Read the latest from across our four schools....
At the time of publication, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, things are a little different on campus....
And we have had to think of new and inventive ways to celebrate our success and share our accomplishments. To that end, ACS had virtual graduations this year at all of our four schools - ready to celebrate our Grade 12s.
We wanted to include all of our community and with some students and family members not even in the same country, this was a great way to collectively get together and celebrate all the wonderful things our students have accomplished.
ACS Egham - 29 May
53 students graduated this year from ACS Egham at an online ceremony that was also livestreamed to friends and families around the world.
Care packages of surprises were delivered to each student from both the school and the PSO (Parent School Association) along with their diplomas, caps, gowns, tassels with year charms and International Baccalaureate pins.
When it came time to give the students their diplomas, we switched to the family online and watched the parents hand over the blue folder with many shaken hands and big hugs. We also hid this year's awards in the box and parents were sworn to secrecy - although even they did not know what award was being given until it was announced!
Awards included the Educational Collaborative for International Schools (ECIS) award for Internationalism, Leadership and Community service awards and the coveted Founders' award, this year given to Joe Martin. We even managed to have a hat toss - but did warn the parents to move anything breakable! We even managed to get a picture of the students before lockdown.
ACS Hillingdon - 4 June
55 students graduated online at ACS Hillingdon. This particular Class of 2020 have been resilient, adaptive and challenging!
Graduation started with a less than traditional procession with each student having filmed a short intro with both messages on card and family pets on show!
Guest speaker Lord Jim Knight addressed the students via video. He talked about how this pandemic robbed them of the proper moment they deserved. "Leaving school should be a big group hug - a celebration, a goodbye and a commemoration. However, like so many other things they have had to be postponed or re-invented. We should reflect on the last few months and that we will always remember it - and the new cliche question will be 'tell me, what did you learn from lockdown' ". He finished by saying that this generation is the generation of innovation. Your future is good - if you collectively decide to own that future. Take responsibility together to communicate, to innovate and to act. Good luck!"
A number of awards were given that included the Leadership award, Community Service award, and of course the Founders' award. Also this year for the first time we had two Valedictorians: Eemil Moisio and Yomna Mahmoud. Both achieving the same highest grades.
ACS Doha - 4 June
58 students graduated from ACS Doha, 8pm Doha time. The ceremony was conducted in both English and Arabic for the attending audience.
Head of School, Robert Cody, spoke to the class of 2020 about the fact that things don't always go as planned. How we chose to respond to that disappointment is what defines us, not the disappointment itself.
For the first time ever in ACS history, two Founders' awards were given this year. This award is presented to a High School graduating student who has demonstrated excellent academic achievement, consistent involvement in extra-curricular activities, school life, service to others, and school leadership.
The worthy winners were Michael Meijer and Sanjana Manon. The faculty decided it was too close to call.
ACS Cobham - 5 June
179 students graduated from ACS Cobham. The online event attracted over 700 students, family and friends watching around the world.
The ceremony was presented via Zoom Webinar and streamed live on YouTube for family and friends. Messages of congratulations could be seen on the chat from families across Europe.
Musical contributions included the Marimba Band, a saxophone solo, as well as a solo rendition of a Million Dreams.
MC'd by our very own Cy Iravani, contributions included video speeches from Barny Sandow, Head of School; Kristi Sheard, Acting High School Principal, and a number of students including the student chosen class speaker, graduate speaker and Valedictorian. Special awards at the event included Salutatorian, Valedictorian and the prized Founders' Award, which was given to Sarah Ogundare.
Racism and racial discrimination in any form are unacceptable.
ACS International Schools stand in solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement. We are proud of our culturally-diverse community of students, families, staff and alumni representing over 70 nationalities, and recognise that we have an important role to play in being a positive catalyst for change.
As an organisation of four schools, we have taken the time to reflect. we remain committed to educating ourselves and improving how we address inequality and injustice. Listening to our community has helped us form action plans around a number of themes. Our schools will be engaging with students, parents and staff to hear their voices and join us in developing this action plan. We are committing to:
Inequality and injustice are unacceptable. We will work with our community to build a better future, where everyone is safe, equally valued and able to fulfil their potential.