Combermere School is sharpening its focus on character development, accessibility, and large-scale infrastructure upgrades as it works to sustain its academic and sporting excellence while modernising its campus.
These priorities were outlined during the school’s Speech Day and Prize-giving Ceremony on Friday, where students were celebrated for standout performances. Top CSEC performer Seleena Padmore earned seven Grade Ones, while Yusuf Abovat took the top CAPE award.
This year, the school achieved a 75 per cent overall pass rate. Twelve per cent of all grades were Grade Ones, 31 per cent were Grade Twos and a further 31 per cent were Grade Threes. Twelve subjects recorded pass rates above 80 per cent.
At CAPE, Combermere maintained an overall pass rate of 94 per cent — identical to the previous academic year.
President the Most Honourable Jeffrey Bostic and Finance Minister Ryan Straughn were among the Combermere alumni present at Friday’s Speech Day.
However, administrators emphasised that strong academic outcomes must be supported by improved learning environments. The institution is, therefore, pressing ahead with upgrading its teaching spaces to meet modern needs, including major changes to the school’s library.
Chairman of the Board, Captain Reverend Al Walcott, said a donation from an old scholar funded the installation of 20 new computers in the library. He added that the mathematics and art rooms are being rebuilt and will be renamed in honour of former faculty member Carl Bruhagan.
“We’ve completed upgrades to the industrial arts room, which is still in progress, adding an additional floor for more classroom space,” he said.
To reduce the impact of water outages in the surrounding area, the school is installing extra water tanks and pumps. Security surveillance cameras are also being added to strengthen safety on the compound.
The board chairman said accessibility is another priority, with improvements already visible.
“You will see in the middle of this hall, we have placed a ramp for the physically challenged. Prior to a couple months ago, if you were physically challenged, you struggled coming down the steps, which were all in the hall,” Reverend Walcott noted. The board is also exploring solutions to provide access to upper floors for students using wheelchairs.
“If you enter as a student and you’re physically challenged, wheelchair or whatever, we’re looking to find a way that we can have you from when you enter our first form and you go to the upper grades, that you’ll be able to access the entire campus.”
Old Combermerian and Minister of Finance Ryan Straughn, who attended the ceremony, committed to funding the accessibility upgrades once project estimates are submitted.
Efforts to strengthen student behaviour are also being ramped up, with the school placing greater emphasis on parent–student–teacher partnerships.
“Positive communication, appropriate discipline, emotional support and active involvement of all students will help them develop strong behavioural habits. I believe this will reduce suspensions and encourage more responsible, respectful and disciplined behaviour, embodying the humanitate of our school,” Reverend Walcott said.
He stressed that parents must address misconduct early if students are to excel socially and academically, and he identified religion as the institution’s third pillar in shaping their character.
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