After three months of writing the 2009 B.E.C.E, the West African Examination Council (W.A.E.C.) is yet to release the B.E.C.E. results. Information from a trusted source indicates that due to the second registration of the 2009 candidates coupled with the fact that six choices of schools at the S.H.S. were selected. The 2009 B.E.C.E. result might be released by the close of August 2009.

If problems that were encountered during the early stages of running the Computerized School Selection and Placement system (CSSPS) are to be avoided, then G.E.S and W.A.E.C. are to ensure that those in charge of the Placement software do thorough work. Issues like a male candidate being placed in a female school or vice versa should be a thing of the past.

Problems arising from the second registration such as change of names and the change in the order of selection of schools must be looked at thoroughly because I believe no candidate will be happy if his/her results go to another candidate

Students on the other hand should exercise patience for G.E.S to come out with problems free results. Rumours are already in the system that the 2009 B.E.C.E results have been placed on the Internet. That’s a big lie. The earliest date candidates can expect any results from W.A.E.C. is early September.

On the 19^th of June 2009, a trip to the Wli Agumatsa waterfalls was organized by the management and staff of Mayflower Preparatory School located on the Spintex road, off Batsonaa total filling station.

On the D-day of the trip, students trooped to the school grounds as early as 5:30am in their numbers. The well equipped bus took off at exactly 7:00am. A journey of about four hours  lasted for five hours because the bus had to stop a few times to enable students  purchase snacks and to respond to nature’s call.

On the way to the Wli Agumatsa falls, we passed on the Adomi Bridge and the students were so fascinated about how the bridge was built. Various towns we came across after crossing the bridge includes; Peki, Kpeve, Alavanyo kpeme, Kpando and some other villages. Finally we reached our destination were the falls is located.

On the way to the falls we passed various mountains including the Afadjato Mountain, since the falls was high we could see it on reaching our destination; we were welcomed by the two German couples who reside near the falls. The falls takes its source from the Togo Agumatsa Mountain and that is how it derived the name “Wli Agumatsa Waterfalls”.

The Wli Agumatsa falls has a height of  sixty meters and it is the highest water fall in West Africa. On the way to the lower falls, we crossed nine rivers which had been bridged. On reaching the falls we were briefed about the history of the falls and how it derived its name. We were later informed by our guide that behind the falls lays one of Ghana’s neighbouring countries, Togo. The Guide informed us that we could have a swim in the falls so far as we do not pass the danger zone. After we had swam, we all grouped to take pictures at the falls.

After we had taken both group and individual photographs, we all left the falls and returned to the refreshment bar located at the falls lodge and had our snacks.

The journey back home took us  six hours since the driver had to slow down because it was raining heavily.

We arrived back home around 9:00pm very worn-out and tired. After saying a prayer to thank God for bringing us back safely, we dispatched to our various homes.

Below is the list of the top 10 basic schools in Tema Metropolis. Getting placed among the best simply means that all your candidates obtain between aggregate 6 and 7 in their Basic Education Certificate Examination (B.E.C.E).

I just couldn’t believe that the 2009 Basic Education Certificate Examinations (BECE )was about to start. Wasn’t it just like some few months ago when the class of the intellectuals graduated, and we have gone one full year? How time flies.

Mayflower pupils would be competing with 394,000 other pupils all over the country for placements into the best senior high schools nationwide. I had explained to them on numerous occasions that it wasn’t just about getting 10 ones but it  had to do with the strength of your ones in the compulsory core subjects and two other highest scored subjects.

What haven’t we done for them? They have written the highest number of external mocks and internal mocks in the history of the school. I have disciplined them after failing to obtain cut off marks in their various tests.  The teachers have done their best and I believe if they do the rest success would be assured.

One thing I have observed over the past four years of presenting candidates for the B.E.C.E is that a united class has a greater chance of doing extremely well and that is one attribute of the ‘’huddle class of ideologue’’. They are united in all aspects. I sincerely wish you the very best of luck in your upcoming examinations.

What a name they chose to call their year group. The first time I heard members of the class of 2009 debating about what name to call their class, I wondered from a distance what they would come up with, whilst some of the boys wanted “the surprise class of 2009”, the ladies on the other hand wanted something more sophisticated.

And when I finally heard about the agreed name, the first question I asked was; “where the hell did this name come from?”

However, after interviewing the lady (Hamdiyah Braimah) who coined up the class name coupled with some investigation, I realized that I had underestimated their intelligence. This batch of students would actually surprise all the teachers because their determination to surpass the record set by their predecessor “the class of intellectuals” was so intense.

A group of pupils who have come together believing that they would make 10 ones and have followed all the necessary steps in order to achieve their aim.

All I can say is that I want to see the class live up to their name when the B.E.C.E result is released.

All too soon, we are preparing another batch of Junior High School pupils for the 2008/2009 B.E.C.E which commence on the 20th of April 2009.

Fifteen pupils from Mayflower Junior  High School will take part in the examination. But the question is; would they make their first choice school?

Management and teachers have done their best, uncountable internal and external mocks have been written, marked and corrections discussed with pupils. It is my sincere prayer that all the students perform extremely well and produce the first 10 ones for the school.

Just like an expectant mother who goes through pain before delivering, I pray you would all shout for joy when your results is released come August 2009.

	NAME	PICTURE	FIRST CHOICE	SECOND CHOICE
1	Nana Yaa K. Agyeman		Wesley Girls Cape Coast	Mfanstiman Girls Cape Coast
2	Akplah Edna		Holy Child Cape Coast	Mfanstiman Girls Cape Coast
3	Manasseh Anku		Mfanstipim Cape Coast	Aggrey memorial Zion Sec. School
4	Asiamah Seth		St. Augustine’s College	Ghana National Cape Coast
5	Braimah Hamdiyah		Holy Child Cape Coast	Mfanstiman Girls Cape Coast
6	Brookman Cecilia		Holy Child Cape Coast	Mfanstiman Cape Coast
7	Dzantor Elvis		Mfanstipim Cape Coast	Ghana National Cape Coast
8	Humphreline Kayseku		Holy Child             Cape Coast	Mfanstiman Girls Cape Coast
9	Kpodo Emefa Doreen		Wesley Girls Cape Coast	Mfanstiman Cape Coast
10	Oppong Nathaniel		Mfanstipim Cape Coast	Ghana National Cape Coast
11	Setrana Collins		Mfanstipim	Ghana National
12	Sofahu Jemimah		Wesley Girls Cape Coast	Mfanstiman Girls Cape Coast
13	Tetteh Leonard	Mfanstipim Cape Coast	Ghana National Cape Coast
14	Asante Yeboah Bismark		St. Augustine’s College	Ghana National Cape Coast
15.	Yeboah Gyan mercy		Wesley Girls Cape Coast	Mfanstiman Girls Cape Coast

All too soon, vacation is over and we are back for another new term. It’s my prayer that God would guide and protect us in this year of change.

A lot has happened whilst we were on vacation, elections were held, there was a re-run and the last election at Tain constituency decided the winner of the election which was won by the NDC party.

This term promises to be filled with academic activities and entertainment. Our form three’s would be writing their final examination on the 20^th of April, they need our prayers to excel.

Fun games would be organized on the 5^th of March between Glow lamp School, Grace Academy, Firm Foundation School and Mayflower School, I hope we would be prepared when the time is up.

Excursion would be organized in the third week of May to Willi falls in in the Volta Region; students should take note and prepare adequately for the excursion.

Once again, welcome back to school.

A lot is being said about the duration of the Senior High School, whilst the NPP government changed the program to four years to allow adequate preparation of candidates for the West African Certificate Examination, the new government stated in its manifesto that it would change it back to three years. But was the change necessary in the first place and should the new government revert back to the three years it used to be after most senior high schools have accepted the new format?

Mr. Alex Tettey-Enyo, the minister designate for education reiterated during his vetting at parliament that input from the public would be considered before changes are made, but I wonder what effect this will make since the government has already made up its mind on this issue. But for how long would politicians play politics with our education? Would a new government also change the duration in four years in case the NDC lose power?

I think what must be done is that all stakeholders meet to develop a national blueprint on education for the country. This must be followed irrespective of which party is in power. All the problems associated with the present format such as lack of infrastructure, teaching and learning materials, proper syllabi and other logistics must be provided for the smooth running of the current format at the Senior High School.

For the first time in the history of the school, Mayflower Preparatory School, Bastonaa has been ranked the best school in Tema Municipality based on the 2008 B.E.C.E results.

The school continues to improve on it performance every year. When our first batch of candidates wrote their B.E.C.E in 2006, most of the students did well; our worst aggregate being 14. At the time, the school placed 14^th in the ranking of the best basic school in Tema Municipality.

The second batch also did marvelously well, our worst aggregate was 08, and we were ranked the 3^rd best school in Tema and the 20^th best school in Ghana.

With all our candidates obtaining aggregate six at the last B.E.C.E, it was no surprise that we have been ranked the first. Journey to this point has taken a lot of hard work and sacrifice. Our record in mathematics and Integrated Science has been one of the best in the past three years.

When the school was established, the proprietor sole wish was that students who passed through the walls of the school excel in their final exams, have confidence in Mathematics, Science and English. He even tagged the school “science school”, being the only school that offers physics, chemistry and biology at the J.H.S level.

Questions parents asked during the second PTA meeting was “can the school maintain this position next year?”

Since the inception of the ranking system about eight years ago, no school has defended the title and we are planning to break that record. I pray that almighty God gives us life to offer our little quota to the community.