported that twenty-seven students sat the GCSE math exam with 26 passing 15 with a grade of A or B.

Seventeen CedarBridge students sat the GCSE Spanish exam, with 16 passing. Six received an A, B or C grade.

Ten pupils sat the City & Guilds International Certification for hairdressing, all passed nine of them with distinction.

Twenty students sat the Advanced Placement English Exam. Four earned a score of three on a five-point scale. The exam gives college credit.

Dame Jennifer said: “There is absolutely no need to sell Bermuda’s children short or to lower our expectations. They can, and do, hold their own against international competition in many spheres.

“As it stands, there are pockets of excellence throughout the education system. I intend to find them, celebrate them and then work to ensure that those pockets grow larger and larger.”

CedarBridge Academy deputy principle Rosemary Matthews said: “I think [the award ceremony] went extremely well. Students executed themselves well; they managed the programme in terms of delivering the speeches, running the programme protocol and welcoming the guest speakers.

“We received some positive accolades from members of the public, personnel, ministers and others who were at the reception.”

The Education Minister also commended the “excellent work” being done at Dellwood Middle School. She had the chance to attend a special assembly paying thanks to those involved in the annual M1 camping retreat on Paget Island.

The retreat gives young people a chance to engage in team-building exercises and exposes them to informal education in an outdoor setting.

Dame Jennifer said: “This is an example of a school finding an innovative way to reach the children. This type of activity helps to address our social ills while also improving student learning.”