Class of 2011 graduate

Over one hundred final year students from ACS Cobham celebrated the completion of High School last week on Friday 17th June. The graduation ceremony, attended by six hundred parents and relatives, saw the students mark the end of their school lives and reflect on their achievements over the past two years.

The students were addressed by the government's Special Representative to the Libyan Transitional National Council in Bengazi Libya, Dr John Jenkins. With a career in international diplomacy, Dr Jenkins made a poignant and philosophical speech about the importance of the younger generation maintaining the idealism of youth.

The students have recently completed their High School Diplomas, with the majority having taken either the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma, or their Advanced Placement (AP) (American university-level courses). The IB is an international qualification, widely recognised by the world's leading universities, whilst Advanced Placement courses earn students valuable credit at North American universities that are looking for able, motivated students.

The students were presented their High School Diploma certificates by Steve Baker, High School Principal, who has been High School Principal at ACS Cobham for 14 years and has attended every graduation since the first in 1979. Steve commented-

"Graduation day marks the end of an era for high school students and the start of one of the most exciting transitions in their lives. While many students have been looking forward to this day for a long time, we hope that their experience at ACS Cobham has been rewarding, enlightening and invaluable. With their school years now formally at an end, it goes without saying that we wish them all the very best of luck in their future studies and careers."

Dillon van Auken, who has completed his IB Diploma, will be attending Harvard University. Before joining ACS Cobham, Dillon studied the UK curriculum for a year on his arrival in the UK-

"From my experience of the UK education system, I found that the International Baccalaureate encouraged more in-depth thought and independent thinking. I actually took part in a summer programme at Columbia University in 2009, which was designed to replicate a university style of learning and found that this was at a similar level and pace to the work I had been doing as part of my course, so I have no doubt that the IB Diploma has fully prepared me for university and beyond."

Vikram Mathur, another IB Diploma graduate who has been accepted at the London School of Economics added-

"While the academic knowledge gained from the IB Diploma is undoubtedly valuable, it is the work and study skills that I believe will prepare me for life after school. Over the past two years, I have been able to expand my ability to time-manage, multi-task, and work under pressure. It is these very skills that I hope to sustain throughout my life."