Kyle Rawlins accepts his secondary certificate from Cheryl Rock, Principal of the Derrick Smith School and Vocational Centre.
Jovan Douglas, who earned a vocational certificate in Agriculture and Landscaping, accepts his certificate from Senator Harcourt Husbands, Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation.
Delicia Boyce accepts her vocational certificate in Art and Craft.
Each of the 20 students making up the 2017 Graduating Class of the Derrick Smith School and Vocational Centre, have grown and developed in their special needs journey in a way that has surpassed expectations.
Principal Cheryl Rock acknowledged the above on Thursday, as she delivered an address during a graduation ceremony held at the school, located at Lears, St. Michael.
“Each student who sits before you has overcome immense challenges to be here today. Students who two years ago did not have the upper body strength to open our super heavy doors, are now enrolled in our culinary and woodwork programmes. Students who found people scary and unpredictable have made friends and are motivated to engage and communicate. Students who society had written off as unworthy and troublesome, are now starting full-time employment,” Rock remarked.
She added, “Each student has surpassed what was expected of (him or her), to show the world that they are capable of so much more.”
Rock noted that at the Centre, management and staff are ever mindful that everything they do needs to be within a warm, respectful, loving relationship.
“It is through positive maturing experiences, environments and relationship, that optimal learning takes place,” she stressed.
She meanwhile noted that the relationships and connections formed at the Centre between teachers and students, between teachers and parents and amongst students themselves, have helped to make the school a success, two years since its official opening.
Thanking teachers for giving one hundred per cent to the task at hand and parents for their fullest support, Rock noted that though the students graduating were officially leaving, the management and staff will still continue to play a role in their lives, with either a phone call or a visit.
Eighteen of the 20 students were present for the graduation, which saw students being presented with secondary certificates and also vocational certificates, covering areas such as Woodwork, Art and Craft, Agriculture and Landscaping, and Culinary Arts.