St Joseph’s Convent, St Lucia

This was truly a historic year in my life as I had the privilege of witnessing the raising of our national flag at midnight on February 22, 1979 during the ceremony on our attainment of Independence. There were some memorable events in my life during 1979 that included the celebrations and fireworks on Independence night in February, turning sweet sixteen and immediately obtaining my driver’s license, and writing the GCE O’ Level examinations and the CSEC examinations offered by CXC for the first time.

I particularly appreciate the significance of being able to write the CXC examinations in 1979. Academically, one of the top students during my five years at the St. Joseph’s Convent, I excelled in all subject areas (except Art and Cookery). My subjects in form four were English Language, English Literature, History, French, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Biology. Since this was the first year of CXC, we also had to write the English Language. Usually I never worried about writing examinations; however, inevitably the results of these exams at the end of form five do determine a student’s future irrespective of the performance during the past five years of secondary school. I was nervous for my very first GCE examination which was the English Language. After that examination I had a nagging feeling that I almost blanked out while writing the essay and in general I knew my nerves had gotten the better of me. There were no time to dwell on that subject and I tackled the other subjects over the next few weeks and did not have any nerves or problems. I remember writing the CXC English examination and I felt great after and knew this was a better examination than the GCE English.

My worse fear was confirmed with the release of the GCE results a few weeks later. I obtained one A, five B’s, one C in my other subjects. For English Language I obtained a D. This meant that despite my proven academic ability, I did not have the required entry mark in English Language to register at the Sir Arthur Lewis Advanced Level College. I was mortified and in shock. For about one to two weeks my whole future was a blur. My future studies now depended on my CSEC English Language Grade. Finally the CXC results were released- I obtained a Grade One. My family and I were so thankful that CXC was introduced that year. I registered for the Science courses at the Sir Arthur Lewis College.

My tertiary education was completed at the University of Guelph in Canada when I graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Microbiology in 1985. I pursued a career in Clinical Microbiology and entered the field of Medical Laboratory Technology. I worked in the private sector as a Microbiology Medical Technologist at Medical Laboratories in the Greater Toronto region from 1985 to 1993.

In May 1993, I returned to St Lucia and was appointed as the Acting Laboratory Superintendent (Manager) of the Ezra Long Laboratory at the Victoria Hospital. During my three years supervising this laboratory, I registered with the University of the West Indies Challenge Programme and obtained a Certificate in Public Administration. After three years in the public sector I got the opportunity to manage a laboratory in the private sector. I accepted the position of Laboratory Manager at Laboratory Services and Consultations Ltd.

I am currently in my 12th year as Manager at Laboratory Services and Consultations Ltd. During this period I have attained a Graduate Certificate of Achievement – Clinical Laboratory Quality and Operational Management from The Michener Institute for Applied Health in Toronto Canada and a Postgraduate Diploma in Business Administration from the University of Leicester in England.

I have had an interesting and challenging career while balancing a well-rounded social and family life. I am currently actively involved in planning activities to celebrate the St Joseph’s Convent’s Class of 1979 30th Anniversary. I was therefore thrilled when we were invited to provide our profile for The Caribbean Examiner magazine and CXC website.

In particular I felt this was a fitting time for me to write as my 16-year-old son is preparing to write his CSEC examinations this year. In particular I commend the CXC for the inclusion of the School Based Assessments towards the final grading, as based on my experience the consequence of a nervous examination day can result in a disappointing result.