One of Barbados’ most celebrated private primary institutions, St Gabriel’s Primary School, has turned in a standout performance in the 2024 Barbados Secondary Schools’ Entrance Examination, securing both the top male and top female scores island-wide while placing four students in the overall top 10 rankings. The landmark result ranks among the school’s strongest academic showings in modern history, sparking widespread celebration across the campus after official results were unveiled by Minister of Education Transformation Chad Blackman.
For 11-year-old Benjamin Luciene, the newly crowned top-performing boy, the achievement is the product of years of steady support from his school, family, and friends. In an interview following the results announcement, Luciene spoke through a wide smile about his overwhelming pride and gratitude for everyone who walked the journey with him. “I’m just so happy and proud to have achieved this result – I couldn’t have asked for anything more,” he said. “I had consistent support from my family, my teachers, and my friends every step of the way. On exam day, I just focused on giving it my all, and I’m completely satisfied with how everything turned out.”
Like many test-takers, Luciene acknowledged pre-exam jitters played a role in the lead-up to test day. “To be honest, I just wanted to get it over with,” he admitted. “When the day finally came, all I focused on was doing my best and staying calm no matter what happened.” His father, Maxime Luciene, credited the family’s low-pressure, balanced approach to childhood and academics for his son’s success, alongside the high-quality instruction St Gabriel’s provided. “We are over the moon with this result, and we have to thank God and the entire team at St Gabriel’s for everything they’ve done,” he said. “At home, our main goal was to create an environment where Benjamin could thrive naturally. We know academics matter a lot, but for us, it was just as important to make sure he got to be a kid first. We prioritized giving him a healthy home, nutritious food, spiritual guidance, and all the tools he needed to succeed on his own terms.”
Claiming the title of top-performing girl was Xiomara Alexis Lascaris, who said months of consistent revision and intentional preparation paid off far beyond her expectations. Lascaris, who has long set her sights on attending Harrison College, shared that she already got a preview of her next academic home and is eager to start the new chapter. “I feel so accomplished right now – I know I put in the work, and it feels good to see that effort rewarded,” she said. “I’m so thankful to every single person who supported me to get here. I went on a campus tour of Harrison College recently, and it was just beautiful. I got to see the classrooms and learn all about the different opportunities I’ll have there, and I can’t wait for my time there.” Her mother, Witney Lascaris, praised her daughter’s relentless work ethic and willingness to make short-term sacrifices to reach her goal. “I couldn’t be more proud of Xiomara. She worked so hard for this, and there were definitely things she put on hold to focus on her prep. She’s such a hard worker, and she takes her studies incredibly seriously.” Lascaris also shared that her daughter’s long-term ambitions have evolved over the years, ranging from exploring space as an astronaut to flying commercial aircraft as a pilot.
Two more St Gabriel’s students, Shiloh Noelle Brewster and Adelaide Mae Sikkens, also claimed spots in the island’s top 10 overall rankings, cementing the school’s dominant performance. For Brewster, who earned a spot at her first-choice school Queen’s College, the reward for her hard work is simple: getting back to the hobbies she put on pause during exam prep. “I’m really proud of myself, and I’m so happy to have my free time back now that it’s over,” she said with a laugh. To make space for studying, Brewster cut back on screen time and spent hundreds of hours working through practice exam papers, and her prize for hitting her goal is a simple one: her favorite doughnuts. Her father, Leon Brewster, said her result is a direct reflection of her innate discipline and quiet confidence, while her mother Denise Brewster noted that the entire family adjusted their routines to support Shiloh throughout her preparation.
For Sikkens, the fourth top-10 performer from the school, the achievement came with characteristic modesty. When asked about her result, she simply smiled and said, “I feel happy.” Her mother Dana shared that the family followed a simple, low-stress strategy to keep her grounded ahead of the exam: “We just focused on keeping her calm and sticking to our normal routine. We didn’t want to add extra pressure, and it worked out perfectly.”
Education observers across Barbados have noted that St Gabriel’s performance this year highlights the consistent quality of education the private institution delivers, and the balanced approaches taken by all four top-performing students’ families are already being cited as examples for future test-takers across the island.