Good grades in Guilds ... Spalding High students excel in London exams

George Henry

Owen Battiest, head of department, stands with some of his students who were successful in their 2014 sitting of the City and Guilds Motor Vehicle Engineering examinations. From left: Kimannie Daley, Francine Delisser, Kenardo Johnson and Rojay Burrell.

GEORGE HENRY

STAR Writer

Thirteen students at the Spalding High School in Clarendon are elated following their successful sitting of the 2014 administered City and Guilds Motor Vehicle Engineering examination.

THE STAR has learnt that not only are the students and the members of the Industrial Arts department at the school happy about the success, but that the entire school is proud to have been informed that the school has achieved the best results among other schools in the parish this year.

Owen Battiest, the head of Department, is elated for their success, especially because the cost to sit the examination was very high. He said the students had to come up with $10,000 to sit the London examination.

"The students were successful because they were all highly motivated, and it made teaching them very easy. They learnt with very little resources; hence, my elation at their success," said Battiest, adding that the use of technology in the delivery of the course and extra classes also contributed to their success.

Battiest called on the Government and corporate Jamaica to assist the school in getting well-needed tools - an old motor vehicle among other things - to assist in better preparation of other students. He believes the school can do much better if more resources are acquired.

Francine Delisser, the lone female student in the group, told THE STAR that she felt great knowing she was able to pass the practical subject. The fifth former added that she has a love for motor vehicle engineering from she was attending primary school.

"I spent quality time studying the subject, and it has resulted in me passing with a credit certificate," said Delisser. She plans to further her studies at the Jamaica German Automotive School in Kingston after graduating.