MORE THAN 100 students of St Richard's Primary School were honoured recently for outstanding academic performance in internal examinations, and exemplary conduct.

The Red Hills Road, St Andrew institution, in association with its parent-teacher association (PTA), hosted its fifth annual Principal's Golden Achievers' Club Awards ceremony on May 30.

The ceremony was the brainchild of Donald Morgan, the former PTA president. He told The Gleaner that he introduced the programme to the PTA in November 2003, shortly after his son was awarded for outstanding academic perfor-mance during his first term of high school.

Formed from enthusiasm

Morgan spoke of his elation as a father, and decided to share the idea with St Richard's. This led to the formation of a planning committee, inclusive of parents and teachers, and in May 2004, the first Principal's Golden Achievers' Club Awards ceremony was held.

Qualifications

The programme has grown. "It is now a big item on the school's agenda," Morgan said.

Qualifying for the programme starts with mid-year examination results. Students who score an average 85 per cent (with no grade lower than 80) and demonstrate commendable behaviour are signed up to sit the principal's test, which is based on the grade level of each prequalified student. Only those receiving at least 90 per cent get the award.

Of the 596 students currently enrolled, 205 attained the initial qualification this year. However, only 115 were awarded, including four in a programme which facilitates students with learning challenges.

Ten students fell short as they failed to meet one, or more, of the 13 items on what is known as the checklist form. This list is given to teachers with performance requirements that include; punctuality, respect for school property, moral values and attitudes.

randy.stewart@gleanerjm.com