No fiddling for Nero

Howard Campbell, Gleaner Writer

The noise of break-up day reverberated through Nero Christian's grade-six class-room at the Mona Preparatory school in St Andrew last Wednesday.

The stocky, youthful teacher seemed oblivious to the exuberant frolic of his students.

One week earlier, Christian was in a much more animated mood. He was savouring Mona's victory in the Junior Schools' Challenge Quiz competition, which they took with a 39-27 win over Allman Town Primary in the final.

For Christian, it has been the highlight of a teaching career that began when he was 18 years old. It came in his fifth year as a grade-six teacher at Mona Prep, and his fourth year as head coach of the school's quiz team.

"The thing about the Junior Schools' Challenge Quiz is that the areas are very wide. It's not just the GSAT (Grade Six Achievement Test)," Christian noted. "We are talking about general knowledge, current affairs. It demands that they know a range of topics."

Prior to this year's competition, Mona's best performance came in 2007 when they were runners-up to Windward Road All-Age. That school proved to be their nemesis in the next two seasons, stopping them at the quarter-final stage in 2008 and in round three last year.

Christian said after the 2009 contest, administrators at Mona came up with a strategy they believed would improve their team's fortunes.

"We thought it would be good to start with youngsters who could potentially play for two years, and that's how Jason Salmon and Stephan Griffiths got inculcated into the squad last year at ages nine and 10," Christian explained.

The other members of the team - Peter-John McDermott and Daniel Jennings - made their debuts this year. Jennings, however, had been part of the coaching staff's plans since last year.

Christian says while lifting the trophy was Mona's ultimate goal, winning at all costs has never been a priority.

"In essence, we were trying something new, investing in youngsters to see what experience and exposure would do for them the next time they entered the competition," he said. "I believe it helped their confidence and maturity tremendously."

Lakhranie Suckoo and Careann Hall, who also teach at Mona, helped guide the quiz team to victory. Christian said their achievement has not only enhanced the school's reputation as one of Jamaica's leading early-education institutions, but encouraged students there to try and make the team.

Financial challenges

Born in St Catherine, Nero Christian is the older of two sons for Paul and Maxine Christian. He followed his mother's path into education (Mrs Christian is principal of the De la Vega City Basic School in Spanish Town, Catherine) after financial chal-lenges ended his ambitions of becoming an airline pilot.

After leaving St Jago High School, he began teaching at Eltham Park Primary School in Spanish Town. During his five years there, he said he received a favourable report from a Ministry of Education team that encouraged him to stay in the classroom permanently.

He went on to Mico Teachers' College (now The Mico University) where he obtained a teaching diploma.

He has no regrets.

"I absolutely love teaching. It gives you an opportunity to mould young minds," he said.

Christian's wife, Sherone, is also a teacher. She coached the Sts Peter and Paul team in the 2009 Junior Schools' Challenge Quiz.

Coach sets Mona on fire in Junior Schools' Challenge Quiz