Creative Kids Learning Academy claims Jamaica’s PEP top boy and top girl

Creative Kids Learning Academy has produced Jamaica’s national top boy and top girl in this year’s Primary Exit Profile (PEP) examinations. Founder and principal Heidi Cay Holmes joined students Niraj Sahukar and Zuri Cousins to discuss the achievement and their next steps.

Sahukar said he was “overwhelmed with joy and deep gratitude,” calling the recognition an honour and expressing pride in his hard work and dedication. When the results came, he described his reaction as “half and half” — surprised and very happy. Cousins said she felt “over the moon” and proud of herself. Learning she was top girl left her surprised, she added, “but not really surprised.”

Holmes said the outcome felt phenomenal and noted that both students had already performed strongly in Grades Four and Five. Cousins, she said, earned perfect scores on the Grade Five PEP assessments, so Grade Six felt like confirmation of work already done.

Sahukar said his aim was simply to do well and secure a place at Campion College. He did not expect to finish as the nation’s top boy. Cousins balanced PEP preparation with track, photography and maths Olympiad commitments, often completing activities first and turning to homework later in the day. She found the exam somewhat demanding and admitted some pressure from juggling several commitments at once, which she managed by breaking tasks into segments. Sahukar said he felt confident rather than pressured and confirmed he placed at Campion. Cousins is also headed there.

Both students said they feel excited about high school and aware that more work lies ahead. Cousins listed medicine, entrepreneurship and technology among her interests, saying she wants to help people and change lives. Sahukar is drawn to photography so far.

Holmes credited the school’s growth and results to a shared vision among staff, naming colleagues including Auntie Dion, Auntie Lorraine, Mr Lee, Miss Percy, Miss Mark and Miss Percy Junior. The school, she said, continually reviews where students slip and works to rebuild confidence, arguing that children who do not believe in themselves will not perform no matter how much they are taught. The academy operates from 23 Winter Avenue and has no places left for the coming September intake.