Family Support Contributes To Maths Genius Success

While a significant number of Jamaican youths are deprived of the benefits of a sound family structure, 12-year-old Richard Rose enjoys both the family support and the academic success that it can produce.
The first of three children, all boys, Richard’s success in the Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT) has been attributed to his keen and inquiring mind and general aptitude for learning, as well as the support of his parents, Nicole Mullings and David Owens.
He lives with two younger siblings – nine-year-old Derval and four-year-old Danzil – in Waterford, St. Catherine.
Richard was among the students who excelled in this year’s GSAT. He emerged the top overall student from his school, Portsmouth Primary School, St. Catherine, who sat the exam.
By virtue of his outstanding results, particularly in Mathematics in which he scored 100 percent, Richard was awarded a scholarship by Kraft Foods, as the top male student for the county of Middlesex. He was among six students – three males and three females – selected from some 500 who performed outstandingly and were identified for consideration for scholarships. He is currently in his first year at prestigious Campion College in Kingston.
That he excelled at mathematics is no surprise, as it is his favourite. He also likes science and social studies.
A consistently high performer at Portsmouth Primary, Richard was duly rewarded for his hard work.

Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT) scholar, Richard Rose (left), and mother, Nicole Mullings, show off the youngster’s academic awards from Portsmouth Primary School.

“I got three trophies – one for math, one for science and one for the (overall) top boy. I got three certificates for math…one in Grade 2, one in Grade 3 and one in Grade 4. The trophies I got were (for performances) in Grade 6, for GSAT,” he informs JIS News.
Richard sat the exam for the first time this year. He says that he was greatly assisted his family and his teachers.
His mother ensures that he retires to bed by 9 p.m. nightly and that he constantly studies. He also credits Grade 6 teacher, Ryan Small, for his preparations.
“I had to go to Saturday classes for extra lessons. I did a lot of work during class time and we got early work (ahead of classes) sometimes,” he outlines, noting that there was not much time for play.
Richard also initiated some of his preparations, using study cards, past papers and simply ensuring that he remembers what the teachers teach him.
He says he felt “kind of anxious” prior to the start of the exams. However, this was allayed with the help of his family and teachers.
“My mom and my teachers told me that I should just do my best,” he points out.

Grade Six Achievement Test (GSAT) scholar, Richard Rose (second right) and with family members, from left, brothers – Danzil (stooping), Derval (standing), mother- Nicole Mullings, and father David Owens viewing the youngster’s academic awards received from Portsmouth Primary School, St. Catherine.

Richard says Campion College was his first choice. He expressed satisfaction with his academic successes and is brimming with confidence regarding his future at high school.
“My expectation is to get a lot of hundreds,” he says.
But, despite his academic prowess, Richard has not lost his enthusiasm for extra-curricular activities, like playing football and video games.
“I would like to get involved in swimming and football,” he discloses.
Richard worships alternately at Central Village Seventh Day Adventist Church and Power of Faith Ministries, St. Catherine.
For the students who were unsuccessful in the 2009 GSAT, he offers words of advice and encouragement:”Just work hard (next time) and you will achieve,” he says, while imploring their parents to encourage them to do well.
His mother, Nicole Mullings, who operates a beauty supply business, beams with pride. She says Richard displays maturity beyond his 12 years, particularly regarding the welfare of his younger brothers, the home and her shop.
“If I’m not at home to (attend) to my business, he takes care until I come home. When his brother needs any assistance, he will help. He is not a child that gives a lot of trouble …he is honest, humble and always (trying to be) good,” Nicole proudly tells JIS News.
She says that preparing him for GSAT from Grade 2 was relatively easy.
“I didn’t have much to do, because he can help himself. He was always getting certificates for things. He is a very talented little boy,” she beamed.
Nicole also voiced her expectations of him in high school.
“I expect him to keep his grades (up), work harder and keep up his good behaviour. Also, I’m looking forward to him leaving school with a lot of subjects, moving on to university and…(for) him…to become a paediatrician, because that’s what he always wanted to be,”
“Richard has set an example for his brothers to follow. They keep saying that they want to be like (him)…they want to get trophies and certificates…and I am encouraging them to follow in his footsteps,” she adds.
The love between mother and son is very evident. Richard says she is his main role model.
Nicole thinks GSAT is a “good method” for placement of children in high schools, pointing out that it is more advanced than the former Common Entrance examination.
“When I was at the primary level and did the Common Entrance, not many children did as well as they are doing now in the GSAT. Things are more advanced now…it’s a good method,” she contends.
While proud of the academic exploits of Richard, she recognizes the youngsters who were not successful and offers words of advice to them.
“The parents should not give up on them. (The children should) work harder, (and the parents should) encourage them.tell them ‘it’s not the end of the world’, that they can do better. And (to) the children, (they need) to step up (and) work harder, (with their) parents (there) to help them every step of the way. Do what is best for them,” Nicole urges.
While not Richard’s biological father, David Owens openly and readily embraces him and treats him like his own children, Derval and Danzil.
“He knows nobody else (as a father) but me. I have known and had Richard from birth…I help to grow him,” David discloses, pointing out that Richard accepts him as his father, unconditionally.
Describing Richard as bright and polite, but “a bit shy”, David intimates that his input is ensuring that he gets all the support he needs from a disciplined and harmonious family environment.
“I’m a balanced father…I’m not too hard on them, but not too soft. (This is) in order to make sure that all the boys do what they are supposed to do,” he explainsDavid also concurs that Richard’s preparations for the GSAT was not very challenging, given his aptitude for academics.
“I noticed that he had great interest in school. So all I needed to do was keep him focused and direct the self-interest which he (Richard) had,” tells JIS News.
Like any other proud parent, David has great expectations of Richard, based on his exceptional ability.
“It’s supposed to be greater things, because he is a quick learner. Richard (was able) to read from Grade 1,…he is a bright and brilliant boy,’ he boasts, adding that the youngster is “destined for great things.”
Pointing out that he devotes equal time to all three sons, David says he is desirous of seeing all of them succeeding in school and in life, adding that he too supports Richard’s aspirations of becoming a paediatrician.
“No parent should call their child “dunce”…that’s a form of discouragement for them. It’s better to say, ‘you’re a bright boy or girl, but you just need to apply (yourself) some more.’ As a parent, you need to put more interest (in their welfare) and find out the weak areas (they have),” he argues.