Many girls from South and Central Trinidad aspire to attend Naparima Girls' High School. Shivanna Chatoor, Cameel Juman and Arielle Rambharose who topped the 2014 SEA, all picked Naparima Girls' High School as their first choice.
At Naps Girls' recent Speech Day and Awards Ceremony at the Susamachar Presbyterian Church, glowing tributes were paid to many who contributed to the success of the students from Form One to Six. Some of the dignitaries in attendance included San Fernando West MP and Public Adminstration minister Carolyn Seepersad- Bachan, Legal Affairs minister Prakash Ramadhar, San Fernando deputy mayor Junia Regrello, the mayor's wife Cathy Hosein, Presbyterian Secondary Schools Board chairman Lincoln Ramsaran, Presbyterian Church moderator Rev Brenda Bullock, Education ministry School Supervisor Roydon Rampersad and Zalayhar Hassanali, wife of late president Noor Hassanali.
The school's principal, Carolyn Bally-Gosine thanked some of those responsible for the school's success including the Education ministry, the Presbyterian Board, teachers, parents, the Parents Action Committee, Chaplain Rev Dr Randall Sammah, the Naparima Girls' High School Alumnae Association and the corporate community.
Bally-Gosine, a past student of Naparima Girls' High School, enthusiastically celebrated the excellent results at recent examinations.
In the Cape examinations, the school enjoyed 100 per cent passes in 16/18 subjects in Unit 1, and 100 per cent passes in 18/18 subjects in Unit 2. Overall, 100 per cent of their students have full certificates.
National scholarships were awarded to 33 students. Ten received Open scholarships and 23 received additional scholarships. One student was awarded a UWI Open Scholarship in the Faculty of Engineering.
At CSEC, all students obtained full certificates. Bally-Gosine said this accomplishment is one that is a monumental task that demanded commitment from teachers, students and parents. In addition, students were also encouraged and mandated to develop holistically and participate in their numerous extra-curricular activities and competitions.
Naparima Girls' High School boasts of providing an environment where students are motivated to excel and fulfill their true potential. In 2013, Aahisha Persad and Xadelle Mohess placed first and second in the CSEC Examinations and were awarded the President's Medal Gold and Silver, respectively.
In 2013, Simone Jacob placed first in the Caribbean in MOB Unit 2.
On entering the school, students are urged to do their best in academic and extra-curricular activities. Bally-Gosine told the students, "Remember that not all lessons can be learnt from books. You can learn something from each person who passes through your lives. Some lessons are painful, but all are priceless...
"Winning medals, trophies, prizes and scholarships should never be your all-consuming goal in life. Instead you should aspire to live on in the hearts and minds of all with whom you interact, as loving, kind, humble, patient, tolerant, forgiving and generous, honest and as a person of integrity.
"Always strive to serve your fellow man before yourselves. Do not be afraid to stand for what you believe in, even if that means standing alone," she said.
During the August vacation, repairs were undertaken in conjunction with the Ministry of Education and the EFCL team. The project underway is the construction of the Skywalk and special thanks were given to Education minister Dr Tim Gopeesingh and EFCL's Shama Maharaj.
The goal of Naparima Girls, is to ensure that students are not only critical thinkers and problem-solvers who excel academically, but also well-rounded, proactive, adaptable and able to lead healthy and positive lifestyles.