Minister On 2019 Senior School Graduations

The Berkeley Institute and CedarBridge Academy graduates “have made their parents, the senior schools and all of us proud,” Minister of Education Diallo Rabain said in the House of Assembly.

The Minister said, “I had the distinct pleasure of attending the graduation ceremonies for the Berkeley Institute and CedarBridge Academy on June 27th and 28th, respectively.

“As I sat and listened intently to the myriad of outstanding achievements of these amazing groups of students in the graduating Class of 2019, I felt a deep sense of pride about our graduates and about what can be accomplished by students in the Bermuda Public School System.

“I will share some of the graduates’ outstanding achievements with my Honorable colleagues and the wider community today; however, first, I take this opportunity to extend my profound gratitude to the Ministry and Department of Education staff; school boards; principals; teachers; support staff; parents and guardians; students; volunteers; and community partners for their steadfast commitment, unwavering support and persistent efforts during the 2018- 2019 academic year.

The 3 hour live video replay of the Berkeley Institute Graduation:

“As Minister of Education, I am committed to the vision for the Bermuda Public School System; which is to see all students educated to lead personally and professionally; to compete locally, and contribute globally.

“Further, Mr. Speaker, the Government and I pledge to continue to work in the best interests of Bermuda’s children; to support educators and parents; and, to work with the community to ensure that Bermuda’s senior school graduates are “well-prepared” to transition to postsecondary school educational programmes, and the workforce.

The 3-hour live video replay of the CedarBridge Academy Graduation:

“Plan 2022, Bermuda’s five-year strategic plan for public school education, defines the trajectory for the changes that we will make in public education. These changes will enable us to build on our strengths as we execute strategies for the transformation of our public school system.

“This Government is committed to Plan 2022; committed to improving the quality of education; committed to improving the quality of teaching and learning experiences for our children; and committed to ensuring an improvement in the outcomes for the Public School System. This is evident Mr. Speaker, by the encouraging achievements of our graduates shared at the two senior school graduation ceremonies.”

The Minister’s full statement follows below:

Mr. Speaker,

I had the distinct pleasure of attending the graduation ceremonies for the Berkeley Institute and CedarBridge Academy on June 27th and 28th, respectively. As I sat and listened intently to the myriad of outstanding achievements of these amazing groups of students in the graduating Class of 2019, I felt a deep sense of pride about our graduates and about what can be accomplished by students in the Bermuda Public School System.

Mr. Speaker,

I will share some of the graduates’ outstanding achievements with my Honorable colleagues and the wider community today; however, first, I take this opportunity to extend my profound gratitude to the Ministry and Department of Education staff; school boards; principals; teachers; support staff; parents and guardians; students; volunteers; and community partners for their steadfast commitment, unwavering support and persistent efforts during the 2018- 2019 academic year.

Mr. Speaker,

As Minister of Education, I am committed to the vision for the Bermuda Public School System; which is to see all students educated to lead personally and professionally; to compete locally, and contribute globally. Further, Mr. Speaker, the Government and I pledge to continue to work in the best interests of Bermuda’s children; to support educators and parents; and, to work with the community to ensure that Bermuda’s senior school graduates are “well-prepared” to transition to postsecondary school educational programmes, and the workforce.

Mr. Speaker,

Plan 2022, Bermuda’s five-year strategic plan for public school education, defines the trajectory for the changes that we will make in public education. These changes will enable us to build on our strengths as we execute strategies for the transformation of our public school system. This Government is committed to Plan 2022; committed to improving the quality of education; committed to improving the quality of teaching and learning experiences for our children; and committed to ensuring an improvement in the outcomes for the Public School System. This is evident Mr. Speaker, by the encouraging achievements of our graduates shared at the two senior school graduation ceremonies.
Mr. Speaker,

The Berkeley Institute invited Ms. Gherdai Hassell, an alumnus from the Class of 2009, as the guest speaker for their graduation ceremony. Ms. Hassell, an artist who presently resides in Japan, delivered a passionate message to the graduates. She challenged them to set and pursue audacious goals; to ask for what they want; to exercise their faith and to be determined in their actions to achieve their goals.

Mr. Speaker,

Allow me to share some of the achievement data for the Berkeley Institute graduating Class of 2019.

• There were 135 graduates;

• 126 graduates received the Bermuda School Diploma [BSD];

• 5 graduates received the Bermuda Alternative School Diploma [BASD] from the Functional Academics Programme for the very first time;

• 38 graduates will attend colleges and universities in the United Kingdom; the United States and Canada;

• 57 graduates will attend the Bermuda College; and

• 9 students will enter the workforce.

Mr. Speaker,

• One S3 male student graduated a year ahead of his peers; while

• 4 young men earned the Penn Foster High School Diploma completing high school one year ahead of their peers.

Mr. Speaker,

• 3 students graduated from the Bermuda College with Associate Degrees;

• 10 students graduated with Applied Technology Certificates from Bermuda College;

• 4 students graduated with a Nursing Assistant’s Certification from the Bermuda College; and

• One student graduated from the Bermuda College with a Diploma in Hospitality for the first time in the schools’ history.

Mr. Speaker,

• One student will be travelling with Up with People;

• 3 graduates were awarded Rotary Exchange placements out of a possible 4 spots;

• One graduate earned a scholarship to the United World College in Swaziland; and

• 28 graduates received scholarships and awards totalling approximately $117,000 with students also receiving scholarships from ABIC, Deloitte and Chubb.

Mr. Speaker,

The guest speaker for the CedarBridge Academy graduation was Ms. Daishawnai Richardson, a graduate from the CedarBridge Academy Class of 2003 and one of our very own, a primary school teacher in the Bermuda Public School System. Miss Richardson delivered a powerful and passionate call to graduates to “level up” as they prepare for their future. She told them that if they choose to do so, they will win. Ms. Richardson concluded her message by performing a liturgical dance to the popular gospel song, “You Will Win.”

Mr. Speaker,

I will now share the achievement data for the CedarBridge Academy graduates from the Class of 2019.

Mr. Speaker,

• There were 94 graduates;

• 86 students graduated with the Bermuda School Diploma [ BSD];

• 4 students graduated with the Bermuda Alternative School Diploma [ BASD];

• One student graduated with a Bermuda Senior School Leaving Certificate [BSLC];

• One student graduated with a Bermuda Functional Skills Certificate [BFSC];

• 2 students graduated with the Penn Foster High School Diploma; and

• 2 students completed the BSD programme within 3 years instead of four;

Mr. Speaker,

• 2 students graduated from Bermuda College with an Associate’s Degree;

• 8 students graduated from Bermuda College with a Certificate in Applied Technology;

• 5 students graduated with the Nursing Assistants Certificate from Bermuda College;

• 23 graduates will attend overseas colleges and universities; and

• 52 graduates will attend Bermuda College in the fall.

Mr. Speaker,

• One graduate earned a Rotary Exchange in Bolivia; this means that all 4 Rotary Spots were filled by Public School Students

• One graduate will join the newest cohort of Up With People;

• Two graduates will travel to Tanzania and two graduates will travel to Nepal this summer with Raleigh International;

• At the age of 15 years, one graduate earned the Bermuda School Diploma in three years and will attend the United World College in India.

Mr. Speaker,

• Graduates at the CedarBridge Academy earned scholarships and awards in the amount of $155,000 in addition to internships and apprenticeships.

• 4 students were recognized for earning the NCCER Core Certification in the area of technical education; and from winning awards over the years, they contributed over $100,000.00 to educational programmes at the school. Mr. Speaker that is commendable!

Mr. Speaker,

Of the 135 graduates from The Berkeley Institute and the 94 graduates from CedarBridge Academy, I am pleased to report that this year recorded an increase in graduates who have applied to the Bermuda College. We have a total of 109 students from The Berkeley Institute and CedarBridge Academy enrolled at the Bermuda College. This is up from 85 students last year, a difference of 24 students. This is in spite of the total number of graduates decreasing this year by 6 from last year’s total.

You will be reminded that in the Throne Speech this year the Government introduced the merit-based College Promise Programme, awarding scholarships to public school graduates with appropriate GPA’s who wish to attend Bermuda College. It has been noted that the increase in public school graduates enrolling in the Bermuda College is due, in large part, to the introduction of the College Promise Programme.

Mr. Speaker,

The Berkeley Institute and CedarBridge Academy graduates are amazing; and they have made their parents, the senior schools and all of us proud. I wish every graduate continued success in the future, and I definitely look forward to hearing about their personal achievements and collective contributions to our Island as they mature into our future leaders.

Mr. Speaker,

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

Mr. Speaker,

This Government will continue to work diligently to create opportunities for students in the Bermuda Public School System so that they can thrive, succeed and achieve their goals, dreams and aspirations.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker!

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