ARCHIVE ENTRIES COVERING EXAMINATION RESULTS AT THE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL, 2005 – 2007
SEYCHELLES NATION, 24 August 2007
International School : Examination Results
Recently published IGCSE and Advanced level results saw the excellent outcomes of the last few years maintained at both levels.
Year 11 students taking five or more subjects gained 80% of all passes at the higher level (A* – C grades). 20% of all results were lower passes, with no fails recorded. On average students took 11 subjects, with five particularly able students taking 13, with two subjects taken early.
The strongest individual performance this year came from Siobhan Dooley, whose 13 higher passes included 8 A* grades and 3 grade As. Just behind were Lynn Prea (13 higher passes, including 4 A* and 8 As), Rokhsan Karkaria (13 higher passes including 4 A* and 5As) and Nalini Ramadoss (11 higher passes including 5 A* and 4 As). Rosabelle Mederick and Cyrus Karkaria also secured an impressive 13 higher passes.
Head of Secondary Steve Copley expressed satisfaction at yet another strong IGCSE showing, emphasising the mixed ability character of the school and the manner in which the most able students are encouraged to take additional subjects after school and during the first year of IGCSE study. He said ‘This, in addition to excellent resources, contributes greatly to securing good final results. We also provide examination preparation courses which articulate issues around the psychology of examination performance, effective revision and trouble-shooting when sitting the final papers. However the most significant factor in these very fine results remains the hard work and determination of the students, the majority of whom are very happy with their results and are now preparing to commence Advanced level courses in the International School Sixth Form.’
A level results were also extremely pleasing. 14 students completed their course and all who applied to university secured their places. Because the school encourages more able students to take four subjects the average points total for completing students was 360, the equivalent of three grade A passes. (An A grade is worth 120 points, a B is worth 100 points, a C 80 points etc. AS passes are valued at half of the full A level points tally).
This year Blessy Zachariah, who previously established the record for IGCSE success, secured 4 grade A passes at A level, accumulating 480 points. Chirag Meghjee Shah gained four full A levels (AAAB) and one AS level (A), giving him 520 points. Rajiv Shah also passed four full A levels (AABB) and one AS level (A), gaining 500 points, however he also passed Mathematics at STEP 1 and 2 levels at the highest possible grades. STEP (Sixth Term Examination Papers) are more difficult than Advanced level and his achievement is thus exceptional. Other strong performers included Ming Ming Lei (AABB) and Damien Durup (380points from four A level passes).
Nayna Kennedy, Head of Sixth Form, praised the students for their tenacity and talent. ‘International A levels remain extremely challenging’ she said, commenting that whilst the UK domestic A levels receive constant criticism for being ‘modularised’ and ‘dumbed down’, the international examinations have retained credibility due to their toughness and the lack of coursework options. ‘With Cambridge International papers, good final grades require thorough preparation and excellent time management. University admissions officers around the world recognize the particular challenges presented by these courses and are, I believe, welcoming to successful students partly due to this perception.’ She concluded ‘Of 51 grades secured by students completing their three or four A level programme only three grades were below C – we saw no grade Es (the lowest pass grade) and no fails. This is most encouraging.’
Nine students will complete their course in November, in line with the school’s policy of utilizing both examination series (May and November) to accommodate students who commenced the course late, or require additional time to complete the programme.
Head Teacher Martin Kennedy also expressed satisfaction with the results. ‘As we follow the UK academic calendar the May/June examinations represent our busiest time in terms final assessments. I’m very happy to see our students reap the rewards of a great deal of hard work and justify the faith invested in them by their teachers. I do, however, believe that school should invest resources in the development of young people in the broadest possible sense – we nurture academic excellence, but also try to provide the foundations of good citizenship. Sound examination results should be a by-product of a curriculum which embraces this philosophy.’
IGCSE star performers: (left to right) Siobhan Dooley, Rokhsan Karkaria, Nalini Ramadoss and Lyn Prea.
ADVANCED LEVEL star performers: (l to r) Rajiv Shah, Ming Ming Lei, Blessy Zacharriah and Chirag Shah
SEYCHELLES NATION, 21 August 2007
International School to open on Praslin
The International School Seychelles has confirmed that it will be expanding to Praslin island next year. A new, purpose-built school will be constructed at Baie St Anne to provide a British-style curriculum, initially for children aged 3 to 10 years of age. The Mahe campus will continue to accommodate children aged 3 years to 18 years of age, with expansion currently underway to ensure that Praslin students will have a guaranteed place in the Mahe secondary section following the completion of Year 6 (P6).
The new school, which is proceeding with the full support of government and the church authority (which owns the site), will open in September 2008. Term dates, staffing, resourcing, curriculum and fee structure will mirror that currently in place at the Mahe school. The accommodation is to be constructed on a landscaped site of great natural beauty and charm; it will reflect the educational priorities of the school, namely the development of the whole child, academically and socially. All teaching and administration areas will be air-conditioned, with classrooms networked and linked to both an IT suite and an electronic library. The school will also have clear and effective day-to-day links with the ‘sister school’ on Mahe. The school aims to develop excellent sports facilities to complement the high level of academic resourcing.
The school will be constructed by Vijay Construction. Vijay is also carrying out the present expansion at the Mahe school, which will be completed in January 2008. Vijay Construction is also entering into a strong partnership with both International School campuses, the full details of sponsorship and support to be announced shortly. The partnership will reflect and extend Mr Vijay Patel’s exceptional interest in, and support for, the development of education in Seychelles, already expressed through initiatives such as the Vijay Scholarship programme for overseas undergraduate study for Seychellois.
Mr Martin Kennedy, head teacher of the International School Seychelles, explained that the original idea for the new school came from a group of Praslin parents who were keen to see the provision of choice for parents with regard to where their children are educated extended to Praslin and La Digue. This concept of choice is articulated within the 2005 Education Act. Mr Kennedy praised the Praslin parents for their tenacity and initiative; ‘a great deal of the credit for this venture goes to our friends on Praslin; they have committed enormous amounts of energy and time to ensure that the project proceeds, and have been a constant source of optimism throughout the two year development period for this project. Hats off to them, as well as the staff, parents and Board members at the Mahe site, who have pledged support to the expansion of the school to Praslin.’
Mr Kennedy also thanked Bishop Denis Weihe, the Ministry of Education, and Mr Vijay Patel for their crucial and valued support for the project. When open the school will offer 200 places to children on Praslin and La Digue. Mr William Rose has kindly agreed to facilitate a ‘season ticket’ system for any children wishing to make the daily return crossing from La Digue to attend the new school.
Construction will commence shortly on a distinctive building, ‘L’ shaped, with a food court where the two wings meet. The building, which has been designed by Joanne Pragassen, will feature inlaid glass and unusual light vents in a style that is modernist and functional. ‘We are all extremely excited about the new school; it will be light and spacious, well-equipped and beautiful. However, as with all schools, the key to its success will be the teachers, students and parents who will collectively form a new school community and identity.’ Mr Kennedy said.
Mrs Fabiola Horner, Chair of the Mahe Board of Governors, confirmed that the two schools will not only share curricula and resources but also a new school motto; ‘You are born not for yourself but for the whole world’, which is intended to reflect and represent the schools’ international profile and agenda.
SEYCHELLES NATION, 15 September 2005
June 2005 Exam Results
The superb achievements by some of our pupils in the June 2005 examinations.
Record breaking performances:
- Blessy Zachariah (Year 11) gained 11 IGCSEs at grade A*
- Nathalie Mein (Year 13) gained 3 A-Levels and 2 AS-Levels at grade A
Overall:
- 82.2% of IGCSE passes at grades A*-C
- 30% of Year 11 students achieved 12 IGCSE passes at A*-C
- 99.4% pass rate at A-Level
- 74.4% of A-Level passes at grades A-C
There were many other notable individual performances by students. An extremely pleasing set of exam results!
Airtel Art in Schools Project
Exhibition of Paintings made by our students for the Meridien Barbarons Hotel
Read more about the project in the Extra Curriculum pages or read about all the details of the project and view samples from the gallery by jumping to our old site by clicking here