CONGRATULATIONS: Jamaican tops the world in GCE math.....The University of Cambridge International Examination Board had named sixth form student Achsah Wildish “Top in the World” for her performance in Advanced Subsidiary-Level mathematics.

Sunday, January 31, 2016 Excerpt from the Jamaica Gleaner 

THE Brayton Hall Auditorium at British West Indies Collegiate (BWIC) erupted in ear-splitting cheers when it was announced at a special event two Thursdays ago that the University of Cambridge International Examination Board had named sixth form student Achsah Wildish “Top in the World” for her performance in Advanced Subsidiary-Level mathematics.

Jamaican-born Achsah Wildish scored the highest
GCE AS-Level maths grades in the world for 2015.

AS mathematics is an advanced course that is equivalent to three modules of the complete six at the Advanced Level.

“She not only scored 100 per cent in her AS mathematics examinations, but she has officially topped the world in mathematics,” vice-principal Anthony Wilkinson announced.

Achsah, the daughter of well-known Jamaican building contractor John Wildish, was kept in suspense until the moment her name was called and confessed that she was in shock. “I put two and two together to figure I was involved in the assembly, but I didn’t know how or why. So this is all one big surprise,” she said.

She explained that she sat two exams – one in pure mathematics and one in mechanical mathematics.

“To me, this achievement means that I have achieved my goals in mathematics; that I put in the effort, and that it will help me going forward as a recognised awardee, and will help me to get into university and help me develop my future,” Achsah said.

It came as little surprise to her father, who proclaimed his daughter’s abilities.

(From left) Turks and Caicos Islands Governor Peter
 Beckingham, Achsah Wildish, head prefect of
BWIC, and vice-principal Anthony Wilkinson.

“Her mathematics teacher and the school are very supportive, and I think that the work ethic at the school is extremely high and they make the students go the extra mile. Achsah has got talent, and it is hard work on her behalf and good preparation on the school’s behalf, so I am glad for her. I feel very, very happy. She will be able to get into a good college,” he said.

Achsah’s achievement has been characterised as a breakthrough for the Turks and Caicos Islands’s education system.

The award was presented to her in the presence of an array of dignitaries, including Premier Dr Rufus Ewing, Opposition Leader Sharlene Cartwright Robinson, and former Premier Galmo Williams. Governor Peter Beckingham also visited the school and personally congratulated the young woman just before the event. more