154 students have now completed either the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme, well-recognised as a premium entrance qualification to universities around the world or the Advanced Placement (AP) programme, which is highly regarded by universities in North America.  Students will receive their full IB Diploma and AP results in July.
 
Chris Walker, High School Principal, commented: “The ceremony was a wonderful way to celebrate this year’s graduating class. I’m immensely proud of all their achievements and I wish the students every success as they embark on the next steps of their lives.”
 
During the ceremony, a number of school achievements were awarded to students. The Founders’ Award, for excellent academic achievement and involvement in school life, was presented to Morgan Peterson and Shreya Gupta was honoured with the Valedictorian Award for outstanding academic achievement.
 
As part of the celebrations the High School Singers performed a special rendition of ‘Evening Calm’ written by Saint-Saëns. 
 
Student speakers, Shreya Gupta and Yuta Nagano, spoke about their appreciation for all the support from parents, teachers and peers and offered advice to say that believing in something and having a cause was fundamental to achieving success and happiness in life, whilst Luke O’Malley considered the importance of friendship and his love of his time at ACS Cobham and appreciation for all that the school has to offer.
 
This year’s keynote speaker was Stephen Kircher, an ACS class of 2012 alumni, who is now a PhD candidate in the field of pediatric oncology at Duke University in North Carolina. His inspirational presentation covered his high school years at ACS as a founding member of the ACS Cancer Relief Organisation and his work as an undergraduate studying pediatric neuroblastoma.

Article supplied by Olivia James