No one left behind as Leeds Primary records 100% passes at NGSA 2026

Leeds Primary School is celebrating a 100 per cent success rate at this year’s National Grade Six Assessment (NGSA), with all 19 students securing secondary school placements. The students were formally sent off on Thursday when the school held its 2026 graduation ceremony, marking the end of their primary education and the beginning of a new chapter. Two students secured placements at New Amsterdam Secondary School, six will attend Skeldon Line Path Secondary School, and 11 will move on to Tagore Memorial High School. Headteacher Tresca Fingall, in presenting her report, said the school was particularly pleased that its students earned placements at A- and B-grade secondary schools, with none scoring below 349. “This achievement reflects the hard work of our pupils, the dedication of our teachers, and the support of our parents,” she said. Fingall also singled out teacher Shmain Ross for her dedication and commitment to the graduating class. For the Headteacher, the occasion carried personal significance, having taught the children from Grade Two through Grade Four before eventually assuming responsibility for leading the school. “These are my babies,” Fingall told the gathering. “I had you from Grade Two to Grade Four, so I watched you grow. When the time came to prepare you for secondary school, I knew I had to make sure you were ready for the challenge ahead.” Fingall was promoted to headteacher on July 29, making the graduation a period of transition for both herself and the students. “So today, you are moving forward, and I am moving forward too,” she said.

Valedictorian Ayden Leacock, who topped the school, reflected on some of the challenges he encountered during his primary education and thanked his family, teachers and classmates for supporting him. “The journey was not always easy. There were difficult lessons, challenging assignments, and tests that made me nervous. And days when I simply wanted to go home, but I got through it all; I kept going. And today I can proudly say that I made it,” he said.
Leacock was presented with a computer in recognition of his achievement, while the other 18 graduates received electronic tablets. The devices were presented by former Leeds Primary student and Deputy Commissioner of Police Errol Watts. “To my fellow graduates, we did it, and this is only the beginning,” Leacock told his classmates. Former Headteacher Qualis Winter, who delivered the feature address, encouraged the graduates not to become discouraged when they encounter difficulties in secondary school. “A mistake is not a dead end,” he told them. “It is just proof that you are trying, learning and growing. Your mistakes do not define you. How you bounce back does.”
Winter also encouraged the students to choose their friends carefully, remain kind to others and resist pressure, including from social media, to become someone they are not. Former teacher and former Education Officer Claude Johnson, who delivered the charge, placed emphasis on discipline as the graduates prepare for a different learning environment. “At the primary school, you had a fixed teacher for the school year, but at the secondary school, you would have several teachers teaching different subjects, but the key should be discipline,” Johnson said. He also urged the graduates to be good ambassadors for Leeds Primary and to take full advantage of the educational opportunities available to them. “Remember, you have not arrived; your journey has just started. Seize this glorious opportunity,” he said. Meanwhile, Fingall reported that Leeds Primary has also been experiencing development among its staff and improvements to the school’s physical environment. Three staff members received promotions on July 29, while several teachers are pursuing further academic and professional qualifications, including university studies, master’s degrees and a PhD. The school’s upper flat was also sealed earlier this year to provide a more comfortable environment, while a new concrete drainage system with grilles and a bridge were constructed with support from the Regional Democratic Council (RDC). As the Class of 2026 prepared to leave Leeds Primary, Fingall reminded the students that the school would remain part of their lives.
“Leeds Primary School will always be a part of your story, and you will always be a part of ours. Congratulations, Class of 2026! Go forward, make yourselves proud, make your parents proud, and make Leeds Primary proud,” she said.