The Principal of the Adrian T Hazell Primary School, Mrs Mavis Fleming Drakes, has found a novel way to award students for their outstanding performance in the Test of Standards, and other exams, last year. She did so by climbing up and dancing on the roof of one of the school’s buildings on Tuesday this week, March 25. Dressed in costume wear, she danced to the cheers of the students and teaching colleagues.
“At the beginning of last year, I made an agreement with the students that if the students achieved 80% or higher they will see me dance on the roof in a clown suit,” she told The Anguillian. “All year I have been encouraging them to aim for the best; don’t give up; listen to your teachers; follow directions; read over your notes and study, study. I am proud to say that a hundred and fifty of our students made 80% or higher and have improved in their academics.
“The tests they took last year, during April, were the Macmillian Reading Test for kindergarten through second grade, the Fourth Grade Standardised Test and the Test of Standards, and they showed overall improvement. I am very proud today to be on the roof dancing for my babies.
“This is also an encouragement at this time so that when they have the tests in the next couple of months, that they will be motivated. They have now given me another challenge. I will have to ride a bike and, amongst the school, they are going to decide what character I am going to be dressed like while riding around the school.”
It was these and other students who were awarded for excellence at the Third Annual Dorothy Hughes Academic Award ceremony held later on Tuesday, March 25, at the Bethel Methodist Church.
