CON-GRAD-ULATIONS

Graduation celebrations were a huge success at ACS Hillingdon for the class of 2019 Students in the class of 2019 at ACS Hillingdon celebrated the end of their final year and completion of their academic endeavours at a graduation ceremony on Friday 31 May.

In the presence of family members, friends and school staff, 40 students, aged between 17-18 years, officially completed their intensive academic courses. Pupils followed curriculum programmes either from the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme – a broad, internationally recognised qualification that lends itself to continuing in a high education path at universities worldwide – or the Advanced Placement Programme, popular for those applying to universities in North America.

Student diplomas were presented by Martin Hall, Head of School and Lisa Blair, High School Principal and the graduation ceremony also included several awards recognising the students’ outstanding achievements throughout their time at ACS Hillingdon. The Founders’ Award was received by Alexandra Glover for her exceptional performance in sport, her academic achievement and her outstanding contribution to school life, service to others and strong leadership. Alexandra is one of our many British students and has attended ACS Hillingdon since she was 4 years old. Martin Hall, Head of ACS Hillingdon, said:

Graduation is always a special part of the school calendar. It celebrates the end of the school learning journey for our students before they embark on their next adventures wherever that may take them. I’m incredibly proud of all the students this year who have each worked their socks off both in and out of the classroom, making the school community richer for it. I cannot wait to see what comes next for them all. 

Amongst the awards, Juan Orive was named as 2019 Valedictorian and the Leadership Award went to Riley Rennie, both awards recognising the students’ academic achievements and their positive attitude and helping others across the year. The keynote guest speaker at this year’s graduation ceremony was Jack Williams, barrister at Monckton Chambers in London specialising in constitutional, competition and procurement laws. He has been involved in some the of the highest-profile litigation of recent times including Gina Miller’s Article 50 Brexit case. His advice to students included taking their experience of learning forward and to never stop, not to take themselves too seriously but that they all had the capability to make a difference.

The student speakers included Daniel Taricone and Riley Rennie as Graduate speakers. Their message included their experience of attending an International school and what a difference this has made to them both (Danield joined not speaking a word of English!) in their outlook and in how the school has made them do things they never thought they could do. They encouraged the graduating class to do the same – do more than you think you can! “I know that the whole year has worked incredibly had to reach this point,” said valedictorian student, Juan. “I’m thankful for the wonderful time that I’ve had studying at ACS Hillingdon, for the teaching staff who have been on hand whenever I’ve needed help, advice or guidance and for many lifelong friends I’ve made. I now feel ready to see what the next chapter brings.”