Joel Sinclair Excelling in Academics And Sports

Twelve-year-old Joel Sinclair is making waves in the swimming pool while shining in the classroom.

The top boy in the 2024 Primary Exit Profile (PEP) at Mona Preparatory School is an elite swimmer, winning several awards and trophies in local and international competitions.

Just last month, he competed at the Goodwill Swimming Championships in St. Lucia, winning three silver medals for Jamaica in the 100-metre freestyle, the 4×50 metres freestyle relay and 4×50 metres medley relay.

A model all-rounder, Joel is also a talented football player and was a key member of the Mona Prep team; he competed in the 2024 Jamaica Cultural Development Commission (JCDC) festival of the arts, as well, where he won gold and silver medals for speech and drama.

Joel credits his achievements to hard work and dedication, and the support of his family and teacher.

He is also driven by a deep-seated passion for both his academic and non-academic pursuits.

From a young age, he found joy in learning and competition, which fueled his desire to excel, pointing out that “I always find it very enjoyable when I learn something new.”

He tells JIS News that while preparing for the PEP exams, he utilised a strategic approach that entailed reviewing past papers and focusing on the areas that he felt he had not fully mastered.

He also prepared detailed notes using flashcards, a technique that aided in his retention of information.

Joel’s teacher also provided additional resources that helped him deepen his understanding of key topics, particularly in Social Studies, which was his most challenging subject.

His meticulous preparation paid off, contributing to his standout performance in PEP and placing him at his first-choice school, Wolmer’s Boys’, following in the footsteps of his father, John Matthew Sinclair.

“I feel very good to see where your hard work can put you in life,” the proud youngster tells JIS News.

Joel’s ability to balance his various commitments is a testament to his dedication and time-management skills.

His rigorous schedule often entailed early-morning training sessions and late-night studying. “I have extra lessons and then I go to football or swimming,” he shares.

Joel admits that he had to “give up a lot of my free time and watching YouTube or playing video games to focus on studying and training,” but notes that the accomplishments are worth the sacrifices.

“I really love sports, so I try my best to reach the highest level,” Joel tells JIS News.

A key element in Joel’s success is the unwavering commitment of his parents and other relatives.

His mother, Elizabeth Sinclair, tells JIS News that “Joel owes his achievements not just to his own hard work but also the support he gets from his family.”

She notes that Joel serves as a positive role model for his younger sister, Leah, who is also a promising swimmer and was a member of the national team in the Goodwill championships for girls aged eight and under.

“Joel’s little sister is now the youngest female member of the national team. This is her first time making a national team, and it is wonderful to see her follow in Joel’s footsteps,” the doting mother says.

She emphasises the importance of extracurricular act

ivities in improving academic performance, shaping a student’s character and contributing to their overall development.

“Sports have taught Joel valuable life skills, such as time management and perseverance,” she points out.

Meanwhile, Joel is focused on continuing his excellence in both sports and academics.

The youngster has ambitions of competing in the Olympics, breaking world records in the pool, and serving as a top-flight Attorney.

His advice to other youngsters is “Prioritise your goals, manage your time effectively, and be prepared to make sacrifices to achieve success.”