Outstanding PEP Student from St. Ann’s Bay Primary on Her Way to St. Hilda’s High

In a remarkable display of resilience and determination, 11-year-old Tessannie Miller, a former student at St. Ann’s Bay Primary School, in St. Ann, overcame challenges to achieve outstanding results in her 2023 Primary Exit Profile (PEP) exams.

Tessannie, who hails from the rural community of Chester District in the parish, attained a placement score of 300.9 in her PEP exams, which earned her a spot at St. Hilda’s High.

The PEP examination is used to assess students in four subjects – Language Arts, Social Studies, Science and Mathematics. Students also sit an Ability Test in which Tessannie was deemed proficient in all areas.

Born into a financially challenged family, she faced numerous hurdles, including absenteeism, that threatened to impede her educational aspirations.

However, Tessannie’s potential was recognised by teachers and a financial support programme was devised by the school administration to help finance her education.

This programme not only provided the necessary resources, including a laptop, textbooks, and school supplies for her education, but also instilled a sense of confidence and reassurance in her academic journey.

Under the guidance of her grade-six teacher, Paul Campbell, Tessannie grew academically, displaying tremendous focus and dedication, putting in countless hours of study and revision to prepare for her PEP exams.

As she reflects on her academic journey, she beams with pride.

Tessannie says that based on her background, she knew from an early age that education held the key to a brighter future.

She explains that her success story began long before her outstanding PEP exam results were revealed.

From the moment she set foot in St. Ann’s Bay Primary, she displayed solid enthusiasm and had a thirst for knowledge.

“I feel very proud of myself because I have been working hard since I came to this institution. I studied night and day, I prayed to God that I would reach my goal and I finally did, so I feel very grateful,” Tessannie tells JIS News.

She says that with constant motivation from her mother and her school Principal, Trevor Cole, she was able to overcome the challenges.

“Some of the times I would feel very discouraged in myself that I couldn’t… and some of the times I would cry or pray, but it turned out I could succeed if I just believed in myself,” she shares.

“Mr. Cole and others gave me a lot of motivation for me to reach my goal. They encouraged me to do great in my schoolwork and to set my mind on any goal that I wanted to achieve and work towards it,” she adds.

Despite her challenges, Tessannie was consistently on the school’s honour roll, and also served as a Principal’s Ambassador throughout grade six.

She explains that she will strive to maintain excellence in her studies at St. Hilda’s High.

“I am going to study a lot because I know that I should. So, I intend to study hard so I can pass all my exams,” she says.

Tessannie aspires to become a lawyer and wants children who may face similar obstacles to believe in themselves.

“I’d want these children to also motivate themselves or get someone else to motivate them, but most importantly believe in themselves and they will reach anywhere they want to,” she says.

Meanwhile, Mr. Cole, who Tessannie credits as her strongest supporter, says her outstanding performance not only reflects her individual triumph but also serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration for other students facing similar challenges.

“This is a student who I believe can be an example for other students and other families. To know that if you are undergoing challenges, it doesn’t mean you should throw your hands up but try to seek support, to show that the school will partner with [you] to ensure that your child achieves his or her goal,” he encourages.

A proud Mr. Cole describes Tessannie as very respectful, intelligent, and tenacious.

“She is a model student, but her family had financial difficulties and we thought it would have been prudent for us to support her as best as possible. So, we developed a programme, got some support for her, and her teacher Mr. Campbell has been working with her along with the guidance counsellor and we are very proud that she has been placed at St. Hilda’s and she has done remarkably well,” he says.

The principal adds that Tessannie is proof that when “we invest in our children’s potential and foster an environment that nurtures their dreams” no obstacle is insurmountable.

“So, we are very proud of her given the challenges she experienced earlier in the year and how she was able to triumph,” he tells JIS News.