British Education

08.06.2022

BISU Year 13 Graduation 2022

On 1st June, the British International School Ukraine hosted an online event with our graduating Year 13 students, IB cohort 2020-2022, their family members, honoured guests and BISU teachers.

At this time, the BISU community are scattered around the world. Regardless of where we are, it’s so important that we come together as a gesture of solidarity and a sign of resistance to celebrate this momentous occasion and share special moments like this with each other.

The ceremony began with a minute’s silence to honour the memory of all those who have lost their lives as a result of the armed aggression of the Russian Federation.

The BISU Chair, Mrs Olga Zastavna, was the first speaker to address the attendees. She congratulated the graduates on obtaining a prestigious diploma: “A graduation day is always a big school event. It is a massive achievement of our students and our staff. But this year it becomes very special for BISU. Our country, Ukraine, is experiencing pain and suffering. At the same time, we are teaching the whole world a lesson. The lesson of heroism and remarkable courage. We all are proud of our country and our school”.

The graduation ceremony coincides with another important holiday – on 1st June, International Children’s Day is celebrated in many countries. It started almost 100 years ago, when Geneva hosted the first ‘World Conference for the Wellbeing of Children’. At BISU, we believe that a good quality education is the foundation of the health and well-being of every child.

The Chair added, “In March our school marked its 25th anniversary. In fact, it’s our first jubilee. Dear Graduates, you are and will always be the Jubilee graduation class. I know that you will be successful, the future is yours.”

The BISU Principal David Cole said, “We recognise the challenges that you, Graduates, have had to face; at first you contended with lockdowns and COVID restrictions. Now it’s the terrible war inflicted upon this great country and its people. Reaching this point is a truly remarkable achievement in such circumstances. It’s testament to the strength, resolve and can-do attitude which characterises Ukraine and the BISU community.”

Mr. Dale Anderson, Year 13 form tutor, presented the Class of 2022 and distributed certificates among them.

Mr. Anderson commented, “Please remember the resilience you’ve shown to get where you are now. But most importantly, remember the friends that you have made in your time at this school because with them you will share a special bond that will last a lifetime”.

A special COBIS award was awarded to Paulina Golub, this year’s Dux Litterarum, that demonstrated an outstanding contribution to school life.

Paulina Golub said, “We all worked hard to get to this day, and our work did not go to waste. A high school diploma is a wonderful tool in this world, one that opens many doors of opportunity for anyone who is lucky enough to have one. I know that we have so much to offer to the world as a generation. We will all go on to do great things and I could not be more excited for the next chapter of all our lives.

BISU was inundated with messages of support from around the world, and we were happy to share some of well wishes from COBIS representatives, the British International School in Tbilisi, Transylvania College and Avenor College in Bucharest.

We were proud to have Mr Stephen Priest, Chair of the Black Sea Schools Group and Principal of the British International School of Tbilisi as our keynote speaker and honoured guest, who delivered his inspiring message to the BISU graduates, “You are now at a stage of education where the future is yours. You’ve worked hard to get here. Whatever your future plans are, grasp them, face the challenges and be strong like Ukraine. Slava Ukraini!”

We are thankful to our Graduates, teachers, parents, staff and every member of our BISU community for their hard work and dedication that made the 2022 Graduation day possible.

Categories: British Education

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