Minister Highlights Senior School Graduations

July 6, 2018

Minister of Education and Workforce Development Diallo Rabain acknowledged Bermuda’s senior school graduates in the House of Assembly today [July 6], highlighting the ceremonies at the Berkeley Institute and CedarBridge Academy.

Minister Rabain said, “Last week I had the pleasure of attending the graduation ceremonies for the Berkeley Institute and CedarBridge Academy. During each ceremony, I heard about the outstanding achievements of students in the graduating Class of 2018.

“As Minister for Education and Workforce Development, I remain committed to the vision for the Bermuda Public School System; that is, to see that all students are educated to lead personally and professionally, compete locally and contribute globally.

“Also, that they “matriculate with the knowledge and skills to navigate adulthood, build satisfying careers, give back to their community, and provide for themselves both in Bermuda’s economy and globally.”

“These are the aspirations that we have for our children as outlined in Plan 2022, Bermuda’s strategic plan for education. Mr. Speaker, as we implement Plan 2022 over the next few years, we will transform our education system and we will increase individual pathways to success for our students. Mr. Speaker, we have already begun to see the evidence of this from the graduating Class of 2018.

“Ms. Lillian Lightbourn, a top international model featured in numerous international magazines and a Berkeley Institute Alumnus was the guest speaker for the Berkeley Institute’s graduation held on June 28th, 2018. In keeping with the theme, Respice Finem- Keep the End in View, Ms. Lightbourn’s overarching message to the Class of 2018 challenged graduates to be courageous while pursuing their dreams and to push through obstacles and their fears until success happens.”

The Berkeley Institute Graduation Ceremony

“The Berkeley Institute had a total of 131 graduates earning the Bermuda School Diploma, 128 students earning the Berkeley Institute Certificate and 23 students earning Berkeley’s advance honours recognition. Thirteen students will either complete summer school or return to school in September to improve their GPAs in order to earn the Bermuda School Diploma.

“Five of the Berkeley Institute graduates earned their Associates Degrees from the Bermuda College on May 17th and on the same day, six male Berkeley Institute students graduated from the Bermuda College with Applied Technology Certificates. An additional seven female students will earn the Bermuda College Nursing Assistants Certificate once they complete their clinical examinations.

“Three Berkeley students were awarded Rotary Exchange placements in different parts of Brazil out of a possible four spots that are available to local students. One student earned a full university scholarship; one student earned a $30,000 local scholarship; one male student completed the Penn Foster High School Diploma ahead of schedule; and one female student graduated with the Bermuda School Diploma [BSD] in three years instead of four. That student, in addition to another female student, has secured a United World College scholarship, with one heading to Hong Kong and the other to Armenia. Further more, two students will be travelling with Up with People.

“The graduation rate for the Berkeley Institute is 91%. The graduation rate for the females is 97% and the graduation rate for the males is 85%.”

“I will now move on to share the achievements of CedarBridge Academy’s graduating Class of 2018. “The theme for the Class of 2018 was “Be Boldly Ambitious.” The guest speaker for the ceremony, the Acting Commissioner of Education, Mrs. Kalmar Richards outlined the attributes and actions of those who are committed to being boldly ambitions, and she challenged students to emulate those attributes in the future.”

CedarBridge Academy Graduation Ceremony

“As I listened to the list of achievements of the CedarBridge Academy students, there was no doubt that they had been boldly ambitious. Students earned a combined total of local and overseas scholarships and awards of roughly four hundred and eighty-two thousand dollars [$482,000]. In this group were two males who earned scholarships valued at $15,000 and $25,000 respectively, and two females who earned full scholarships to overseas colleges.

“Further, I noted that three graduates will be attending the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City. They are founding members of the CedarBridge Academy Noire Theatre who have acquired the world renowned Meisner Techniques and who sit on its student run board.”

“CedarBridge Academy had 108 graduates meeting graduation requirements and twenty students who will have to attend summer school or return to CedarBridge Academy to raise their GPA or earn additional credits to meet the graduation requirements.

“The graduation rate for CedarBridge Academy is 84%. The graduation rate for the females is 88% and the graduation rate for the males is 80%.”

The Minister’s full statement follows below:

Mr. Speaker:

Last week I had the pleasure of attending the graduation ceremonies for the Berkeley Institute and CedarBridge Academy. During each ceremony, I heard about the outstanding achievements of students in the graduating Class of 2018.

Mr. Speaker,

I will share some of their achievements with my Honorable colleagues and the community today. However, before I do, I take this opportunity to thank the school Boards, principals, teachers, support staff, parents, guardians, students and volunteers for their commitment, support and efforts during the 2017- 2018 academic year.

Mr. Speaker,

As Minister for Education and Workforce Development, I remain committed to the vision for the Bermuda Public School System; that is, to see that all students are educated to lead personally and professionally, compete locally and contribute globally. Further, Mr. Speaker, the Government and I will continue to work with educators and the community to ensure that Bermuda’s graduates are “well-prepared socially, emotionally, and academically for postsecondary success.” Also, that they “matriculate with the knowledge and skills to navigate adulthood, build satisfying careers, give back to their community, and provide for themselves both in Bermuda’s economy and globally.”

Mr. Speaker,

These are the aspirations that we have for our children as outlined in Plan 2022, Bermuda’s strategic plan for education. Mr. Speaker, as we implement Plan 2022 over the next few years, we will transform our education system and we will increase individual pathways to success for our students. Mr. Speaker, we have already begun to see the evidence of this from the graduating Class of 2018.

Mr. Speaker,

Ms. Lillian Lightbourn, a top international model featured in numerous international magazines and a Berkeley Institute Alumnus was the guest speaker for the Berkeley Institute’s graduation held on June 28th, 2018. In keeping with the theme, Respice Finem- Keep the End in View, Ms. Lightbourn’s overarching message to the Class of 2018 challenged graduates to be courageous while pursuing their dreams and to push through obstacles and their fears until success happens.

Mr. Speaker,

The Berkeley Institute had a total of 131 graduates earning the Bermuda School Diploma, 128 students earning the Berkeley Institute Certificate and 23 students earning Berkeley’s advance honours recognition. Thirteen students will either complete summer school or return to school in September to improve their GPAs in order to earn the Bermuda School Diploma.

Mr. Speaker,

Five of the Berkeley Institute graduates earned their Associates Degrees from the Bermuda College on May 17th and on the same day, six male Berkeley Institute students graduated from the Bermuda College with Applied Technology Certificates. An additional seven female students will earn the Bermuda College Nursing Assistants Certificate once they complete their clinical examinations.

Mr. Speaker,

Three Berkeley students were awarded Rotary Exchange placements in different parts of Brazil out of a possible four spots that are available to local students. One student earned a full university scholarship; one student earned a $30,000 local scholarship; one male student completed the Penn Foster High School Diploma ahead of schedule; and one female student graduated with the Bermuda School Diploma [BSD] in three years instead of four. That student, in addition to another female student, has secured a United World College scholarship, with one heading to Hong Kong and the other to Armenia. Further more, two students will be travelling with Up with People.

Mr. Speaker,

The graduation rate for the Berkeley Institute is 91%. The graduation rate for the females is 97% and the graduation rate for the males is 85%.

Mr. Speaker,

We applaud the Berkeley Institute graduating Class of 2018 for their achievements and for earning a total of over four hundred and eighty-eight thousand dollars [$488,000] in scholarships and awards.

Mr. Speaker,

I will now move on to share the achievements of CedarBridge Academy’s graduating Class of 2018.

Mr. Speaker,

The theme for the Class of 2018 was “Be Boldly Ambitious.” The guest speaker for the ceremony, the Acting Commissioner of Education, Mrs. Kalmar Richards outlined the attributes and actions of those who are committed to being boldly ambitions, and she challenged students to emulate those attributes in the future.

Mr. Speaker,

As I listened to the list of achievements of the CedarBridge Academy students, there was no doubt that they had been boldly ambitious. Students earned a combined total of local and overseas scholarships and awards of roughly four hundred and eighty-two thousand dollars [$482,000]. In this group were two males who earned scholarships valued at $15,000 and $25,000 respectively, and two females who earned full scholarships to overseas colleges. Further, I noted that three graduates will be attending the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City. They are founding members of the CedarBridge Academy Noire Theatre who have acquired the world renowned Meisner Techniques and who sit on its student run board.

Mr. Speaker,

One CedarBridge Academy female student earned an Associate’s Degree from the Bermuda College on May 17th and on the same day nine male students earned Certificates in Applied Technology, some with merit and distinction. Additionally, eight students, two males and six females, are on track to earn the Bermuda College Nursing certificate once they complete their clinical examinations. Further, four male students earned for the first time in the Bermuda Public School System, the Penn Foster High School Diploma and one student earned the Bermuda School Diploma in three years instead of four. Mr. Speaker, as a result of a partnership that CedarBridge Academy has developed with persons in Costa Rica, one female student will spend a gap year in Costa Rica.

Mr. Speaker,

CedarBridge Academy had 108 graduates meeting graduation requirements and twenty students who will have to attend summer school or return to CedarBridge Academy to raise their GPA or earn additional credits to meet the graduation requirements.

Mr. Speaker,

The graduation rate for CedarBridge Academy is 84%. The graduation rate for the females is 88% and the graduation rate for the males is 80%.

Mr. Speaker,

We commend the CedarBridge Academy graduating Class of 2018 for their achievements and awards during the 2017-2018 school year.

Mr. Speaker,

I am very much encouraged by the accomplishments and successes our public school senior students have experienced. I extend a sincere thank you to all the teaching staff, support and administrative staff at our two public senior schools under the able leadership Ms. Keisha Douglas at the Berkeley Institute and Mr. Kenneth Caesar at CedarBridge Academy.

Mr. Speaker,

The Government and I will continue to work to create opportunities for students in the Bermuda Public school system to thrive, achieve and succeed.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker!

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Comments (5)

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  1. Slipnut says:

    Can we concentrate on building a better education system? Improving the morale and standards of the Teaching profession. Always trying to raise the bar of excellence. Ensuring the goals set buy the Education Ministry have the full support both financial and physically. Fluff stories can be found at the bottom of all pockets. Even a broken watch tells the right time once a day.

  2. Question says:

    It all sounds such a success. Everything in education has suddenly been fixed. Everyone ‘graduates’, apparently.

  3. Really says:

    It’s July, schools are out. I have heard 0 plans for the future schooling of 2019. A lot of the social issues represented in Bermuda are due to lack of a positive education. There are many good educators, but not enough to fulfill the requirements needed. Years ago I heard of s Plan to privatize all schools with burseries given to each child, if you chose to send your child to another parish there would be a minimal extra fee. It means parents are more accountable for THEIR children. In a private school teachers are let go and kids are expelled, and parents are responsible. Possibly IMO we should be putting more effort into this rather than spending time energy and MONEY on SSM. Seems like a no brainer to me.

  4. Ramon C says:

    Three ignorant comments. How about you volunteering in the public schools then? Go and offer to mentor young males or females,. If you are an employer, offer internships to young people instead of sitting back and criticizing the successes that the public schools have when they are mandated to educate all students and not allowed to selectively chooses who will attend.

  5. Ramon C says:

    Three ignorant comments. How about you volunteer in the public schools? Go and offer to mentor young males or females,. If you are an employer, offer internships to young people instead of sitting back and criticizing the successes that the public schools have when they are mandated to educate all students and not allowed to selectively choose who will attend.