Principal’s Honours Students At CedarBridge

Leading the Bermuda Youth Orchestra, completing and Passing Chemistry A in one year and competing in the CARIFTA Games are some of the proud accomplishments of the winners of the Principal’s Honours at CedarBridge Academy.

In order to achieve the distinction of Principal’s Honours, students much achieve an overall average grade of 90% and above. Three S4 students, Catrina Fubler and Taahira Butterfield, and S2 student Taiyana Allen, attended the Principal Honours’ Luncheon sponsored by Karib Krave, to recognize and applaud their achievements. Unable to attend was S3 student Nambi Landy, who was on study leave.

Principal Kalmar Richards greeted the students and thanked them for their hard work. Mrs. Richards thanked the students for the extra effort they put forth in order to attain Principal’s Honours.

She compared them to that extra degree that is the difference between hot water and boiling water, quoting from Sam Parker’s book 212 the Extra Degree “At 211° water is hot. At 212°, it boils. And with boiling water, comes steam. And with steam, you can power a train. The one extra degree makes the difference. That extra degree will produce extraordinary results.”

She said, “That is the difference between hot water which does little and the ability to create steam which moves a steamboat. You have moved steam boats.”

“Taiyana, Niambi, Catrina and Taahira your efforts have made a difference in your results! You have all demonstrated 212 degree attitudes, 212 degree focus, 212 degree perseverance and you 212 degree results to prove it as Principal’s Honours students,” Mrs. Richards said, “Your parents, teachers, year level team members and I want you to know that we are so proud of each of you for attaining Principal’s Honours. Well done!”

During the luncheon, students were asked to state what was meaningful for them during this school year and to explain why. Catrina Fubler said that her role in music, leader of the Bermuda Youth Orchestra had a great impact on her.

“It helped me to become an good leader and I can help students,” she said. This is my first time on the Principals list and I have been working hard to achieve this goal. I am proud of myself.”

Taiyana Allen, the S2 student explained that her ability to pass her Chemistry A class, a course that was new to her, in one year. “It was a challenging course, that required a lot of studying and I am pleased with my result.”

S4 Student Taahira Butterfield, who has been a Principal Honour student since she was an S1 student said that her proudest moment was coming fifth in the Carifta Finals in 2012 when the games were held in Bermuda.

“This was important because I was able to perform in front of home country and I represented them well,” she said.

All three students had similar advice to give teachers in their efforts to help high flying students. Much of which included making classes more interactive and hands on and for teachers to become more entertaining which can increase attentiveness and alleviate boredom.

“More group work to help one another so we can write notes together so we all have something common to study would be helpful also,” said Taahira.

“Often high achievers are made to feel nerdy or stand out because others can’t achieve what they have and they [the high achievers] become depressed and feel that they should be like everyone else and lower their standards so they can be like others,” said Catherine Fubler, who has sent all her children to CedarBridge Academy.

“Teachers should stand up and say, “listen everyone, this is what you should all attain’.” She further indicated that students who work hard, should not be made to feel as if their efforts are abnormal, and that teachers and parents need to work to create students who want to strive.

Comparing CedarBridge Academy to the primary school her students attended, CBA expects students to an average of have 90% and above without failure and the primary school expected 90% in every subject. “The foundation for honours should be there across the board on the entire island,” Fubler said.

One of the parents, Terri-Lynn Allen suggested a homogeneous classroom in which the High flyers and students boarding the 90% level take classes together, which may eliminate the lowering of standards to fit in.

Devina Butterfield who is a parent and a staff member at CedarBridge Academy said, “Teachers and students need to be on the same page in terms of teaching and learning. Teachers can work toward stretching students, especially those who finish early, if they are creating an issue in the class for they may be an unchallenged high flyer.”

“Remember,” Mrs. Richards said, “that one extra degree makes a difference! It separates the honours from the principal’s honours and the good from the great! It separates the successful from the somewhat successful.”

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